Microsoft Windows 10 is set for general release on July 29, 2015. Existing qualified customers (anyone running Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 8.1) have already begun to receive notification to reserve their copy for automatic download.
When should you upgrade? For desktop, laptop and other business users the short answer is not anytime soon!
Before you click that button there area few things to consider.
Windows 10 is being delivered as a Recommended (Automatic) update for Windows 8.1 and as an Optional Update for Windows 7. Accidental installations are bound to happen unless users are informed and network administrators manage updates to the users.
The Windows 10 Compatibility Checker does not verify that every application on your computer will run after you upgrade. Some applications may even be uninstalled as part of the upgrade.
Many software manufacturers (including Microsoft’s own Dynamics) will not certify their solutions on Windows 10 until after the product release. A few manufacturers like Norton and other Anti-Virus providers are ahead of the game. They are notifying customers that an update will be provided prior to the Windows 10 launch. Good thing if they want to keep the customer. Read further down for more on Anti-Virus with Windows 10.
The upgrade specifications are as follows:
- OS: Must be currently running Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 8.1
- Processor: 1 GHz or faster
- RAM: 1 GB for 32 bit and 2 GB for 64 bit
- Hard Disk: 16 GB for 32 bit and 20 GB for 64 bit
- Graphics: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver
- Display: 800×600
Things to consider beyond the specifications:
- Drivers, firmware support and application compatibility need to be considered separately from the compatibility checker.
- The compatibility checker does not verify all of your drivers, firmware and applications will work on Windows 10. I say this twice for a reason.
- Applications, files and setting will migrate as part of the upgrade but settings may not migrate. Just because an application is migrated does not mean it will work after the upgrade.
- Anti-Virus and other subscription based products will be checked during upgrade to determine if you have a valid current subscription. Windows will uninstall your application (preserving settings) and after the upgrade will install the updated version if your subscription is current. If your subscription is not current then Windows will not install the most current version and will instead enable Windows Defender.
- Some applications installed by the company you purchased your computer from may be uninstalled prior to upgrade and not reinstalled post upgrade. For example, if you purchased a Dell then all of the Dell branded programs may disappear. I kind of like this feature.
- If you scan for compatibility and there is a know issue with your applications you can choose to move forward with the upgrade and the applications with issues will be uninstalled prior to the upgrade.
- If you are running Media Center then it will be removed as part of the upgrade.
- Windows 7 Desktop gadgets are removed as part of the upgrade.
- Watching DVD’s requires a separate playback program.
- and much, much more….
If you are a business user then my advice is don’t be in a hurry to upgrade your work computer. Wait for your application providers to give you the green light and/or release the needed updates to insure compatibility.
