Windows 10 – to upgrade or not to upgrade?

The arrival of Windows 10 was met with a renewed sense of excitement after the less than stellar reception for Windows 8, and the new operating system goes a long way to resolving the problems of its predecessor.

Windows 10 is available as a free upgrade to current users of Window 7 and Windows 8.1. We’re using it here at Elegant IT and some of our clients are using it too – all without major problems. There’s still plenty of time to decide, as we understand that the free upgrade will be available until July 2016.

Windows 10 can be described as a hybrid between Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, switching style according to the device being used: desktops return to a Windows 7 style of design complete with a start menu, while tablets use the Windows 8 design with touch features and live tiles. The Charms bar has gone (on the desktop), replaced by a more robust Settings section that is easily accessed from the Start menu.

Windows 10 offers new Universal apps, which means that you can purchase an app once and then have it available on all of your Windows devices. There are also clever features such as the Cortana Virtual Assistant, which is now available on laptops and PCs with Windows 10, as well other Windows devices (phones, tablets, laptops, desktops, hybrids).

Windows 10 is (and will be) constantly updated, so if you’re thinking of upgrading, then January 2016 would be a good time. This is six months after the release date and high volumes of devices pre-installed with Windows 10 are likely to be sold in the US in November and December. This is in addition to the estimated 100 million devices which have already been upgraded, and it means that the operating system will have had a thorough testing and the kinks ironed out by then.

If you’d like to know more or you’re running an older version of Windows, or using older hardware then contact us to discuss the implications of upgrading.