Win7 to Win10 Possibilities?

[gumboman]

Anyone exploring the possibilities of moving from Win7 to Win10 upon release.
Anyone with experience with Win10 can share insights for Win7 users - probably
done before, but haven't seen much lately (mainly just Win8 to Win10).

Thanks
gumboman

 

[DavidE]

Have you been following the discussions on sister site Windows 10 forums ?

Windows 10 Forums

 

[gregrocker]

I installed it the beginning of October and haven't been back to Windows 7 since. It is faster, feels more modern, and I like the Explorer improvements including graphing of copy operations. I thought I'd miss Aero but haven't. I find using my MS Account to Log On unintrusive, so I can root User folders in Skydrive as a convenient way to backup and sync devices easily.

For desktop users, the Windows 8 style apps are pushed to the side of a real Start menu where they can be trialed, ignored, hidden or uninstalled. But so far I like the Mail app where i've merged all 5 of my web mailboxes in one GUI which alerts me with a chime and "toast" popup when I have mail and from whom.

So for this desktop user appalled by how MS in Windows 8 seemed to abandon a billion customers who they had raised on the desktop, it offers a solid and logical successor to Windows 7 with enough improvement to justify transition in due time. What's more, even though it's not even in beta yet, it is as stable as Win7 ever was up to the RTM.

 

[Callender]

I used XP for as long as possible, skipped Vista and moved to 7. Now I'm going to skip Windows 8 and move to Windows 10.

 

[doctore]

My biggest gripe with 8 was the dumbing down of basic functions and forcing the use of apps. For example, something as simple as adding new user was turned into a real hustle and a ton of head scratching...

From the little play I had with 10 - I don't see me abandoning 7 voluntarily...

 

[gregrocker]

They do need to sort out the dualing controls between Windows 7 style settings and Windows 8 style PC Settings. I still seek out the Win7 controls in setting network, power options, backup, etc. From what I've seen of the corresponding PC Settings, a whole lot of people would be unhappy with only having them.

But there is plenty of chance to give feedback and a sense that they're actually listening, as opposed to Windows 8 where we learned years later they'd never even measured the number of users who installed 3rd party Start Menus.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Still too early to tell,
If you have and like Bing desktop search you might like the new start button because that is the default search and so far can not be removed or turned off.
Probably my biggest annoyance beside some other basic customizations are not there,

But not as near as bad as 8-8.1 is.
But still needs the same basic hacks to bring back aero and remove the bing search.
7 is perfect the way it is without any hacks
So upgrade from 7 no way 8.1 is toast though

 

[whs]

They do need to sort out the dualing controls between Windows 7 style settings and Windows 8 style PC Settings

I like the 2 options. For most settings I still use the good old Control; Panel. But for some settings the new interface is more convenient - e.g. for pairing bluetooth. There are also good improvements in other settings areas - e.g. for tuning high contrast skins.

Btw - I use the 8.1 start page in 10 and not that ridiculous start menu twitter.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Anyone exploring the possibilities of moving from Win7 to Win10 upon release.
Anyone with experience with Win10 can share insights for Win7 users - probably
done before, but haven't seen much lately (mainly just Win8 to Win10).

Thanks
gumboman

I'd think that relatively few will change from 7 to 10 on an existing PC. I don't hear anyone saying that 10 is irresistible or a night and day improvement in any area. "Enthusiasts" will of course install it to existing PCs on day one.

However, I also doubt that few who buy a new OEM PC or build a new PC at home will stay with 7. The former will be forced to go with 10 and the latter will have to consider if they want to put a 5 1/2 to 6 year old OS on entirely new hardware.

I'm going to build a new Intel Skylake machine in the next 9 to 12 months and will go with Windows 10 unless:

1: It is unusually expensive--highly unlikely I'd guess.

2: Microsoft adopts some ridiculous method for licensing, installing, or updating---such as a subscription model or mandatory use of a Microsoft account rather than a purely local install. I give this maybe a 10 percent chance.

3: Unresolvable compatibility issues with any of my most used applications.

4: Some as yet unknown and unforeseen issue with the interface that would force a major change in my ingrained habits and run afoul of my well-documented lack of patience. Highly unlikely as long as there isn't a lot of clutter and I can get by the "tiles" thing.

I'd guess there is no more than a 20% chance of any of those reasons, so I'm likely going for it.

I haven't even looked at the Tech Preview and have no intentions. But I'm all ears about any issues.

 

[gregrocker]

I doubt if they'll leave us with Dual controls. Last I heard they are leaning toward PC Settings a la 8. But having both would be a good compromise.

What's wrong with the Start Menu? Look and feels like updated Win7 to me. Twitter?



I like the way the colors change. Hmmmm colors! :drool:

 

[whs]

Greg, if I want tiles, I like them to be big and not tiny where I cannot read anything. And I never liked All Programs (now called All Apps). The full size Apps page of 8.1 is a lot better.

 

[sandravlado]

I still use Windows 7 at home, but have Windows 10 as a VM where I can play with it.
It seems nice, but it is still to tell if it is going to be good for me.
My wife has Windows 8 on a tablet, and I quite like it. Never showed any issues.
So, if it is going to be like Windows 8 and better, I am up for it.
But I still think that Windows8/10 are more tablet versions then PC ones.

I was relieved when they returned Windows button in Windows 2012 R2. I've found it really hard navigating.

 

[ThrashZone]

Default "Search Everywhere" Grego that's what's wrong with it
Also no option to use just text on the right column.
Other than that nothing but it deal breaker and a third party will need to be used either start8 or classic shell.

 

[AddRAM]

I would never replace 7 with 10, no way.

On a totally new machine yes, but on the same, no way, I Love 7

Maybe a dual boot on a new Samsung

 

[gregrocker]

I just ignore the default search to Bing and don't ever see it. When I'm using the Search box it is to quickly find a file or program.

I never use the Search box for web searches anyway - that's what the browser search box is for.

 

[Callender]

Free Windows 10?

Like AddRAM says - I'd like to keep Windows 7 until it becomes too problematic. The trouble is that MS seems to have announced that Windows 10 will be free for users upgrading from 7 or 8.

Windows 10 will be a free upgrade for Windows 7 and 8 users

 

[AddRAM]

Only for a year, according to your link.

Did the new build come out today ?

 

[Callender]

New Build?

Only for a year, according to your link.

Did the new build come out today ?

Don't know about that. I guess they're making some announcements:

Windows 10: The next chapter - 21st Jan Live event Discussion

 

[Slartybart]

Microsoft announced a FREE Upgrade to Win10 path to licensed versions of Windows 7 and Windows 8.1

This will be a limited time offer: RTM +1 year

You will have to purchase Win10 if you did not take advantage of this offer before it expired.

There are no future charges associated with Win10 for the life of the device.

 

[ThrashZone]

Well the default search with Bing is gone thank goodness Cortana seems be be it's replacement but without using a Microsoft account she's even d.o.a.
Before you type say internet options in the start menu search and hit the enter key it automatically when to a Bing search page,
That was infuriating
I could hit the down arrow key to get to the first local search suggestion but wth would Microsoft do that for
All is good I guess I have to do a refresh install because that does not give you a custom install option and is what brought it back in the last build,

It's all good now for search but I don't see why the search box is outside the start menu but it does still say
Search the Web and windows = Web is first :/
Very weird search default