Windows 10 released on July 29, 2015. Are you going to get the free upgrade? Are you concerned that Windows 10 will break your computer? As you may already know, Microsoft is offering Windows 10 as a free upgrade to those running Windows 7 or Windows 8. But as with any major upgrade, there is a possibility some programs and hardware will no longer work. Is your system compatible for the upgrade? In short, if you’re successfully running Windows 7 and 8 without issues, you’ll likely be fine.
Preparing For The Windows 10 Upgrade
If you regularly run Windows Update (which you should be doing). You have probably already seen the little Windows 10 logo pop up in the system tray down by your clock. This little icon allows you to reserve your copy of Windows 10.
Once you click on the link and reserve your copy, Windows will scan your system to make sure it is compatible with the new version of Windows. If there are any driver conflicts or applications that will no longer function, the scan should detect them.
If you feel you’re ready for the upgrade, click the link to reserve your copy of Windows 10. The little icon will remain in the system tray until after the upgrade is performed this summer. You do not need to upgrade right away. You will receive a notification that the upgrade is available after July 29th, but if you’re wary, you can hold off a little while until you’re sure everything will work OK. You are eligible for the free upgrade for an entire year after its release.What Is Missing In Windows 10
If you’re running Windows 7, you should consider a few things before upgrading to Windows 10. While Windows 10 is a vast improvement over Windows 8, there may still be compelling reasons to stick with Windows 7.
- Windows Media Center is gone. While maybe not a mainstream product, many people are very upset that their media center is going away. If you use Windows Media Center to watch and record TV, you should hold off on the upgrade until you find another solution.
- Windows 10 does not support DVD video playback, but that is fine, you can still download the free VLC client to play DVDs on your Windows 10 machine. The VLC client has always been far superior to the standard player that came with Windows 7.
- Windows 7 Gadgets will not be included in Windows 10.
- The Solitaire, Minesweeper and Hearts games will not be included in Windows 10. If this is a deal-breaker for you, you should still be able to find a variant of these games in the app store.
In Conclusion, Windows 10 is a major upgrade and we should all welcome it. But you need to make sure your system is compatible. If your printer and video card worked with Windows 7 and 8 it should work with Windows 10. Do your research in advance. If you’re running any unique software, check with the developer to ensure it will run on Windows 10. As long as you research and prepare for the upgrade, you should not have any issues.