Tag Archives: Microsoft

Windows users notified Windows 10 coming July 29

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Windows10-01Microsoft passed its original June estimation for release of Windows 10. It appears to be set for the July 29 release of the new operating system. So much so that you might have even got a notification to reserve your copy today.

I know this because my system began dragging this morning for no apparent reason. A notification appeared on my task bar alerting me to reserve my copy of Windows 10. I clicked it to get the window in the graphic above which led me to the window following.
Windows10-02

If you are operating in Windows 8.1, a notification should have appeared in the notification section of your task bar to the right. This notification is to reserve your copy, not to download it. You will be notified when the installation files have been added to your system. You can proceed with the installation anytime thereafter.

According to the Windows 10 Q&A page:

For devices running Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 8.1 Update with Windows Update enabled, the app shows up automatically as a Windows icon in your system tray at the bottom right-hand side of your screen.
The only requirements are that a) your device is compatible, and b) you’re running genuine Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) or Windows 8.1 (Update).
Windows 10 is designed to run on Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 PCs. That means your device is likely compatible and will run Windows 10.

There are many theories as to why Windows 10 and no Windows 9. The fact is, however, that Windows 10 will be the newest upgrade to the Microsoft operating system.

The upgrade is absolutely free and will be available to those using Windows 7 SP1 or later. This is probably because Microsoft is rather red faced about the worse operating system since Vista. Microsoft is hoping to correct many of the terrible features of the Windows 8 operating system. If the videos produce on line are any indication, they may have succeeded.

Apps will now be adjustable in size and you can use them while remaining in the desktop. You will be able to snap up to four windows in place on your screen and swtich between them simply by selecting them. They will have the familiar “X” on the right side of the menu bar at the top like any other program or application. You simply click on it to close it out. Instead of having to go to the “Apps Page” to start an app, you will be able to pin it to the Windows Start menu button on the desktop. There are a myriad of other proposed improvements. Some have been tried in the beta copies and some may not make it into the final version.

The Q&A page goes on to explain that it could take up to an hour to complete the installation on older systems. On newer systems, it could take as little as 20-minutes. They recommend that you plan for an hour. It is also a good idea to back up any important data whenever installing any upgrade this massive.

After you reserve your upgrade, you can confirm whether or not your device is compatible with Windows 10.

Between reservation and when your upgrade is ready, the files you need for the upgrade will be downloaded to your PC to make the final installation go more quickly. Then, when your upgrade is ready after July 29, 2015, you get a notification that lets you get started with your upgrade.
Get Windows 10 is an app that’s designed to make the upgrade process easy. It checks to make sure your device is compatible, and it reserves your free upgrade; it also has information to help you learn about the features in Windows 10.

It will be interesting to see if, this time, Microsoft lives up to its own hype.

Done hating Windows yet? You might be with Windows 10

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windows-10Do you hate Windows 8.1? You are probably not alone. But the hate may be over. The constant switching from the Desktop screen to the App screen is coming to an end with Windows 10. That is the good news. The other news might not be so welcome. The upgrade might be free and it is right around the corner.

Windows is apparently so set on limiting piracy that they originally intended to give Windows 10 free to anyone who is currently operating Windows 7 to the terrible 8’s. Also those who purchased a Microsoft phone. ZDnet ic306250 is reporting that is a big maybe. The gist of the article is that it all depends on where you obtained the copy of that Windows that you are using. It appears that if you are operating an OEM machine—a manufactured computer that you purchased with an aforementioned version of Windows on it—you will get a free upgrade to Windows 10.

If you built your own computer, you should be okay so long as you obtained a “genuine” copy of either Windows 7 or 8.1.

I was forced into Windows 8.1 by a traitorous computer running XP that turned on me and failed. With some practice I was able to move around Windows 8.1 with a certain amount of comfort. Not with like, mind you; just comfort. I found a function to add features to Windows 8.1—quite by accident. When I tried it, I received the window in the following Figure to the left. The bottom of my PC did not have the Microsoft XXXX-XXXX-XXXx-ad naseum key required by Microsoft on the label. I searched the computer system information and found the only key I could find. I pressed the I Already Have a Key button and my key was not accepted in the Window that resulted shown in the Figure to the right.
add-feature-3Adding new 8.1 features was not that critical, at that point. I am still busy trying to relearn yet another Windows operating system while attempting to continue getting other work accomplished. My only purpose was to see what cool 8.1 features I was missing. It begs the question, however, if my operating system is “genuine” enough to qualify for the free Windows 10.

Originally Microsoft intended to distribute this free Windows 10 through a normal update. If you recall, manufacturers had an agreement with Microsoft to upgrade their recently sold XP machines to Windows 7, if you did so within a specified time frame. While some may get the new upgrade, others may not. At least not without some difficulty. The big losers appear to be large corporations.

Another problem that has surfaced is for those who add alternative operating systems such as Linux or even previous versions of Windows to their machine. This applies only to OEM machines and not to home-built machines. The complexity of the issue is beyond the scope of this article and may be found at ARS Technica. Essentially Microsoft is working with OEMs to lock out the ability to incorporate alternative operating systems into the OEM machine. This is a nerd-exclusive subject that should not bother the average user.

Many people do not create a restore disk when prompted to do so. When their hard drive crashes and they have to replace it, they are surprised when they put in the new hard drive and it does not automatically come up like it did when they bought it. There is a reason for the restore disk, folks. My concern is that if my hard drive crashes five-years from now and and I use the restore disk that I created because I am smart, will I still be able to upgrade to Windows 10? (Or Windows 12, by that time)

Another concern that I have is software. I have some older software that blistfully resides in my Windows 8.1 machine. Thus far I have been surprised to find only one that does not. Will the new Windows 10 wipe out the remaining remnants of XP programs?

The issue to the average user is what the new Windows will look like and how it will act. For those who were frustrated at having to learn a whole new Windows, the bad news might seem that you will have to learn a new Windows. In reality, however, you will be learning an update of the old Windows. The Windows Start button is back!

When you press the Windows Start button on the taskbar, you will not be treated to the Apps page. You will get, well, a menu. The menu, however, is different. The Apps will be included in the menu. They are customizable as they are on the Start Page in Windows 8.1.

Users of the Beta versions are giving Windows 10 good reviews. Not rave reviews, yet. But good reviews. It appears that Microsoft is committed to handing out the new Windows 10—Internetally speaking—to Windows 7 and 8.1 users for free as long as you upgrade within a year from the date of the release of Windows 10. The latest on the release date is simply sometime this summer. Some are saying as early as June.

If any of this is distressing you because you love Windows 8.1 and cannot do without it, you might want to consider seeking professional attention.