BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10

Subject: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: MikeL2
Date: 18 Nov 15 - 02:25 PM

Hi

I am thinking about switching from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10.

I have been talking to some friends have done so. The feedback I got was extremely patchy. Some said it was OK but you need to be computer literate as there were some problems - like missing files and folders etc etc.

Others said that the actual switch was complicated and difficult for non-teccies like me to understand.

Some said the switch over was OK but there were problems when trying to run some programs on 10 that ran OK before the switch.

I know some of you have switched and would appreciated any feed-back and assistance you can advise.

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Nov 15 - 04:49 PM

Gee, that's a good question. I think I've done ten Windows 10 installations so far. Five were painless, three weren't bad, and two were disasters and I had to revert to earlier operating systems.

The good news is that reverting to Win 7 or 8.1 was quite easy.

I have Windows 10 on my own computer and I like it. The only think I haven't been able to resolve is how to get Audacity to work. That's not a trivial problem, because I have not found another software package for processing recordings. I keep hoping Audacity will come up with a fix.

And my boss really likes the new solitaire games on Windows 10....

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Nov 15 - 04:52 PM

The couple of threads from a few months earlier this year might be some help.

Worth searching...

Some found the transition no problem. Others, even expert computer users, were plagued with crashes and malfunctions.

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: Greg F.
Date: 18 Nov 15 - 05:26 PM

I haven't been able to resolve is how to get Audacity to work. That's not a trivial problem, because I have not found another software package for processing recordings.

Hane you tried Goldwave, Joe? Or do you mean you haven't found FREE software?

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Nov 15 - 10:09 PM

Haven't heard of Goldwave, Greg. I'll have to check it out. Audacity has been so good to me for so many years, I hate to give it up.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Nov 15 - 10:52 PM

Reaper is share ware, but the only limitation is a nag screen on opening.
So for many users it is effectively freeware.

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Nov 15 - 11:04 PM

The main thing I always do in this situation is to do a "custom" install instead of "typical." From what I've heard, if you do typical it sets defaults for you that you may not like. You can choose them as you work through the custom setting. Don't like Bing? Then do a custom install. Don't want to have to log on with a Microsoft Hotmail account? Then do a custom install.

I'm going to up updating my next door neighbor's computer this weekend. I told her it was probably time since the first big patch/update had been issued.

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: treewind
Date: 19 Nov 15 - 03:44 AM

Help is available if you're having trouble with Audacity on Windows 10.

Looks like it's not quite ready yet, also worse if you've upgraded from an earlier version of Windows, as some device drivers don't get upgraded. But you might yet be able to get it working...

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: MikeL2
Date: 19 Nov 15 - 04:33 AM

Hi

Many thanks to all comments. There is something to think about here.

I will take the comments in mind as I try to switch to 10.

I hate 8.1 and I am sure that I won't have as many problems as I have with that.

Many thanks

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: GUEST,DaveRo
Date: 19 Nov 15 - 07:22 AM

What is it about Win 8.1 that you hate, and what problems do you have with it? It could be that these features are in Win 10 as well, in which case you'll end up hating it too. If your problems are with old programs or peripherals it's unlikely to solve them.

FWIW - which is not much - I updated a Win 7 machine to Win 10 and it works fine. I had to some faffing about to get it as I wanted - there are many features hidden.

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: Charmion
Date: 19 Nov 15 - 09:43 AM

I upgraded our desk computer from Windows 7 to Windows 10. The process was comparatively painless, but some features of 10 leave me cold.

The feature I find most irritating is the new requirement for a "Windows ID" (or was that Microsoft ID -- I forget) that ties a particular user to the machine in which the software is installed. Two people use our computer, but I could not find a way to create a Windows ID that would describe both of us. So now it's technically "my" computer (because I did the update), which just feels unnecessarily unfair.

Also, suddenly the programs we run on the computer have become "apps". What was wrong with "programs"? The cool kids say "apps", so apps it is. Now. Oh, the humanity.

Many Windows 7 functions remain available, which is a mercy. In particular, the anti-virus program Windows Defender survived the transition, which warms the cockles of my stingy old heart because it works and it doesn't cost me any extra money.

I also recommend the "custom" installation. Bing is just irritating, and the new Microsoft browser (replacement for the dreaded Explorer) is not better than Chrome.

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: MikeL2
Date: 19 Nov 15 - 10:09 AM

Hi Dave

I didn't explain that I use 2 computers my main one is at present Windows 7 and I love it.

I bought a new computer and it was loaded with Windows 8.1.

So I guess what I am really saying is that I miss Windows 7 when I use my new machine.

I am sure that all the facilities of 7 are in 8 but for me it is a heck of a bind to find them. I guess some of it is nomenclature but others are some changes in use - for instance I couldn't find Windows Explorer which I use all the time, I found it only today hidden as File Explorer. I have now pinned it to the Task Bar....more naming confusions.

I am going to do what I should have done earlier and looked at someone who is using windows 10 and get a feel for it.

Thanks for your comments.

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: MikeL2
Date: 19 Nov 15 - 10:21 AM

Hi Charmion

Thanks for your comments.

The problems that you have with 10 are some of the problems I am having with 7.

We are like you where we are two using the same computers. And we have the same problem.

Also we hate to change from Programs to Apps....grrrr.

Another thing I have with 8 is I have to authorize going into routines far more than I do in 7. This confuses us as we have to use the same password and not have one each... etc etc

So it looks like I will have similar problems if I move to 10....??

Thanks again

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: GUEST,DaveRo
Date: 19 Nov 15 - 10:51 AM

Charmion wrote: The feature I find most irritating is the new requirement for a "Windows ID" (or was that Microsoft ID -- I forget)

If you mean a Microsoft Account, you don't have to have one, unless you want MS's cloud storage - OneDrive. I don't.

Google for "The Windows 10 privacy settings you need to change right now". there are several similar articles.

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 19 Nov 15 - 11:09 AM

I'm quite happy with Windows 7. Is there any good reason why I should upgrade?

I worry that some hardware drivers may no longer work.

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: GUEST,DaveRo
Date: 19 Nov 15 - 11:26 AM

GUEST,Ed wrote: I'm quite happy with Windows 7. Is there any good reason why I should upgrade?

Not really. Win 7 will get security fixes until 2020.

The only useful feature for me - because I've been using on Linux for a decade - is Virtual desktops. Hooray - at long last!

It's very like Win 7, but with (IMO) a nicer user interface.

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: GUEST,DaveRo
Date: 19 Nov 15 - 11:31 AM

MikeL2 wrote: for instance I couldn't find Windows Explorer which I use all the time, I found it only today hidden as File Explorer.

Windows key + E

I think this has worked since Windows 95.

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: Bill D
Date: 19 Nov 15 - 11:32 AM

There is a big difference between Win7 Home edition and Win7 Pro.... I have 2 identities on 7Pro with no problems.... and Pro also can be configured to run all those odd little apps programs from XP and before.

I was a collector of odd freeware programs, and was warned by the manager of the store when I bought the machine that I needed 7Pro. I read about Win 10 problems and I just don't care to experiment with Micro$oft's attempt to herd ALL us sheep into the same pen. It is really work to reject all their attempts to download the new software silently when I'm not looking, but I intend to spend the next 6-7 months (they SAID I'd have a year to decide) investigating. (I also have a 2nd Win7 Pro machine that is just barely setup, but is not online, as a backup. I'm hoping these 2 PCs will be all I'll ever need to buy.)

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: Greg F.
Date: 19 Nov 15 - 12:07 PM

I'm quite happy with Windows 7. Is there any good reason why I should upgrade?

WIN 10 monitors everything you do on your computer & sends the information back to Microsoft.

That's an excellent reason NOT to "upgrade"[sic].

See also:

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/dont-want-windows-10-this-tool-lets-you-stay-windows-7-prevent-automatic-upgrades-1529208

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: MikeL2
Date: 19 Nov 15 - 02:35 PM

hi DaveRoWindows key + E

<" I think this has worked since Windows 95.">

Thanks for this. I tend not to use short-cuts ( cos I don't know them.)

But I will now.

Thanks

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Nov 15 - 10:02 PM

I'm maintaining about 15 computers, I think. Some are Windows 7, some Windows 8.0 and not convertible to 8.1, some Win 8.1, and some I have converted to Windows 10. I have not bought any new Windows 10 computers, and I have discarded all our Windows Vista or XP computers or converted them to Linux.

So, all of the computers I have, are Windows 10 or eligible for upgrade to Windows 10. I'd like to switch them all to Windows 10 and then set them all up for remote access so I can work on them without driving 50 miles to handle an emergency - and so I can talk staff members through a fix by duplicating things on my Win 10 computer at home. I've had trouble upgrading a couple of the Win 7 computers, so I'm moving slowly; and I have some staff members who are really reluctant to convert from Windows 7. On the other hand, I have a social worker who converted from Win 7 to Win 10 herself, and did a bangup job of it. I also have a staff member who wants a mouse without a wheel because she says the wheel is doing weird things on her Win 7, and I can't find mice without wheels very easily.

So, I'm moving slowly. I'd like to think that Windows 10 can give me a couple more years of life on our Windows 7 computers, but I'm not sure that's going to be the case.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 19 Nov 15 - 11:14 PM

During a long phone call for advice / complaint to a Lenovo service tech;....

he eventually 'admitted off the record' that although the brand new Lenovo Win 8.1 PC was sold by a major UK internet shop [Ebuyer]
as being eligible for free upgrade to Win 10,
the factory installed OEM version build of Win 8.1 and proprietary drivers might not have been entirely compatible.

Which is probably why reverting back to Win 8.1,
to fix the Win 10 restart crashes,
has broken the Win 8.1 back up option.

Hence his advice I should completely wipe the Drive and do an absolutely fresh install of Win 10,
if I can ever be bothered trying again....

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: BobL
Date: 20 Nov 15 - 03:48 AM

No problems installing over Windows 7 on a newly acquired s/h laptop (but I'm still running XP on the desktops, with W98 for the legacy stuff). A lot of features seem to have different ways of calling them up - I expect it'll be fine once I've found them all. However I don't like the way it keeps coming up with "insufficient memory" warnings when I'm not running anything.

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 23 Nov 15 - 08:50 PM

Just installed Windows 10 on PC which had been running Windows 7. Now a) It won't rrecognise the two hard drives attached to the PC b)It won't give me any Internet connection through the router plugged into it, which is working perfectly for the ipad. Previously there have been no problems at all with either of the issues with Windows7.

I don't much like the look of Windows 10, but before switching back to Windows 7, which I gather I can do till a month is up, I'd like to give it a fair crack of the whip.

i've looked for advice on Google, but all I could find was addvice for sorting out this internet connection problem on Windows 7 and 8.

Any advice or pointers would be most welcome.

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Nov 15 - 09:44 AM

Windows key + E

If you use a "Microsoft Natural" keyboard that's good for finding Windows Explorer (a program I use many times a day). I use a custom keyboard that is made to feel like the old IBM selectric keyboard. I guess I'm lucky to have Function keys. :) Anyway, I looked to see if there were any other key combinations that might open Windows Explorer. Alas, there aren't, but some of these others might be helpful to people. I use quite a few of them myself (at work, for example, when I am walking away from my computer for a few minutes, that is a Microsoft keyboard so I toggle the Microsoft key and L to lock it until I return).

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/126449

My answer for the Windows Explorer quick access - I have created a desktop shortcut for that and a number of programs I find useful (Windows Explorer, Notepad, Wordpad, Snipping Tool, etc.) by opening the start menu, select the program I want, right click and use the "send to" option to send an icon to my desktop. If you later decide to get rid of the icon (occasionally I can't find one and end up creating a second) I delete the icon (to the Recycle Bin). This doesn't delete the program, just gets rid of the icon. (I know this is very basic computing, but I am sometimes surprised by how few of these features some computer users ever get around to using or trying).

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Nov 15 - 10:16 AM

I'll soon be installing Windows 10 for my next door neighbor, and plan to take my time with the custom settings to avoid some of the Microsoft-centric features and to set up her browser preferences. It'll give me a chance to see if I want to set it up on any of my computers here, where I have three in particular in a network around the house.

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 24 Nov 15 - 11:45 AM

I had a phone session with someone ar Internet provider, Virgin Media. He tried various ideas, and none of them worked, so I gave up on Windows 10 for now, and went back to Windows 7, and eveything worked fine again. I might have another go later - but as ide from this I didn't like the look of Windows10 at all, and it too k ages to start up. "Striving to better, oft we mar what's well" as that sage computer guru Shakespeare wrote...

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 24 Nov 15 - 04:31 PM

I keep reading that people are finding that Audacity 'won't work' in Win 10. It works fine on my PC with Win 10. What is it that 'won't work', is it specific tasks within Audacity, or is it Audacity itself that doesn't run?

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: Joe Offer
Date: 24 Nov 15 - 05:40 PM

Hi, Backwoodsman - Audacity can't find my sound card since I installed Windows 10.

And within the last couple days, my Start menu disappeared. I hit the "start" button on my keyboard or click on the "start" icon on my screen, and nothing happens. I can access most functions by right-clicking on the start/windows icon on the bottom-left corner of my screen, but I can't access the "Start" menu.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 24 Nov 15 - 06:53 PM

Joe, before the release of Win 10 I ran the check-process to see if my machine was good to go with the upgrade, and it told me that the driver for my sound card wouldn't work with Win 10. By the time of the release, a compatible driver had been installed (I guess via Windows Update), and it works fine. Have you searched for the latest driver? (Don't mean to be insulting, I know you're pretty cute with PCs, but sometimes it's the obvious that we miss...).

Or have you tried uninstalling, and reinstalling the latest version of Audacity? I had a notification of the release of a new version following the release of Win 10

The Start-Menu thing is weird - again, everything is running fine for me and I've not had that problem. If you have Backup and Restore enabled, have you tried rolling back to the last system restore point?

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: Bill D
Date: 24 Nov 15 - 08:02 PM

Joe... remember- Win10 updates itself automatically & silently in the background, rather than offer you various choices. It may have downloaded some setting that messes with the start menu. I suppose it may also correct itself if that was a mistake.

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 24 Nov 15 - 08:12 PM

Eventually took the plunge and didn't have too much difficulty with download and installation though it was probably a good idea to go to bed for a few hours for the firmer, and out fir the day fir the latter as I'd have otherwise been thinking it wasn't working!
Agree with previous comments about customising: have done a lot of it since. Not using "The Edge". Couldn't find Norton toolbar or get into Norton vault: had to go to Norton person to sort that out.
After installation it seemed to have re-named my computer and then told me I had 2 computers on one IP address and needed to talk to my administrator (me?): more footering about in system stuff. And got loads of messages re " you have logged in from an unknown computer" from various websites.
(Mind you, Facebook does that every time Norton does a scheduled clean-up!)
Internet Explorer performing badly despite re-setting it and following all the advice given re adjusting settings. Trying to type emails in either Yahoo or AOL a very frustrating process: often freezing or only using some of the letters I have typed. Better results in Google Chrome, so will probably change default browser.

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 24 Nov 15 - 08:59 PM

It really does look ugly though. At least it did on my PC while it was there.

One thing seems to have been damaged by my trial run - I had two external hard disks attached to my PC. wIndows 10 wouldn't recognise either. But when I went back to Windows 7 I found I could only access one of them. The other, larger, one, wouldn't work, and it told me it would have to be formatted again, which of course means everything stored on the bhard disk. And when I tried it on another computer which I hadn't tried to upgrade, the same thing happened. aNd yet it had been working fine previously.

In future if I'm doing anything like this, I'll remove any hard disks before doing so, just in case.

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: MikeL2
Date: 25 Nov 15 - 06:30 AM

Hi Guys

Many thanks for all the useful comments.

From what I have heard I will keep away from moving until I am more confident in being able to handle any problems that may occur.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: Stanron
Date: 25 Nov 15 - 01:57 PM

McG of H
You might try taking your drive to a techie. Windows has always been reluctant to allow ordinary users full access to drives. Maybe because it's very easy to loose everything very quickly. Linux is a lot more trusting and most distributions have powerful disc access software. I've used this to recover drives of different kinds from an unresponsive USB hard drive to a collection of 8 gig CF cards that Windows had decided were 2 gig, and under Linux I was able to get back to 8 gig.

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 25 Nov 15 - 02:45 PM

I will likely do that, Stanron. But I really should have stuck to the rule. I generally have of removing any attached bit of equipment that isn't going to be needed before doing anything major to my computer.

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Dec 15 - 01:09 AM

I got Audacity working on my computer today, so I think that means I have resolved the last of my Windows 10 problems on this computer. I'm still delaying installing Win 10 on any more computers at work, but I'll probably do most of them soon after January 1.

To fix the Audacity problem, I went to Device Manager and uninstalled (and deleted) the drivers for my sound card. Then I rebooted the computer and let it reinstall the sound drivers. then I ran Audacity, and it was able to find the sound drivers.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 18 Dec 15 - 02:54 AM

That doesn't surprise me, Joe - I did suggest back in November, further up the thread, that it might be out-of-date drivers that were the problem, and I suggested searching for the latest drivers and updating them.

When I ran the routine to check if my PC (8.1) was suitable to upgrade to 10, it told me that my sound card drivers weren't suitable but, by the time I got the upgrade download, they had been updated and everything worked fine.

Glad it's sorted for you.

I wonder if the people who claim they're having problems ever bothered to run the check-routine pre-29/7?

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 18 Dec 15 - 05:55 AM

I have up-dated three computers, from Win 8.1 to Win 10, without any problems. The biggest problems I have experienced, so far, have been with my new MS Surface Pro 4 - which came with Win 10 pro pre-loaded! Those problems seem to have been fixed (fingers crossed!) after the most recent up-dates. Microsoft have publicly apologised, to customers who have bought the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book, for the problems they have experienced.

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: Joe Offer
Date: 24 Dec 15 - 01:18 AM

Hi, Backwoodsman-
I checked the drivers way back when, when you suggested it - and Windows told me the drivers were up-to-date. This time, I uninstalled and deleted the drivers, forcing Windows to find and install completely new drivers.
I use that tactic as a remedy of last resort, but it almost always works for driver-related problems.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Tech Problems with Installing Windows 10
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 24 Dec 15 - 03:07 AM

Ah, gotcha Joe. Glad it all worked out anyway.

I guess that, when one has installed 10 without any hitches whatsoever, it's a bit difficult to perceive of the problems other people seem to be having. My PC was less than a year old and high-spec, with 8.1 factory-installed, and I'm convinced that's why my install of 10 went well - I have a theory that it's the older, lower-spec machines with 7 or 8 that seem to be hitting snags?

But I could be wrong, I remember being wrong once before, many years ago.... :-)

Anyhoo, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!