DaveHam Loc: Reading UK

Microsoft has stated that they will not produce another Windows version after W10 but rather add upgrades to W10 - until their accountants tell them to do otherwise.

As everything since XP has been basically the same operating system with tinkering to features like the networking and the 'user experience' (sometimes quite bad) this could be seen as perhaps making a virtue out of a fact.

What it also means is - subject to accountants - we will all end up using W10 at some point.

We tried an evaluation version of W10. As usual everything has been relocated into new places though much of it looks like it is still W7 or W8 underneath. It is reliable except that some old software was difficult to load. One thing we did note was the need for extra RAM - 16 gig was the general view of being the minimum with CS6. Also having a solid state disk for the OS was a good more - saves you loosing time whenever you start the PC up while the OS loads.

Kuzano

As it stands now... incorrect. And that will be ongoing discussion when talking about "Windows as a Service". Bears scrutiny.

The real issue is to get the system stable and navigable, which is what Windows 10 seems to be doing well. The Windows Insider program now exceeds 5 million users, who seem to be relatively happy with what they are experiencing and talking about.

Kuzano

As long as you heed these proviso's with SSD.

Never Defragment the drive (SSD)
TURN OFF File indexing on the drive.
Only use an SSD drive large enough for programs and applications. Storage should be on previous technologies. That means a 128 or 250 Gb SSD drive should be the most you invest in this Solid State technology.

Kuzano

On the machines I have put Windows 10 on, (Most originally XP hardware), I have simply hooked up printers and external wireless devices and had the system search the internet. Have always found and loaded a current driver for 10, in short order and without fail.

Kuzano

Over 5 million users are on the Windows Insider Program for Windows 10. The experience has been solid and well received. Personally, I have not talked to all 5 million people, but the internet chatter has been good.

The first time I loaded it, I just bit the bullet and upgraded my daily work machine. Have now used it on 5 computers.

Works well on old hardware and have only had ONE audio driver glitch that went away in three days.

I dumped a glass of water on my daily work laptop, and shorted it out. Back in business in a half hour by doing this.

I simply (I'll try anything) put the hard drive into another laptop, and turned it on. After a short period (less than five minutes) of adjusting to the new hardware, up and running. No "brain farts" whatsoever. That laptop is my "coffee shop" internet cafe machine and has worked flawlessly on 10 for over a week now. It has done every chore I normally do in daily operations.

Rickyb

I don't have an old pc to try it on. I threw them all out.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Hi,

I use Win 7 Pro 64bit and am very happy. However, I am looking forward to Win 10. I will wait 6 months or so to see reviews, fixes, ... In general, I do not jump on new versions immediately. Even Apple IOS's need repair and fixes. I let the "I must have the latest of everything crowd" test the waters. It's always a choice to upgrade or not.

BTW: I understand Windows Media is not compatible with Win 10. So installation of a stand alone program will be necessary. There are many available online.

Good luck,
Mark :-)

houdel Loc: Chase, Michigan USA

Well, yes and no. If you have a generic computer, fine. If you have one made by a big player like Dell or HP, maybe not. The big guys tweak their supplied OS and add a lot of hardware specific tweaks and drivers which you will lose if you nuke and repave. Chances are you will never get the same level of performance back. You might be able to go to the computer maker's website and download some of what you lost, but most of it you wouldn't even know existed anyhow.

GLS Loc: MIdwest

No. Windows 10 upgrade is free from July 29th, 2015 - July 29th, 2016. There will be no subscription service thereafter. Here is a link that may help answer your question more thoroughly.

http://www.howtogeek.com/220957/no-windows-10-won%E2%80%99t-require-a-subscription-heres-how-microsoft-plans-on-making-money-instead/

jamescoz

I have XP Pro and it is working great with the programs I use. Since MS quit supporting XP I have had NO problems. Most of their updates were for security which I really do not need. The hackers and such have shifted their attention to the latest OSs and do not bother with XP any more.
Before you go installing a new OS, think about weather or not you really need it!
jamescoz

BatManPete Loc: Way Up North!

==========
My XP is ancient… since the beginning of time…. Has all up-dates etc.
Pulled the plug on Internet 14 months ago…..when a NEW Dell Insperion showed up’ XP just cruises along day after day….I have NO intention of moving my prize program — COREL-11 to Insp. Machine. No Hiccups etc. Maybe SOMEDAY when I learn to handle the Insperion efficiently, like I know the XP… I mite change things around…
Plus XP has a better window view of all wildlife romping around in Aldo Léopold Center Conservancy, romping around, day and night.

[color=red]http://gochipmunk.com/html/leopold1.html[color=black]

In ur’ travels with

[b]V-10[/u], You must have tried locating items using the choice on right end of [color=red]look for screen: <maintenance[color=black] —

Once by accident- I had a box pop-up with a command strings I created. I say “by accident” — ‘cause I didn’t do anything to cause it to pop-up “That I know of.”

Anyone know what the magic is?

Or IS there a link where a person can find out how to CREATE SEARCH’S FOR VER. 8.1 or 10?¿? I looked at what GEEK Squad has. Did not find anything.

I’ve found that using INSPERION trying to search for something using begin date'\. . . .end date is not as clever as XP. All U had to do was select choices, plus searching for the file name using i.e. . [[*cloth*fish*.cdr]] = looking for ((any file name containing “cloth” or “fish”)) The XP system saved it for the next time U needed it. A list of all previous searches would pop up. U clicked a choice. Next — set the date range [from month/date TO month/date] A few seconds or 3 minutes . . . . the files were listed on screen.

Kuzano

Just try it on the one you just posted from?

What... no Cojones?

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

I'm using the personally despised 8.1 and have clenched, crossed fingers hoping 10 is worth the upgrade effort, even for free. If windows is moving to the cloud, I will be looking elsewhere next year regardless how well it performs.

Erdos2 Loc: Vancouver, WA

This is one of the few good postings to the original question. It is based on facts from testing, not generalities from those who don't know.

Due to my fears from the old generalities, I did not participate in the Windows Insider Program and install the test releases of Windows 10. I didn't want to commit one of my machines to something that might have major issues. Based on the "internet chatter", I wish I had signed up to install it on one of my machines.

I really like that Microsoft changed/extended their test strategy from controlled beta programs with manufacturers and limited other testers to this insider program. With over 5 million testers, they are sure to have hit most of the issues. In the next month or so, I am expecting to hear mainly good things but there will be some minor issues, like people needing to upgrade drivers for some older peripherals. (ie. "xyz didn't work, so I had to go find a solution." )

I have been working with windows products since 1.0 when I was on a team that wrote drivers for scanners at the time windows was first introduced. (Anybody heard of HP Scanning Gallery 1.0) Over the years, there have been good and bad versions. I'll be upgrading 3 of my 4 computers at home immediately. The 4th one is a 9 year old 32 bit desktop running Vista. I would upgrade it if it was a free upgrade, but I would rather buy a new desktop than spend the $ to upgrade it. One laptop will be getting the Pro version and the other two will be getting the home version, so I will be able to tell how Microsoft handles the differences. (ex: how updates are handled, what features are present in each, etc.)

As for suggestions on upgrading, I think it depends on the type of person you are and your system. The closer your system is to out of the box or only uses major software, the more likely it will be a smooth upgrade. If you are willing to go find drivers for the few odd ball devices, then you should be ok too.

If you are a cautious person in general, waiting a couple months is a good idea. With all those who are going to upgrade right away, there will be plenty of feedback on the state of the original release. If 5 million testers aren't enough, then maybe the next 5 or 10 million will be enough.

Jerry

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Nice synopsis Jerry.
Thanks,
Mark :)