Free Windows 10

[C.G.]

Another one of my concerns is

Will the program's I have now work with 10?

Going from XP to win 7 allowed me to spend quality time searching for drivers and updating software as they made it comparable with Win 7

If you have the Get Windows 10 app click on upper left and you can run a compatibility check.

[POLICESTATE]

So I am on Win 7 and the icon popped up today to download/ free upgrade Windows 10.

What are your thoughts?

I'm sticking with Windows 7 until 10 is proven to be stable and free of too much bloat (or at least configurable away without pulling teeth).

Likely my gaming system will continue on with Windows, even to 10 or 11 at some point. However by the time Windows 7 is retired I will be moved onto Linux for most of my systems.

[high_revs]

Do a search on ms forum for a clean windows 10 install and you will get more then one choice of how to do a clean install, and yes, you will be able to get ISO to burn your own DVD or flash drive. You will be able to get a DVD from Microsoft at a later date at some nominal charge.

thanks. I heard yesterday for another colleague there'll be a way to 'burn' recovery disks but i'm not sure if this is a "snapshot" of the system after the upgrade with all my files, or if it's just the win10 install files. so per your post, looks like i can get the iso and burn it myself. kewl!

there's more than one way to do a clean-install? i'll have to check the forum. for my win7, i usually wipe the whole thing and i put all my dell drivers in a usb flash stick. install new os and and install drivers in a particular sequence as recommended though i may have to peruse the dell website if there are win10 specific drivers, or if the win7 will work.

the other option i can do is revert to an acronis image right after win7 and driver install, and then re-run the upgrade if they allow me to re-run. then i can just re-install what i need like ms office and my browsers and then my files. nothing much i really use aside from malware bytes, maybe a few small apps like fastone.

i had to do non-recovery install since i use a msata, and the dell dbar dvd's so not support that setup due to irst.

for my 8.1 desktop that gets even less use, i'll probably just let it upgrade itself. been lazy doing getting the drivers, put on stick, sort, etc. and do a os only and driver install w/o dbar.

[C.G.]

Allegedly there will be an option to do a clean install at upgrade time; if that doesn't work you can do a non-recovery reinstall afterwards and it will be a clean install. Since for the first time in a long time I was not an "insider" for this OS, I will have to rely on Microsoft's directions.

[C.G.]

Here is a tutorial on how to install windows 10 from usb flash drive or DVD:

http://www.intowindows.com/install-windows-10-from-usb-drive/

[JAFGO]

I'm sticking with Windows 7 until 10 is proven to be stable and free of too much bloat (or at least configurable away without pulling teeth).

My sentiments as well. Windows 7 supports security updates 'til 2020.

I still have one laptop running VISTA that's used for unsecured casual Internet use and works fine for the purpose. Updates are available through 2017. Might purchase a Win 10 laptop in '17, but I ain't rushing things.

[iMigraine]

My only concern is if Windows 10 becomes a subscription based OS akin to Adobe cloud. "Get Windows 10 Free*" for the first year, then pay $$ per month.

[C.G.]

My only concern is if Windows 10 becomes a subscription based OS akin to Adobe cloud. "Get Windows 10 Free*" for the first year, then pay $$ per month.

I am sure it will eventually become subscription on new machines, but if you download now it will not be a subscription.

[damndave]

My laptop has Win 8.1 and I hate it. Upgrading that one forsure.

My desktop is on Win 7 and love it. Will most likely wait to do the upgrade until it's proven to be stable.

[Sabot]

Windows Update failed the upgrade 3X. I had to install the Media Creation Tool and everything went off without a hitch. All my icons look cartoonish now.

[high_revs]

Windows Update failed the upgrade 3X. I had to install the Media Creation Tool and everything went off without a hitch. All my icons look cartoonish now.

oddly, some is a little off for me now too. the graphics for some screens like FF look a little softer and not as sharp. i see if it when looking at device driver too.

i already installed new intel drivers. maybe i need to update the nvidia geforce gt 640m driver but the nvidea utility doesn't have an update driver function. hmmm

otherwise, still mostly happy. some text sizing changed in my quicken 2014 though too.

[Paulo]

smooth upgrade for me.

[Tokarevman]

There is only one DirectX12 game out, and it's a Beta at that.
It is not worth it. You'll just be another intercom extension for big brother.
No thanks.

[wpage]

This...

I learned LONG ago to NEVER be an early adopter of any OS update. Will wait at least a year until after Win 10 is released to install it AFTER I review all of the complaints about it and am assured that the then current version is bug/problem free.

It also takes at least that long for other software developers to modify their programs for use w/any major OS revision. I used an XP machine for years w/o problems before buying a Win7 machine after which I had to also upgrade all of the key software that I use.

[ldsnet]

I just installed Linux Mint 17.1 and am blown away by how nice it is. Everything works including my ptrs and wifi. No need for any drivers etc. Its rock solid so far and wont get infected every 30 seconds like my old win7-8-xp-me- etc did.

Don't think for ONE SECOND that a standard Linux distribution is safe because it isn't Windows. True most virus and malware are written for exploits in Internet Explorer and the other 3rd party software. But an improperly configured Linux box is actually more susceptible to intrusion than Windows (I hear MacOs is actually easier to get into, but that is just what I have read).

http://thehackernews.com/2015/02/vulnerable-operating-system.html

http://www.zdnet.com/article/mac-os-x-is-the-most-vulnerable-os-claims-security-firm/

What I really hate about Microsoft, is what I hear is going to happen down the road . . . In 20+ years I have been using computers, Microsoft has NEVER given away an operating system for free. I hear eventually they are shifting to a "pay to play" service, where you will pay a monthly (yearly) fee to use their OS and software . . . they are giving it away now to get everyone on board with the new system before they make the switch . . .

http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2015/05/12/free-windows-10-has-high-cost/