Windows 10 – Should you upgrade or not?

If you have a computer running Windows 7 or 8, mark 30th July on your calendar. That’s the day that upgrading your PC to Windows 10 will no longer be free. Once the operating system passes its one-year anniversary, Microsoft, will start charging $229 to move over to Windows 10.

You may have been putting off upgrading because you didn’t want to become and early adopter, or that you have read or experienced the bad reviews of Windows 8. You’ll be pleased to know that many of the initial bugs have now been fixed and that Windows 10 is a huge improvement to Windows 8. With many new features and various system improvements upgrading is a no brainer for most people.

One of the first questions we’re often asked when it comes to upgrading it how easily you can go back to your old one if you don’t like it. The answer with Windows 10 is that it’s very easy and achievable with a few clicks.

Windows 10 is safer
If you have an older model with Windows 7, you really should upgrade. Not keeping up with software updates can make any devices more vulnerable to hackers. If you don’t want to upgrade, be mindful how much longer Microsoft will offer security updates for your operating system of choice. Windows 10 support will end in 2020.

Make sure your next PC runs Windows 10
If you’re thinking of buying a new PC, be sure it comes with Windows 10. Dell, Lenovo, HP, Acer and others all still sell PCs running Windows 7 and 8 – often with a “free Windows 10 upgrade” marketing pitch – so if you do buy one of those, hurry up and do the upgrade by 30th July!

Consider your software and hardware
One thing to consider before upgrading to Windows 10, is whether your important applications will work on the new OS. For major software releases this will most certainly be a smooth upgrade, but it’s worth checking with the software provider as they still may be working on a new version. The same holds true for peripherals such as printers and scanners which may require the downloading of new drivers to ensure they work properly on the new platform.

Bottom line
While Windows 8 was an unpleasant surprise for a lot of people, Windows 10 goes a long way to putting that right. The OS is clean, familiar and easy to understand like Windows 7. Plus it has a wealth of new, helpful features that you’ll actually want to use. The fact that it is free and can be rolled back quickly if you don’t like it, it really makes it very, very easy to recommend.

How to upgrade to Windows 10
There is a good chance that your PC is already displaying a new icon in the system tray, prompting you to upgrade. Before you make any major system upgrades, it is strongly advisable to take a full backup of your computer to guard against any problems. If the upgrade goes smoothly, all your programs and personal files should remain in place. However, occasionally people do run into problems and so with a backup, your old system can be easily restored along with your data.

If you need any help with upgrading your system or have any further questions, please call us on 81138682.