Free Windows 10

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

After months of being prodded by windows to update my windows 7 Asus laptop to the new windows 10 OS I finally took the plunge last night at 5.30pm I started the download .

This morning at 5am when I got back from work the system was still configuring ???? woaw .

But by 8am the computer had shut down and on restart all I had was a black screen and curser ,,, oh no ! .
I was originally wary of doing this because of the problems people had had with psudo windows 10 downloads doing the rounds , a bit worried .

But on a second boot up all was good , all my files seem in the right places , nothing missing ,,, yet .
By now I have been playing with it for an hour and am finding that I really like it , a few differences to Win7 but seems more user friendly and faster in all ways .

I like it , just be aware it is over 4gig of download and takes a while ,, 14 hours in my case .

Brian.

[sharptrack2 (Kevin)]

Upgraded several months ago when first offered... it's a struggle to go to work everyday and fuss with WIN7. My once boat anchor desktop is now a steam lined foiling catamaran (sorry for the boating analogy... I'm sure there is a better Astronomy one out there somewhere).

[sopticals (Stephen)]

Recently upgraded from 8.1 to 10. A few navigation difficulties at first, but otherwise seems OK.

[AussieTrooper (Ben)]

Still has privacy issues.

[GeoffW1 (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by AussieTrooper

Still has privacy issues.

Yes,

Win 10 certainly has a lot of features that can phone home to Bill and Melinda, especially if you want to use Cortana. There are however many many websites now with procedures on beefing up your privacy in Win 10.

Do you studiers of Win 10 feel there are still too many privacy loopholes?

Maybe Bill plays golf with Zuckerberg. Horrible thought.

Cheers

[redbeard (Damien)]

I'm about to upgrade to Win 10 and there is a link on the Microsoft site to download Win 10 that lets you download an ISO file that you can burn to a DVD and it is bootable. I have just done that. The reason I mention this, is the download did not take very long at all and I won't need to do the on-line install which seems to take a long time. It also means that I can upgrade any PC that I like instead of the PC I downloaded the files on. You just need to already have a licensed OS on that computer. Can't remember the exact link, but a Google search should find it. There is even info on how to remove the GWX application that keeps reminding to upgrade. Hope this is not old news ;-)

Cheers,

Damien.

[sheeny (Al)]

I upgraded to windows 10 a while ago, but after getting used to it and all settling down good, I had a catastrophic failure somewhere in windows. Unfortunately since there had been no updates since I installed windows 10, there was no restore point. During my wrestling with this problem, I found that you need to download the Media Creation Tool (its called something like that) in order to make a recovery disk. As I hadn't done that, I'm now back on windows 7 until I can get onto Fixed wireless NBN, and then I'll have another go at windows 10. Unfortunately, as an aside to the crash, I found out what worked and what didn't in my backup strategy - most stuff was fine but emails and email addresses are among the most important stuff I lost.

So, if you are on windows 10, get the Media Creation Tool and make a recovery disc! Do it now!

Al.

[Exfso (Peter)]

I have just downloaded the ISO, not sure if I did the right one though. I have windows 7 pro 64 bit, I downloaded the Windows 10 home, maybe should have done the pro version. Ideas anyone?

[casstony]

Remember to do a custom install rather than express so you can untick all the options to protect your privacy. The default express install allows acces to personal information.

[redbeard (Damien)]

Originally Posted by Exfso

I have just downloaded the ISO, not sure if I did the right one though. I have windows 7 pro 64 bit, I downloaded the Windows 10 home, maybe should have done the pro version. Ideas anyone?

Hi Peter,

I'd go back and get the better Pro version. The fact you already have the Pro version means you qualify for the Win 10 Pro version. I think I read there are only 2 versions of Win 10 at this stage. Home and Pro. I'm running Win 7 Ultimate and the upgrade path is Win 10 Pro so that's the iso I downloaded.

Cheers,

Damien.

[Exfso (Peter)]

Thanks Damien, I have now downloaded and burnt the pro version to a DVD. I want to put it on an old Dell OptiPlex machine that I have to see how it performs. I gather I use the Windows 7 key from that machine when installing Win 10.

[redbeard (Damien)]

Yes, use the Win7 key. You will need the Win7 to be running on the computer so the Win 10 upgrade will see the previous operating system. So Microsoft tell us!

[RobF (Rob)]

I wonder if we download the ISO and have it on hand if that can be used to upgrade for free after the 1yr amnesty period is over?

[tlgerdes (Trevor)]

Originally Posted by AussieTrooper

Still has privacy issues.

All windows have privacy issues, you need to put up some blinds or curtains

[bojan]

Not really related to W'10.. but to w'7 proffessional..

I have a laptop with Home edition, and because of that I can't run some applications, like AutoCad or Solidworks..

Is there a simple (and low cost) solution for upgrade to w'7 Pro?

[bytor666]

I've tried Windows 10 and IMO, it is a complete DOWNGRADE from Windows 7. I'm back using Windows 7 and wouldn't have it any other way.

Windows 10 is a pain in the arse, not to mention the huge privacy issue related to it.

Navigating on Windows 10 is totally horrendous. I've been on computers since 2003, I also fix people's computers when they have problems...so it is not on my end.

Microsoft failed big on this one.

Don't do it, you'll be sorry you did.

If you did it, and you want to cancel it, it is a pain to get rid of it, but it can be done. You have to remove a download in windows updates called KB3035583, or remove it in the registry.

Good luck.

[tlgerdes (Trevor)]

Sorry that you think that way Mark, I've been using Windows since ver 1.0 and I love Win10. I gave up fixing PCs about the same time you started.

IMO they took everything that was good and made it better.

[PCH (Paul)]

Simple question aimed at those who have done the upgrade....

Once the button is clicked, are the steps laid out 'idiot fashion'?

It needs to be simple for me, especially if it isn't easy to go back to Win7.

[pmrid (Peter)]

I find it amusing that this upgrade is being called "free ". It conjures up so many good old-fashioned cliches-- such as:

"There's no such thing as a free lunch "

And my personal favorite -

"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth."

Microsoft have not made their fortune or their reputation by being profligate, reckless or even vaguely generous for that matter. Nor should they be. As a corporation their executives have legal obligations to advance and protect the interests of the shareholders. That means they don't do anything that won't turn a profit.

The fact that they are not telling us why they are giving this version of Windows away at no cost seems to me more than a little disingenuous. I am cynical, suspicious and distrustful of their motives and not at all comforted by their lack of candor.

For now at least, I will not be following the rest of the lemmings over the Windows 10 cliff.


Peter

[bytor666]

Originally Posted by tlgerdes

Sorry that you think that way Mark, I've been using Windows since ver 1.0 and I love Win10. I gave up fixing PCs about the same time you started.

IMO they took everything that was good and made it better.

Better? It's a complete joke. Worthless rubbish IMO.

Glad I stayed with Windows 7