Monday, October 26, 2015

Windows 10…a good move.



A few weeks ago I wrote about making sure that you pay attention to updates when they are released.  Updates allow software and hardware providers to make tweaks to their products and to address bugs that may have slipped through the evaluation process.  Perhaps more important, these updates often plug security holes that some kid living in his parents’ basement likes to find and exploit to your dismay.

Microsoft’s Windows 10 is really not an update, it is a whole new operating system for your computer replacing earlier versions Windows 7 and 8.   After I wrote about updates I got some questions about Windows 10 and if I thought it was a good idea to make the switch. 

I always recommend that you not be the first to try out a new piece of software, especially software like Windows that is the very life blood of your computer.  I can say now that for most people upgrading to Windows 10 is a great idea.  Enough time has lapsed since it was widely released last spring and most of the bugs have been worked out.

I found the Windows 10 installation very user friendly.  It is a multi-step process and Microsoft has developed a set of very clear instructions that guide you through the process.   If you have a computer that now uses either Windows 7 or 8, you most likely have received little reminders on the screen urging you should make the change.

The first step is to actually download the required software from Microsoft.  By clicking on the small Windows 10 upgrade icon located at the bottom right of your computer screen you will get instructions on how to proceed.  The downloading process can take as much as an hour or more depending on the speed of your internet connection.  Once loaded, you can decide when you actually want to activate the new software.   Be sure that you have at least one hour of uninterrupted time for this.  Don’t rush and read all the instructions. 

I found the process very intuitive and clear.  Once it is up and running, you will find that Windows 10 is far better and easier to use than Windows 8.  Many of the conventions found in Windows 7 are back.


I think Microsoft got this one right and I highly recommend that you begin using it as soon as possible.  Even better for most people, it is free.

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