Is Windows 10 worth it?

[shaqblogs2011]

If anyone has Windows 8, almost any new OS would be an upgrade. So yea, from the perspective of Win 8, I would not be surprised if Win10 is an upgrade!

However, Windows 7 itself was fantastic. Are there any reasons to consider upgrading to Windows 10 when coming From Win 7. Is there anything at all to gain other than a pretty looking new desktop with minor tweaks here and there?

Sure its a new OS and all the hype surrounding it. However, I am looking for completely grounded views rather than someone flying high on Cloud Nine.

 

[torbendalum]

DirectX 12 will only work on win 10, although we have not seen any real games using it yet, demos show a massive performance increase.

 

[Vivek Kairi]

Windows 10 is build beautifully and it runs also well. Upgrading from Windows 7 to 10 is a good option. Windows 10 has many new features and most important if u don't upgrade to windows 10 in a year then u have to pay for windows 10.
The best is the browser edge it will beat google chrome and Mozilla firefox.
Windows 10 also has the worlds best voice assistance Cortana which is there to help u out.

 

[Darkbreeze]

It depends on what you use your machine for. The OS feels distinctly faster to me, especially browsing even with older browsers rather than the included Edge browser.

DX12 will certainly offer benefits to gamers but we'll not be likely to reap any benefits from that until newer titles and drivers that support those features starting seeing implementation.

Another item to consider is the fact that mainstream support for Windows 7 ended in January of this year and extended support will end in 2020. Hardware vendors are NOT developing drivers for newer hardware on older operating systems and will be unlikely to do so just to satisfy those who don't want to upgrade which means anything you upgrade from this point forward stands a chance of not having driver support in Windows 7. Some newer drivers WILL work in Win7, but there are more all the time that will not. Developers will be focusing on drivers that work with 8.1 to some degree, but mainly their focus will be on making sure new drivers and hardware supports Windows 10. They have few if any financial reasons to continue supporting any OS older than Windows 8.

 

[PsyKhiqZero]

I feel as if windows 8.1 hate is more of trend that actual hate. I actually miss the full screen start menu. Having to scroll through the start menu to get some of my apps feels slower. Also losing the mouse gestures for moving and closing windows also feels slower in practice. You have to move the mouse to the top, wait for the menu bar, minimize the windows then move it to the new monitor, then re maximize it. I also feel the task bar icons are too small. I may be alone but I miss windows 8.1

 

[Cons29]

i will try to upgrade to win10 this weekend.

 

[Vivek Kairi]

yup it would be a great experience to u. If got any problem post it.

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... I have started my PC experience from DOS 3.0 up to 6.02 and then Windows 3.0. What I have learned from all the "Good" and "BAD" of it...
1) Only Buy retail ( have re-install/physical media in hand )
2) Never go through Upgrade paths. ( once again re-installs and KEYs were a pain )
3) Only Buy NEW OS if it will allow New Hardware/Technology to be used that you need.
4) Don't go update Crazy... If it ain't Broken then Don't try to fix it...
5) Windows 7 64 is a Solid OS. ( 64bit+>4gb memory ) What more do you need here?
6) Windows XP SP3 was a solid OS. ( PCIe GPU's, ACHI Sata and Great multi-monitor support )
7) Windows 98 was a solid OS. ( 32bit+USB support )

 

[torbendalum]

I feel as if windows 8.1 hate is more of trend that actual hate. I actually miss the full screen start menu. Having to scroll through the start menu to get some of my apps feels slower. Also losing the mouse gestures for moving and closing windows also feels slower in practice. You have to move the mouse to the top, wait for the menu bar, minimize the windows then move it to the new monitor, then re maximize it. I also feel the task bar icons are too small. I may be alone but I miss windows 8.1

If you go to settings -> personalization->start you can turn on full start screen

 

[TheTemest]

However, Windows 7 itself was fantastic. Are there any reasons to consider upgrading to Windows 10 when coming From Win 7. Is there anything at all to gain other than a pretty looking new desktop with minor tweaks here and there?

I'm in the same boat as you. I have Win 7 am will only consider Win 10. The point made about free upgrade to 10 is very valid as is the creation of driver software. Actual Microsoft support is kind of meh to me. Heck, XP is still being sold and people still using it. I will keep 7 as long as I humanly can until I can no longer get the free upgrade.....then I will move to 10.

I would like to know what the major differences are between 7 and 10 (other than 3). Is navigation within the OS vastly different? Used to be "Documents and Settings" folder which was the folder for navigating and then in win 7 it was gone. any similar changes in 10? Is it mainly a features issue (Direct X, Edge, etc.)? Have there been any "benchmarking" type studies on the differences in speed?

Thanks for asking the question.

 

[shaqblogs2011]

DirectX 12 will only work on win 10, although we have not seen any real games using it yet, demos show a massive performance increase.

For those who game this could be a primary reason to upgrade. But like you mentioned, no games available as yet.

It depends on what you use your machine for. The OS feels distinctly faster to me, especially browsing even with older browsers rather than the included Edge browser.

After Internet Explorer, I wonder if anyone would be adventurous enough to venture into a Microsoft based browser.
Fact that It took them this long to come up with an alternative to IE is jawdropping. I guess they were stuck in the glory of burying Netscape and co.

Another item to consider is the fact that mainstream support for Windows 7 ended in January of this year and extended support will end in 2020.

While support has its role. I would think for most of us, google is far quicker and quite reliable.

Hardware vendors are NOT developing drivers for newer hardware on older operating systems and will be unlikely to do so just to satisfy those who don't want to upgrade which means anything you upgrade from this point forward stands a chance of not having driver support in Windows 7. Some newer drivers WILL work in Win7, but there are more all the time that will not. Developers will be focusing on drivers that work with 8.1 to some degree, but mainly their focus will be on making sure new drivers and hardware supports Windows 10. They have few if any financial reasons to continue supporting any OS older than Windows 8.

This is probably another major reason to upgrade as time goes by, especially for those who change hardware often.

1) Only Buy retail ( have re-install/physical media in hand )
2) Never go through Upgrade paths. ( once again re-installs and KEYs were a pain )
......

1. Win 10 has a factory reset similar to phones so one may not need a clean install.
I personally use Norton ghost. It is more reliable and I can create an image with all software installed.

2. Can someone confirm on this..
From what I read, Win 10 eliminates the need for a Key when upgrading or for those who upgraded and then did a clean install.
Apparently, The first time we should upgrade from the older OS. Instead, if we do a clean install, one would need a Win 10 specific product key, or call support with the older key (not sure if this is an option).
But after the initial upgrade, you can go a clean install whenever you want with no key required. Hardware is linked with microsoft servers for activation (Mobo?).

See warning right at the end of the page @ Section: How to perform a clean installation of Windows.

http://arstechnica.co.uk/gadgets/2015/07/how-to-do-a-clean-install-of-windows-10-from-windows-7-and-8/

 

[shaqblogs2011]

However, Windows 7 itself was fantastic. Are there any reasons to consider upgrading to Windows 10 when coming From Win 7. Is there anything at all to gain other than a pretty looking new desktop with minor tweaks here and there?

I'm in the same boat as you. I have Win 7 am will only consider Win 10. The point made about free upgrade to 10 is very valid as is the creation of driver software. Actual Microsoft support is kind of meh to me. Heck, XP is still being sold and people still using it. I will keep 7 as long as I humanly can until I can no longer get the free upgrade.....then I will move to 10.

I would like to know what the major differences are between 7 and 10 (other than 3). Is navigation within the OS vastly different? Used to be "Documents and Settings" folder which was the folder for navigating and then in win 7 it was gone. any similar changes in 10? Is it mainly a features issue (Direct X, Edge, etc.)? Have there been any "benchmarking" type studies on the differences in speed?

Thanks for asking the question.

Agree.
So far... I don't see any reason why one would need to upgrade!

 

[TheTemest]

Agree.
So far... I don't see any reason why one would need to upgrade!

Even though I was in the minority I really liked Vista and the move to win 7 was radical for me. But after getting 7 and seeing the HUGE difference in memory being consumed thus making for much faster usage I was sold. I don't see that kind major change in any category in going from 7 to 10. Not that it makes any difference and i'm probably foolish, but I'm in the process of a new home/office build and just purchased Win 7 Pro instead of Win 10. It's not a question that 10 is bad, it's that I like 7 so much and 10 just hasn't given me a compelling reason to change.

 

[unplanned bacon]

There's not that much different to 8.1 tbh, plus some of my hardware is now non-functional

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... I consider Windows 10 a Windows 7 SP3 (8.0,8.1,10) at this point.
My experiences come from the Commercial repair of PC's... I had to deal with a lot OEM PC's, the Likes of Packard Bell (Hell), ACER, DELL, Compac... Etc.
1) It was typical to place a notice on top of the PC, to tell the Owners to make a BACKUP DISK before using... How many would do this? AND if they did, remember where they put it? Or have their Failing, Over loaded HD with a Norton Ghost backup Disk.
2) And then you had the problem of trying to find all those fly by night Chinese Modem/sound chip makers Drivers for these MB's... Drivers for these would not be included on Microsofts driver updates lists or DisKs.
3) Alot of problems came into the shop due these Upgrade Paths and attemps to Update every Update on the Microsoft Website.
4) I must admit I made some money From the Family PC due to the 'Screen Saver" craze... Windows didn't work well with Screensaver Apps on top of Screensaver Apps... B )
5) When you experience Data fragmentation, improper App/Update or Install/Removal, Poor drivers/hardware, Malware... Time is $... and you need to start at Ground Zero with a Family PC, and fresh install media (15-30 min )... The ISO download was game changer to help ME, help these people with their Computer. I hope this is always available to us.
6) Windows 8 and above... allows programing access to your MB BIO's? Is this a Good thing?
7) I have a feeling the free upgrade is Microsofts way to Fix their Bug of illegal copies? at our inconvenience.

 

[unplanned bacon]

It's more like Windows 8.1 service pack whatever. Not that much has changed to be honest. Just some cosmetic changes and Notifications and Cortana (which is bugged)

 

[popatim]

While my limited testing with win10 went ok a few things have come up that I havent tested yet.
1- with this upgrade key being on the cloud, how do you install 10 after replacing/upgrading your motherbd? I suspect it will fail and you will either be forced into buying a new license or reinstalling 7 onto your new system and upgrading again...as long as its within the free upgrade period that is.
2- I've recently read that we cannot prevent MS from installing updates. That even the choice of "let me chose when to install updates" has been removed for us. With a fair amount of botched updated on several win8/8.1 systems within the last few months alone, I certainly dont trust MS to keep vital systems stable esp when i need them most and don't have time to resolve the broken updates.

I've downloaded my install iso's for my free upgrades, the lack of dedicated key I find disturbing, but I've no plans to upgrade until at least SP1 comes out. LoL

 

[Darkbreeze]

I don't see any LEGAL way for them to not allow hardware upgrades when this is included in the Windows 10 EULA:

EULA for Windows 10 (4.b) explicitly allow us to transfer license to another PC if we upgraded from Retail copy of Windows 7/8.1. Here is the quote:

"If you acquired the software as stand-alone software (and also if you upgraded from software you acquired as stand-alone software), you may transfer the software to another device that belongs to you".

 

[shaqblogs2011]

So far, whatever i suspected initially seems to be true.
Just another hyped up new OS, with barely anything that has changed. I could be wrong, since I haven't had a chance to look at this OS yet. I had a look at the 30min presentation by Joe Belfiore and nothing that really fancy about the new OS.

I must admit, I had high hopes for their new OS with respect to touch based systems (mobiles/tablets).
When the consumer market largely is (or already has) moved, towards portable touch based systems, Microsoft has yet to come up with a user friendly OS that can even compete with other touch based OS. They blamed this on Nokia deal being a bad one rather than the OS itself. So many chinese phones are popping up every where. What makes them successful is the fact that they are using an OS which is highly customizable and with fantastic usability.

Microsoft is completely MIA and this OS is not going to change much of that. I hope I am wrong since I am looking forward to a good windows based OS for a mobile/tablet. But this doesn't seem like its gonna happen anytime soon.

 

[TheTemest]

While my limited testing with win10 went ok a few things have come up that I havent tested yet.
1- with this upgrade key being on the cloud, how do you install 10 after replacing/upgrading your motherbd? I suspect it will fail and you will either be forced into buying a new license or reinstalling 7 onto your new system and upgrading again...as long as its within the free upgrade period that is.

I don't see any LEGAL way for them to not allow hardware upgrades when this is included in the Windows 10 EULA:

EULA for Windows 10 (4.b) explicitly allow us to transfer license to another PC if we upgraded from Retail copy of Windows 7/8.1. Here is the quote:

"If you acquired the software as stand-alone software (and also if you upgraded from software you acquired as stand-alone software), you may transfer the software to another device that belongs to you".

Interesting. Seeing as how licenses are tied to a computer's mobo, this should be interesting as to whether they actually will allow upgrading to 10 if the mobo itself is upgraded.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Windows 8.1 was the same. The bios id string which was largely determined by the motherboard was the relevant factor and it too allowed for motherboard changes despite the necessity to also reactivate after the change. It did however ALLOW the reactivation as should Win10. Until we have verification however it's speculation, but it's speculation based on the prior history of Windows 8 and 8.1, and the fact that it's outlined in their EULA. What's tied, can be untied, and retied. It may require a phone call to the Microsoft automated activation hotline, or it may not. As it stands now, even systems without currently activated operating systems are showing activated platforms after installation so who knows.

 

[sheriff12]

I have Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit on one of my older computers. When I tried to install the upgrade to 10, it wouldn't work. Microsoft said my GPU isn't good enough for 10. I have run six different graphics programs with that GPU without any problems. Microsoft suggested I buy a new computer. That always seems to be their solution, spend a lot of money. The GPU I am talking about is a GeForce 7100.

 

[Darkbreeze]

That's a VERY old graphics processor platform. Even some of the HD series cards or integrated adapters are having issues with driver support like the older integrated HD 4200 series and 5000 series, so that recommendation isn't surprising. Rather than a new computer, at least temporarily, a newer graphics card would probably solve the issue, unless it's a laptop.

 

[jimlp12]

I've been running Windows 7 64-bit on my desktop for years, I thought Windows 10 would be great.... Using the "Media Tool" I downloaded the upgrade to a 8GB flash drive .... It did not work, so I downloaded the .ISO to my Hard Drive and burned it on a DVD. The install went good, Windows 10 is sharp, fast but not problem free. It is also NOT Free as with lots of the new features and Apps, if you want to use them, you need a subscription.... In my own opinion that sucks... I am happy with Windows 7 64-bit it gets things done and it wont cost me extra $ to have some other fancy crap on my Desktop...that I dont need...!

 

[Darkbreeze]

I am happy with Windows 7 64-bit it gets things done and it wont cost me extra $ to have some other fancy crap on my Desktop...that I dont need...!

I hope that also includes new hardware, as some of the newer stuff already lacks windows 7 driver support and in six months to a year you can bet pretty much nothing will have compatible drivers that can be used on that OS.