Solved To upgrade to Windows 10 or not

[Vonda]

I got an icon stating that I can reserve the free upgrade to windows 10.
Since I am technically challenged, and have no real issues (at this time) with Windows 7 SP1, would it be just as well not to upgrade to Windows 10?

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Win 7's EOL (End Of Life) isn't until 01/14/2020 so, if you would feel more comfortable staying with Win 7, there is no reason not to.

 

[Vonda]

Thank you, I'll stick with Windows 7 then if there are no huge benefits to be had by upgrading.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
As far as I've noticed this is just a reservation M$ is still working on a stable version to pass through the windows update system,
If you want to test win-10tp use VMware and do it so it's easily removed later if not your cup of tea

 

[Vonda]

Thank you for the additional information.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I got an icon stating that I can reserve the free upgrade to windows 10.
Since I am technically challenged, and have no real issues (at this time) with Windows 7 SP1, would it be just as well not to upgrade to Windows 10?

You might consider the free upgrade if only because Windows 10 will NOT be free beginning circa July 29, 2016--a little over a year. The cost to you after that date will likely be between $100 and $200.

I'm pretty much in the same situation as you---I have no issues with Win 7 and find nothing particularly compelling about Win 10.

But--I will likely accept the free upgrade circa October or November when I build a new PC. Or possibly even buy a retail DVD of Windows 10.

Not because Win 10 is fantastic, but because I figure I can become accustomed to it and because Win 7 is getting closer to End Of Life every month. I'm guessing I may as well get on the train (most likely at no charge--the free upgrade) rather than wait for another train (Windows to my personal exact specifications, also free) that may never in fact arrive.

I'll admit that the "free" factor has some influence on a cheap SOB like myself. If I had to pay $100 plus for this move, I'd probably sit back and wait a year or two.

And if I were not going to build a new PC this fall, I'd almost certainly wait a year or two.

The only things that might cause me not to accept the free upgrade are the as yet unclear details regarding licensing, moving to a new motherboard, updating (what is now called "Windows Update"), or some totally unforeseen bombshell about functionality or software incompatibilities. There's maybe one chance in three that a deal-breaker like that will show up.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I'm one of the "Luddites" that will not be accepting the "free' upgrade to Win 10. I do not like some of Win 10's new "features" and I do not want to lose some of the features being discontinued in Win 10, most notably WMC. With Win 8.x, I suggested to people on the fence to wait until it was out on computers in the stores and play with it there; that would be a good idea with Win 10. As with Win 8.x, there are people who will love Win 10 and others who will detest it.

One of the biggest issues I have with the "free" upgrade is you have to use an existing Win 7 license for the upgrade. It's still not clear if one can revert back to the original version of the license should Win 10 not pan out for someone. I have three retail versions of Win 7 I do not want to risk losing so I would prefer to buy a license if I ever decide to go to Win 10. Also, the released version of a new Windows OS is rarely the same as the preview version so it's always best to wait a bit before committing. The "free" upgrade offer will be good for a year so it won't hurt to wait a while to see how things pan out.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

It's still not clear if one can revert back to the original version of the license should Win 10 not pan out for someone.

I can't give you the link, but ...................


Within the last 24 hours, I saw an allegation on some MS site that you could revert, BUT that your old Product Key would be kept at the "Windows Store", with which you would presumably have to interact in some way.

Is that aka the "Microsoft Store" thingy, where you buy all those cute insufferable apps, where I've never even looked?

If true, would that imply that you MUST have and use a "Microsoft account" as opposed to a "local account"---at least if you care about reverting?

I do not know if the allegation is true and I certainly don't know what can of worms that opens.

These are the types of issues that make me want to hold my fire on taking the upgrade, but I am committed to a rebuild and hate to have to go through a complete clean install/config of Win 7 on new hardware this fall and then do it again on Win 10 only six months or a year later, after I'm satisfied that Win 10 is sane.

 

[ThrashZone]

System image should take care of that concern of backing out of 10 :/
But yes indeed you need a M$ account to sign into the store app but you can be using a local account too while signing into the store app,
Apps can be signed into separately M$ just does not recommend it = so what

 

[Vonda]

I am decided to stick with Windows 7 since it will be supported for another five years.
Beside that, I probably need to buy an other PC within five years, which would have most likely the Windows 10 preinstalled. In any case, when it becomes available, I shall download it but only install it if the need arises. Again, thank you all for the replies as it gives me some guidance on how to proceed.

 

[Vonda]

If I download Windows 10 on to a USB stick, can I still install the Windows 10 past the year allowed for the free upgrade?

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
That install media would have to be created in an already upgraded system,
Windows 10 - Upgrade Installation - Windows 10 Forums
An iso simply downloaded would have no system to be tied to so I would think it would not unless M$ extends the free upgrade date.

 

[Vonda]

Sorry for being so dense, but is the upgrade via the windows update the same as using the Media Creation Tool? Thanks

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Well the media creation tool will download the win-10 and you run it

If you already have the windows update you can run it this way in step 4,
Windows 10 - Upgrade Installation - Windows 10 Forums

So there is 4 different ways to upgrade to windows 10
Windows 10 - Upgrade Installation - Windows 10 Forums

Regardless of how or which path you should first create a reliable system image and recovery disk before you jump in
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html

 

[Vonda]

Thanks again, I should be good to go by the time I decide to upgrade.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Many people didn't make system images with a reliable process and regretted it soon after from either errors in the upgrade process or simply changed their minds and got errors using 10's system restore
So don't be one of those people
Good luck

 

[Vonda]

I managed to make an image of my system with Macrium a while ago with the help of forum members. I shall make sure and make another one and replace the old one on my external Hard Drive. Thanks for all the help.