General Chat

If it gets stuck next time you try it then stop it and start the update via the Windows Update in the Start menu.

That part should only take a few seconds. After that it takes a short while to download the files and an hour or so to do the install.

It should take only a fraction of that time

nope usually don't have any download probs this was the 1st..... no dial up either x

Blimey - are you on a particularly slow connection?

Or maybe dial up?

windows 10....

well today at 8am it started its download and at 6.30pm it was still doing it god it was only at 63 % i got so fed up waiting i stopped it.... :-(

Rollo - love the graphics and revolutions comment.

Mayfield - there are a number of flaws in introducing a subscription service for Windows.

The biggest is that people will simply not subscribe.

When you consider that some 60% or so of the market share is currently Windows 7 with Windows 8.1 trailing at about 13% and only just ahead of the dinosaur XP it is easy to see that the majority of users are not overly interested in running the most up-to-date OS. They prefer to stick with what they have from both a cost and a "comfort zone" point of view.

A misguided opinion could well be "why should I start paying for something when I can run the wonderful, creaking XP for free?" This attitude is, of course, rather nonsensical because anyone insisting on continuing to run XP is leaving themselves totally open to a great many problems - in both security and stability terms.

In addition, whilst some will stick with their existing OS, others (and potentially it could be a significant number for various reasons, not least of which is that it is free) may at least consider migrating to Linux.

I do wonder if getting everyone on the same platform (which makes sense in principle) is a start towards making windows a subscription service as is the case with some of the products like 365 they now market.

Errol is correct in saying that most users won't be able to stop automatic updating.

However:
This especially affects users on the "Home" version those with "Pro" or above have the same choices as with Win7.
Even with the "Home" version automatic updating can be disabled and set the way you want with (as ever) a few registry tweaks. As Errol says such tweaks will not appeal to most users but ez2use gadgets won't take long to appear. Even in standard format updates can be stalled until a broadband connection is available.

Microsoft's thinking is that the uptake of security updates was very poor and this was a major factor in the rise of XP bot farming.

The biggest downside is that autoupdates include Microsoft's own hardware drivers. The default drivers for graphics cards are mostly notable for lack of performance/features which you only get from the OEM drivers. Gamers and graphics designers are not very likely to use Windows Home and will already know to give MS & graphics drivers a wide berth. OTOH maybe if you have problems with your revolutions it may be a "good thing".

ps: no built in support for floppy disks ( no, Mr Magoo not now).

One thing is for sure. Microsoft are once again trying to create their own walled garden. Just how many software developers and civil servants, NHS execs and so on will have to be given free tools, mobile phones and junkets to TechDev to achieve this is anybody's guess.

I downloaded it a couple of days ago, it doesn't seem much different to Windows 8 to me, but I had the desktop set for the homepage for that as well

The only problem I had is that after a day, the windows key stopped working, it said there was a critical error with windows and cortana, which would be fixed by signing out then in again. That didn't happen, it just left me in a loop. Right clicking on the windows key gave me an option to shut down. On start up it was fine, but it happened again. I went looking for updates which are now in settings not the control panel. After I downloaded the available updates, it has been fine (touch plastic)

The only thing I don't seem to have is the Cortana thing, but I don't use the Apple version on my Ipad, so I wont miss it

I think that two of the most important (if not vital) things to consider are that:

1. If you do a complete install and then decide you don't like it, you only have a month in which to roll your system back to your previous version of Windows (I think).

2. This is perhaps the most serious flaw in Win 10 - my understanding is that most users will not be able to turn automatic updates off which has very serious implications. You will no longer be able to choose which updates you want - something that some people consider to be a somewhat sneaky trick on the part of Microsoft.

EM received 31/7

"When will my free upgrade arrive?

You’ve already reserved, so your free upgrade is on the way. This is the largest software upgrade event ever and we’re managing it so everyone has a great experience.

Your notification to upgrade could come as soon as a few days or in a few weeks. "

In time for Christmas then.....?

:-D :-D :-D :-D @ Graham and Mayfield!

Thank you Elizabeth :-)

I am cogitating, deliberating, ruminating even :-S.....

.......... and still as indecisive as ever! :-S :-S :-D

The last edition of Computeractive No. 454 has a major issue of "Windowsd 10 should you upgrade" - It is a pretty detailed article discussing different systems etc. and what advantages and drawbacks there would be with each one - might be worth getting hold of if you can (my issue 455 arrived this morning). I realise Rollo and Errol might not agree with all of it! -but it might a worthwhile addition for your market research!

Go on JemimaFawr live life on the edge, push it, you know you want to! :-D :-D

Don't do it Jem! Or this will happen...

http://img.pandawhale.com/post-1592-Computer-Reaction-Face-RnfY.gif

I now have a "Get Windows 10" icon / button on my laptop- a Windows 7 one.

I am not very computer literate and not too good with change in general! :-S

Will I be sorry if I press the button? :-0 :-0 :-0

You can download the Windows 10 ISO from here (free):

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO

Installation will of course need a key.

VISTA users will have top do a clean install and are NOT eligible for the free upgrade which applies to Win7, Win 8.x only. If the machine ran VISTA it will for sure run Win10 which is much more efficient. Major gotcha to watch out for is unsigned drivers.

So far I have had mixed success dual booting with linux but it is running OK in a VM where I can keep it under control.

Win10 would have been real whizz two or three years ago and is what Win8 should have been. Now though how relevant is it ?

Corporations and biz users are clinging limpet like to Win7 and will not rush in to say the least.

Among users of high end kit gamers are not going to be much interested as it will throw up no end of hitches. Graphics designers for the most part prefer their Macs. Serious CAD designers don't do Windows though small shops using AutoCad might UG.

Retail is moving away from the desktop/laptop onto apps focused on smart phones and smart tvs. Older TVs can be made smart using stuff such as ChromeCast and Amazon Fire.

That is why the UG is free even Microsoft can feel that disruptive change is happening and the 30 year reign of the desktop PC is drawing to a close. What Microsoft need is for Win10 in mobile devices to catch light and even better for smart TV makers to use Win10 rather than Android. They are a very, very long way behind the curve thanks to Steve Bullmer.

For users of Win10 the quest has led Microsoft to seriously strip down the OS to essentials and improve efficiency and security. The reslt is that it will run real fast and most anything made since 2005 with a noticable speed up. Even the browser is better though IE is still lurking should you need it.

Stella - you were able to upgrade to 10 from Vista?

I would recommend running it as a dual boot so that you can return easily to your existing Win 7, 8, 8.1 if you have problems.

Also, remember to back up absolutely everything if installing a new OS.

As Kay says some security may have issues. Norton is not yet compatible with the new Edge browser they are advising you use Firefox or another supported browser for the time being.

Make sure your security is compatible and up dated before you installl 10,,,,,not all Kaspersky versions are.