Tech: Windows 10-what's happening - updates

Subject: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: Joe Offer
Date: 25 Jul 15 - 04:26 PM

This is one of the many times I wish John in Kansas were still with us. I'm wondering what's going to be happening to my computer this week - and, more importantly, to the ten computers I maintain at the women's center where I do volunteer work.
I'm getting the impression that if I accepted the Windows 10 reservation invitation that popped up on my computer a couple of weeks ago, my computer has been silently downloading portions of Windows 10 on my computer.
And then, if all has gone well, my computer will open with Windows 10 when I turn it on, on Wednesday July 29. And that will be that.
But I'm afraid I will be getting all sorts of desperate phone calls Wednesday, and I'm wondering if I ought to work at the Women's Center Wednesday so I'm there to handle problems that might arise.
Anybody have any idea what's going to happen this week?
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 25 Jul 15 - 04:34 PM

Well I've imagined, perhaps naively, that it will sit in whatever folder you have designated as your 'Downloads' folder, until such time as you open the file and click 'install' - much the same as any other program.

But if I were you, I'd make sure to take a full system back-up before close of play on 28/7/15.

As there's a window of one year from 29/7/15 in which you can get the free upgrade, I've decided not to 'register' in advance, and to leave it six months until it's been running in the real world and, hopefully, the major crap has been sorted out.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 25 Jul 15 - 04:39 PM

The Get Windows 10 app clearly states you can 'upgrade when you get a notification Windows 10 has been downloaded'.

To me that reads it will only install when prompted.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: Joe Offer
Date: 25 Jul 15 - 04:44 PM

Probably good advice, Backwoodsman, but I'm one of those who likes to be first to try the new stuff. Not daring enough to sign up to use Beta versions, but I like to get the new stuff when it's officially released. And so far, I haven't been burned.

Here's the Reservation Page

And a How-to page from Microsoft. It says, "You'll get a notification after July 29, 2015 once Windows 10 is downloaded to your device. Install it right away or pick a time that's good for you." Guess that means it won't install until I tell it to install.

Forbes.com reports some people are already haiving problems with the Windows 10 downloads - specifically with Nvidia graphics cards with multiple monitors (like mine, but I haven't had trouble...yet)

And PC World my usual go-to publication, tells what should happen on Wednesday...

Good luck to all of us.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 25 Jul 15 - 05:13 PM

Yep, I've got the Win 10 app on my PC. I ran the prog that checks your PC for suitability, and it told me everything was OK except my graphics adapter, which wouldn't work with 10. This PC is ONLY TEN MONTHS OLD!! WTF??

So that's why I'm waiting, to see what fixes are available (if any!). This is just my home computer, I'm fine with 8.1, and I'm informed that it will be supported until at least 2020, so there's no rush.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 25 Jul 15 - 05:15 PM

BTW, mine's an Nvidia card. 😳

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Jul 15 - 05:24 PM

Here is an excellent discussion of the operating systems and upgrading from ZDNet. An excerpt from the article that may be particularly helpful:

If you're running (real) Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 on a traditional PC

If you're running Windows 8 and you can, you should update to 8.1 anyway. And if you're running Windows 8.1 and your machine can handle it (check the compatibility guidelines), I'd recommend updating to Windows 10. In terms of third-party support, Windows 8 and 8.1 will be such a ghost town that it's well worth doing the upgrade, and doing so while the Windows 10 option is free.

That said, if your users have already gone through a painful adjustment to the Windows 8 user experience, Windows 10 will involve another adjustment. Fortunately, nearly everyone is familiar with the old Start menu interface, and Windows 10 supports it, albeit with a bit of Metro slapped on the side. Even so, very few Windows 7 and prior users will be as lost on Windows 10 as on Windows 8.

I hope this helps.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 25 Jul 15 - 05:41 PM

I too have registered, and from the info available I also assumed that it won't install until I tell it to.
So far so good, and I think it best to stick with Windows 7 until that moment comes and I'm sure enough and have time enough to waste with another learning curve. Does that make enough sense to you techies out there?

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: BobL
Date: 26 Jul 15 - 03:30 AM

I'm still getting adjusted to Windows 7, having stuck with XP for as long as possible (not to mention a Windows 98 system for running legacy stuff). The really important question for me is: if I have insurmountable problems with Windows 10, will I be able to roll back to what I had before?

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: Nick
Date: 26 Jul 15 - 06:24 AM

I've been using Windows 10 for a few weeks now (testing stuff on it) and the transition between Windows 7 and 10 I have found much easier than adapting to Windows 8.1

It is remarkably familiar and - to me - obvious to use.

And I prefer it to Windows 8.1 where I have disabled charms and corners and all sorts of rubbish that just gets in the way.

Like others above my understanding is that you get notified it is available and can then decide when you install it.

I think the only route back to Windows 7 would be a reinstall of Windows 7 and everything that goes with it so a lot of work - unless you can take an image of everything you have and ghost it back on to the machine (seems more effort than accepting the inevitable and moving to 10 :)!)

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: GUEST,Desi C
Date: 26 Jul 15 - 06:54 AM

I've received mails from AOL telling me I can download it from July 29th with info re how to do it etc. If you'd like a copy of their e.mail, it has some FAQ's just drop me a line at Desi [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Jul 15 - 09:38 AM

I suspect the Microsoft servers will be swamped on July 29. There seems to be a plan to roll it out in stages and those who have reserved a copy early will find it downloads with updates and it will be available to install when they're ready.

Nick, I have a touch screen laptop, the environment that Windows 8 was developed for. A disconnect for Win8 was how few people paired it with touch devices. What kind of device/s are you using Win10 on, and does it retain some accommodation for touch screen computers? That is the device (with the Pro version) that I would probably opt first to test upgrade. Microsoft is pushing like programs out to users - Home version users of 7 or 8, etc., get Home version of 10. I use Win7 Ultimate on my desktop and am happy with it, so would probably delay an upgrade till near the end of the free offer period (let other people work out the bugs!).

It's clear this free upgrade is Microsoft's attempt to hold onto market share. People unhappy with Win8 flavors can get rid of it, and others will go along for the ride. In particular, they're up against the Android OS. The Win8 release will go into the dust bin along with Windows ME, Windows Vista, and illustrates something that other companies learned about shocking users with something so radically different. MicroPro Wordstar used to be a powerful word processing program, but when they released Wordstar2000 it didn't work the same and they scared off most of their users and never regained market share. Ironically, Microsoft stepped in with Office Word to take over that market.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 26 Jul 15 - 11:04 AM

Thank you Acme, for your link to the ZDNet piece.

Have to say that I'm somewhat dismayed at the 'Mandatory Autmatic Windows Updates'

Whilst I accept that I probably in a small minority, my main Internet connection has a fairly limited monthly allowance. That's fine, and whilst I have to keep an eye on my usage, perfectly OK for my day to day use. If however I exceed it, the charges are really heavy.

I won't possibly know if Microsoft decide to install a large update, on the final day of the month, without telling me, which could well cost me a good deal.

No thanks for now. Sticking with Windows 7.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 26 Jul 15 - 12:19 PM

A problem I have recently discovered is that Windows is killing off Windows Media Center with the Win10 upgrade. It will remove it from the computer. I have lots of programs recorded using WMC because I have a receiver in my computer.

The WMC files don't play nicely with others - they can't be viewed in another program. I am going to have to slowly convert these files and burn them to DVD (the WMC program will do this). Some things I can jettison, but the ones I want to keep will need conversion. I want to continue using my computer as a DVR, so am looking into other software that will do what MWC did - provide a program directory and allow me to record. Has anyone else explored this situation? Once you upgrade to Win10, your Windows Media Center is toast. And as of a few days ago, to viewing schedule guide will not update. There is a source for $25 a year - Schedules Direct apparently will merge with WMC (there is a seven day free trial in which to test this out). I would like to eventually upgrade to Win10, so I need another answer before then. KODI is apparently software from the XBOX platform that will do some of this. Are there any users here?

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 26 Jul 15 - 12:23 PM

Windows Media Center is Dead. Here are the best alternatives.

Top Alternatives for WMC.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: artbrooks
Date: 26 Jul 15 - 12:57 PM

You may want to check out this article on WMC - apparently, there is a partial fix in the pipeline. PC World article

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 26 Jul 15 - 01:25 PM

I have a separate media player (Corel WinDVD) for BluRay and DVD, because WMC wouldn't play my BluRay movies on my computer. It is the television recording DVR part that I want to hold onto, and access to my previously recorded material. But for anyone who doesn't want to pay extra for a DVD player, there is also the open source VLC player that is quite robust - it plays things that stump QuickTime and Windows Media Player.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 26 Jul 15 - 02:09 PM

I'm happy enough with win7, and blocked KB3035583!

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Jul 15 - 03:42 PM

It keeps coming back if you delete it, so apparently you have to hide it.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: EBarnacle
Date: 26 Jul 15 - 05:54 PM

If you don't need it, don't upgrade. They are already planning to obsolete touchscreens so that need will become moot on time for the next whiz-bang rollout.

If you have a touch screen device or Win 8 there is nothing to lose. Besides, Win 10 is supposed to let you emulate the Win 7 interface.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: GUEST,Woodsie
Date: 27 Jul 15 - 08:35 AM

It won't be available to all on 29th July Windows 10 will first be made available to people who have been running the tech preview edition. Then it will be rolled out in stages to people who reserved it. Then anybody else with a bona fide copy of win 7, win 8 or 8.1 can download it for free if they wish. This info is from microsoft's own press release.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Jul 15 - 09:47 PM

So, it's been July 29 in the UK for almost three hours, and almost 12 hours in Sydney. Anybody have Windows 10 installed?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Jul 15 - 10:02 PM

Christmas in July, eh, Joe? ;-)

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: GUEST,#
Date: 28 Jul 15 - 10:16 PM

"So, it's been July 29 in the UK for almost three hours, and almost 12 hours in Sydney. Anybody have Windows 10 installed?"

They may not be able to access the internet :-)

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 28 Jul 15 - 11:20 PM

As I understand, my Nokia Lumia 920 phone should be due for an update to win 10 mobile version,
so that might give some idea of 'things to come'...???

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Jul 15 - 11:24 PM

OK, I admit it....I like Windows, and I'm looking forward to Windows 10. And I'm hoping it will give new life to a bunch of Windows 7 computers I'm not quite ready to want to replace...

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Jul 15 - 12:00 AM

I think David Pogue's review will make you happy.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: Nick
Date: 29 Jul 15 - 06:12 AM

I only noticed that in the first month you can go back to the previous version from WITHIN the software

I work for a software company and none of our x,000 customers have yet upgraded (or upgraded and reported any problems) ...

We are wondering whether we will get any calls today

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: GUEST,Woodsie
Date: 29 Jul 15 - 09:31 AM

It could be sometime before people actually get this upgrade. here's a quote directly off of microsoft's site "Once Windows 10 is available, we'll begin notifying devices that their free upgrade is available. Just open the Get Windows 10 app to schedule your upgrade. Note: Some notifications will go out as soon as Windows 10 is available; others may go out in the weeks or months following" lots of hot air and hype ...

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 29 Jul 15 - 11:06 AM

As far as I can see my modem is working hard at downloading something and has been all day. But west of Ireland broadband being what it is it may well be a week before the 3GB is fully downloaded.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 29 Jul 15 - 11:15 AM

The reviews I have seen so far have been mostly good. The Guardian went as far as saying this version is the best yet

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: Nick
Date: 29 Jul 15 - 12:02 PM

My experience has been very positive so far but there are various things I haven't tried yet.

I use Reaper for music recording and photoshop with photos and haven't tried either yet as I have only used it at work. So we'll see.

And whether my ancient printers and scanners (which I use occasionally) still work

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: gnu
Date: 29 Jul 15 - 04:20 PM

Yeah, I was wondering about that as well, Nick. I have an HP 3180C printer and I kinda figure it will be OK but ???.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: Nick
Date: 29 Jul 15 - 04:34 PM

Well one down...

My wife's new laptop has done the transition from Windows 8.1 (which neither of us were keen on) to Windows 10 as it was available when I turned it on this evening. Took about 1/2 hour in all wile I watched a programme on Tv and it works fine.
*Old version of Office (2000) that is on it works fine.
*Two profiles on machine both transferred no problem
*Desktops have exactly the same icons they had before and backgrounds!
*Teamviewer works between machines
*Network in house works and all machines can still see each other
*No settings or fiddling with internet or anything - it justs works
*Chrome opens and favourites etc all there
*Passwords remembered etc for Yahoo mail etc
*No problem with wireless
*Boots quickly and shuts quickly
*My wife has never seen Windows 10 before and just got on and used the bits she needed as normal with no goggling or messing about
*Sound works

Haven't looked into Cortana or such because no real need yet.

Very painless and so far minimal disruption. And NOTHING like the hassle when she/we moved from Windows 7 to Windows 8.1

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: gnu
Date: 29 Jul 15 - 05:00 PM

Sounds good, Nick. I am downloading on my laptop now. I am looking forward to taking it for a spin.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 29 Jul 15 - 05:32 PM

Upgrade was completely painless and so far nothing strange.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: GUEST,#
Date: 29 Jul 15 - 06:45 PM

I'm glad it worked out for all of you. Good news.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: michaelr
Date: 29 Jul 15 - 07:36 PM

So... I'm still on XP and paranoid enough about Windows' many crap iterations that I haven't installed 7 yet. Will it be possible, if all this initial jubilation about 10 turns out to be justified, to upgrade my system for free?

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: gnu
Date: 29 Jul 15 - 09:22 PM

So... where is my choice of "shutdown"? Start menu my arse. Am I missing something here??? I am a cranky old man and this pissed me off so much that I just shut down the laptop "as usual" and I'll explore it tomorrow.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: Don Firth
Date: 29 Jul 15 - 10:50 PM

My 17" Asus laptop is not only my work computer, it is my goofin' off computer as well. Put together—custom assembled—by a local computer shop. After chatting with a friend of mine who works for Mickeysoft (she didn't badmouth Windows 8, but it was obvious that she wasn't very enthusiastic about it), I had the shop load the computer with Windows 7.

Somewhere along the line, I lost sound on the computer, so I can't listen to sound files or get audio on things like YouTube videos, and pop-up windows keep telling me I need Adobe FlashPlayer (which I thought I had).   About a dozen times I've tried to download it and somewhere in the process it all goes pear-shaped and I have to reboot. Damn! I'm about to call Heath of GeekServ to come out and give my computer a dope-slap or whatever magic he usually works (but it costs and arm and a leg).

Then this morning, the Windows logo appeared on my taskbar, inviting me to "Get Windows 10."

I am reading this thread with great interest, and checking other things about Windows 10 on various internet sites. Sounds good so far….

But I'm still feeling very leery….

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 30 Jul 15 - 12:38 AM

The order is in for Windows 10 for my laptop. I'll see what it looks like, but will probably leave the Win7 Pro in place on the desktop at least for the time being.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 Jul 15 - 01:04 AM

Well, we have one employee who absolutely refuses to change from Win 7 to Win 10. I'm not going to force her, at least as long as she can keep going on Win 7 without complaining to me.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 30 Jul 15 - 04:09 AM

Apologies if this seems like a daft question, but how did you know when you had the download (or it was available)?

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 30 Jul 15 - 04:39 AM

Open the Windows 10 app and it will tell you.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 30 Jul 15 - 06:34 AM

OK, thanks Peter.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 30 Jul 15 - 06:38 AM

It's the same app you used to reserve the upgrade. It will either show you the download is in progress or prompt you to go ahead with the upgrade (or delay it).

By now I have upgraded an older Dell inspiron laptop from Windows 7 to 10. Went as smooth as the newer computer.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: Nick
Date: 30 Jul 15 - 06:41 AM

Shut down -
Start - Power - Shut down

Well a colleague at work upgraded last night and his machine then had problems. BUT - he is a very geeky guy and goodness knows what his machine contains. It did work but just need more work and may have something in start up that was stopping it

Your problem with moving from Win XP to Windows 10 is probably not the freeness of it (you can just download the image and install) but rather whether the machine is of a high enugh spec and has sufficient memory. A lot of machines with XP are limited to 512mb RAM and I think that would be insufficient. As you can't UPGRADE from XP but need to reinstall you would need to make sure you backed up everything and re-installed all your programs etc

I bought a new laptop for my wife recently (actually a refurbed one) for £167 so perhaps it is time for a new one and leave the old stuff on XP

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: GUEST,Woodsie
Date: 30 Jul 15 - 07:09 AM

There s an option to revert to your previous OS if you don't like Win 10 that option is available for one month only

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: Nick
Date: 30 Jul 15 - 07:36 AM

One of my machines has failed twice in downloading the Windows 10 update. I have downloaded and installed all the 'old' windows 7 updates as I wonder whether it needs to be up to date first? Who knows.

If you look in Control Panel - Windows Update - Update History it should tell you if it has yet tried (and perhaps failed) to do the Windows 10 upgrade. It looks as though it first started trying to download it on 28/7/15.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 10-what's happening with rollout
From: Don Firth
Date: 30 Jul 15 - 01:40 PM

This morning when I turned on my computer, the Windows logo on my taskbar with its invitation to "Get Windows 10" is no longer there.

Wha's happenin'?

Don Firth