Is Windows 10 worth upgrading to from W7 ?

S

stevewestern

Suspended / Banned
Messages
5,472
Edit My Images
Yes
I am about to replace my SSD for a larger one so will either be cloning my existing or possibly doing a fresh install of W7

However, I see that W10 is available as a free upgrade.
Having only played with W8 for a few minutes and not found it easy to get my head around is it worth going for W10 and what does it add that W7 doesn't have ?

The rest of my pc is an Asus P8Z77 with an i5 3570 and 8gb of Ram if that makes any difference..!

Thanks for any help, but please keep any technical stuff simple, as even cloning my SSD is going to tax my abilities..
 
Windows 10 isn't officially released yet so I can only assume the upgrade you are referring to is the BETA/Preview version which I wouldn't recommend getting. You might as well wait for the full tested version to be released.

If you want to know the differences between 7 and 10 I would recommend watching a quick YouTube video, at least that way you would be able to see the differences

Maybe this one:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lao99kpmfcI
 
Thanks Matthew !
I take a look at the video - much appreciated.
I actually doubt I'll be doing anything for a month or two by which time I think it is due to be released and all I have seen so far is comparisons to W8.
 
I ran the beta version for a couple of months on the insider program, and to be honest, really liked it!
But I don't have an issue with Win8, but either way, W10 seems to be that happy medium people were looking for.

Of course the version I was on was incredibly buggy and needed constant (once a week?) reinstalling - but I have no doubt I'll update to W10 when the production version becomes available.
 
If you have a Win 7 license you will get a free Win 10 upgrade when it is released
 
It all depends on what you're after. Windows 7 works perfectly fine for most people and meets their needs but some people may wish to upgrade for the more "up to date" look.
 
Go into a shop & try Windows 8.1. If you hate it, like most of the rest of the world, then I'd suggest that you get Windows 7 64bit & keep it until Windows 11 comes out. Otherwise get Windows 8.1 & weep. ;)
 
Orange Elephant said:
Go into a shop & try Windows 8.1. If you hate it, like most of the rest of the world, then I'd suggest that you get Windows 7 64bit & keep it until Windows 11 comes out. Otherwise get Windows 8.1 & weep. ;)
Click to expand...
I have W7 64bit and like it.
I can't really say I know W8 but have spent many visits to my elderly mums trying to explain to her how her W8 laptop works and just don't get it.
From what you say I may not rush to upgrade, and don't care about getting a more up-to-date look -rather like me I guess..
 
Yep. I recently rebuilt my computer & put Windows 7 64bit on it again. The product roadmap does indicate that Windows 7 extended support will expire shortly after Windows 11 comes out. So my plan is to hang on until 2020 until the men in white coats come. :chicken:

For me, I don't think Microsoft have learnt their lesson just yet. Maybe with Windows 11 though.... (fingers crossed). :banghead:
 
Avoid Windows 8, I work on a Computer support desk and most of our customers (all ages) who run Windows 8/8.1 hate it, mostly because it's a different OS completely compared to XP/vista/7, it really is a big step up. From what I've heard and seen I think Windows 10 will be a lot easier to get used to, but I doubt i'll be in any hurry to upgrade from 7 to 10 on my Windows PC

Saying that though it is personal preference
 
I would stick with Win7 for now, until win10 is properly released.
 
I've had Windows 8.1 on a laptop for almost a year and it's fine.
With minor tweaks it looks almost the same as W7.
While resistance to change is understandable the vehement attacks on Windows 8 are kind of silly.

I tried W10 for a couple of weeks as a tech preview on teh W8 laptop, and it's similar to W8.
Nothing wrong with it and I never found a program that didn't run like it did on W8 and W7.
 
MH88 said:
Avoid Windows 8, I work on a Computer support desk and most of our customers (all ages) who run Windows 8/8.1 hate it, mostly because it's a different OS completely compared to XP/vista/7, it really is a big step up. From what I've heard and seen I think Windows 10 will be a lot easier to get used to, but I doubt i'll be in any hurry to upgrade from 7 to 10 on my Windows PC

Saying that though it is personal preference
Click to expand...

It's just a different front end really but pretty much the same OS with a few tweaks here and there.
 
MH88 said:
Avoid Windows 8, I work on a Computer support desk and most of our customers (all ages) who run Windows 8/8.1 hate it,
Click to expand...
How many people ever ring a support desk to say how much they like something?

I'll probably take the upgrade just to have laptop (8.1) and desktop (7) running the same OS. But only after I've seen enough feedback to know it will work with some of my more esoteric software that's running on the desktop.
 
I have Win 7 on my big laptop, I have partitioned and set up Win 10 as a dual boot on it, the current version 10049 runs extremely well. It definitely feels smoother and faster than Win 7 on the same machine.

I also run Win 8.1 on my travel laptop, as others have said, it's a good reliable system that works very well. The touch screen and Metro work very well, if you like the Win 7 look it's easy to hit one button and have the old fashioned desktop.
 
Thanks all for your replies and help - I think I'll stick with W7 for now and when W10 is released I'll have a play before doing anything rash....!
 
I work in IT (as a Network Engineer) and hated Windows 8 initially.

My company decided to upgrade all the work laptops to W8 so I was forced to use it.
Once I got used to it and tweaked it a little using the Classic Shell software to get the start menu back, I now use it without getting annoyed.

I will probably jump to Windows 10 from W7 on my home machine as its free but I likely wouldn't have paid for an upgrade.
 
Alastair said:
How many people ever ring a support desk to say how much they like something?
Click to expand...

We are a Support desk not a complaints desk. People don't ring up and just complain about their OS, it just gets mentioned generally in conversation. A lot of them know their way around the OS they just don't like it for their own reasons!

Like I said it's personal preference, some people like it some don't, but since Steve is after opinions, my opinion is to avoid it as I still think Win7>8(y)
 
Been using windows 8.1 for a while now on a laptop and really don't have any issues with, easy to use, fast and does all I want.
 
My laptop came with W7 64 bit and I'm quite content with it. I haven't read about any compelling reasons to 'upgrade' so I'll just stick with it, for now anyway. In the future, we'll see.
 
I guess one of the reasons for me asking this question was in part down to the way that in days of yore whenever one upgraded you sometimes lost the use of various other programs - I used to compile 'mix-tape' CD's using an early version of Nero which had a fantastic simple crossfade facility and I think it was when I upgraded to XP or maybe Vista I could no longer use that program.
I know things have changed and most half decent programs do keep up with OS upgrades but I don't want to find that I loose third party programs (not that I can think of any at present..) or have to spend too long learning a new system that doesn't seem to be logical to MY MIND - W8 in its first incarnation was such a thing..
 
I've moved from win 7 to win 10.
It isn't working properly yet but it has good promise, much better then win8(1).
stick with win 7 for now.
As a side note if you are using Lightroom make sure you are properly backed up as I lost some of the settings and adjustments (still not sure how)
 
It's a good upgrade. It's also going to be free.
W10 has a hell of a lot under the hood to make it a faster and better OS.
It will also introduce things like universal apps and other coolness that you are quite likely to want. I'd suggest if you're not sure you wait for it to come out of technical preview - otherwise try it now.

PS talks of "Windows 11" are silly.
 
Windows 8 is a fair bit quicker than windows 7 and it's not hard to make it look the same takes about 2 minutes.
 
landwomble said:
It's a good upgrade. It's also going to be free.
W10 has a hell of a lot under the hood to make it a faster and better OS.
It will also introduce things like universal apps and other coolness that you are quite likely to want. I'd suggest if you're not sure you wait for it to come out of technical preview - otherwise try it now.
Click to expand...

OK, I said I was content with W7 for now, but I'll listen. The problem is, I haven't a clue what 'universal apps and other coolness' might be, so I'm probably too much of a dinosaur to benefit from them! :D
 
I'd say if you're not fussed, hang fire until it's released, then take the free upgrade. Your machine will be quicker and more secure, and IMHO nicer to use
 
Get the drive now and just upgrade it when windows 10 comes out.

I really like windows 8.1. Search actually works, makes it easy to launch an application with navigating a stupid long start menu. But you can if you want, just click the windows key and swipe up. It's all there. However I can see that if you use a hybrid device it really comes into its own. Heck it made me move back from osx after a good decade.

Windows 10 with universal applications could be even better, and the introduction of multiple desktops. However I'm a little concerned about the retirement of full screen metro applications. I'm not convinced that a windowed version is a good experience.
 
I work in IT (as a Network Engineer) and hated Windows 8 initially.
Click to expand...
I'm surprised that a "IT Network Engineer" needs use of a start menu.
Since Windows 7, most competent computer users will pin the most common apps to the taskbar and use a combination of search and hotkeys to launch other applications.
 
redsnappa said:
I'm surprised that a "IT Network Engineer" needs use of a start menu.
Since Windows 7, most competent computer users will pin the most common apps to the taskbar and use a combination of search and hotkeys to launch other applications.
Click to expand...
I get what you are saying but the majority of the 'users' I have spoken to prefer the start menu. People have been used to it since Windows 95 and to get rid of it was silly. It's back in Windows 10 so that tells you that Microsoft got a lot of stick and decided to bring it back.
 
noneforit said:
Once I got used to it and tweaked it a little using the Classic Shell software to get the start menu back, I now use it without getting annoyed.
Click to expand...

I'm not in IT but I completely agree with Noneforit. I didn't like Win 8 'out of the box' but it does seem fast to start up and close down compared to XP and Win 7.

Classic shell menu just makes Win 8 so much easier to use.
 
Derek_W said:
Classic shell menu just makes Win 8 so much easier to use.
Click to expand...
I don't hear Mac users complaining about the lack of a start menu. Maybe Mac users are more adaptable to change than the average Windows user.
 
noneforit said:
I get what you are saying but the majority of the 'users' I have spoken to prefer the start menu. People have been used to it since Windows 95 and to get rid of it was silly. It's back in Windows 10 so that tells you that Microsoft got a lot of stick and decided to bring it back.
Click to expand...
Actually it was not and is not gone; just press the windows key and it is right there....Pinned to start on first Metro page, and when swipe-up it is there in the old school format grouped by their folders.

@redsnappa I agree, I've come from the Mac and apple+spacebar to open spotlight was a joy. But actually in Windows 8, just pressing the windows key and start typing works very well as well. Best and quickest way to launch and find anything opposed to navigating through a maze of folders and structures. Going straight to where you want instead of driving the whole journey makes more sense. Heck even Jean-Luc likes the teleport :)
 
One of the things I like about w8.1 is the simplicity of actually installing it - very quick and easy compared with w7!

Once it is set to boot directly to the desktop rather than the useless default "metro" desktop it works just like w7 - the "start" menu is still there, the only difference is you need to remember to right click to activate it as left clicking launches the "metro" desktop!

The "charms" menu is a pain as sometimes shows if you move the mouse to the bottom right screen corner in a certain way - have not figured how to kill this minor annoyance.
 
I've actually got the nightmare of a main machine that's running 32 Bit Vista Home Premium. It's a complete PITA and it's likely to be a nightmare to migrate the stuff thats on it... I reckon I'm looking at a complete machine swap and gradual piecemeal movement to the new rig...

I keep computers far longer than is probably sensible, so I guess I'll go for the most up to date I can when I move... At least I'll be able to run the more recent incarnations of the Adobe software, i'm beginning to feel like some kind of troglodyte when I mention I use CS5 and lightroom 4.4!
 
redsnappa said:
I don't hear Mac users complaining about the lack of a start menu. Maybe Mac users are more adaptable to change than the average Windows user.
Click to expand...

But I'm not a Mac user. I tried a Mac several years ago and I didn't like the interface so I stuck with Windows. I doubt whether Mac users are any more adaptable to change than Windows users. They don't complain about a lack of a start menu because a Mac hasn't had one and they knew that before buying the computer.

Not sure what point you were trying to make..... :thinking:
 
I think the point is, just because a start menu was the done thing in 1995 it doesn't mean that in the current day it actually makes a lot of sense or is the quickest best way. The world moves on and there are better way, but then again if you truly want to be stuck with those ancient ways they are still there...

Others have caught on to that as well as Fedora, Ubuntu, etc all have a very similar philosophy...It makes sense as it hides unimportant stuff out of the way, and at the same time provides much quicker access to what you need. Remembering the journey of where stuff is has always been an alien concept to me...The journey isn't the important part, the stuff is ;) Output driven....Nice...
 
redsnappa said:
I don't hear Mac users complaining about the lack of a start menu. Maybe Mac users are more adaptable to change than the average Windows user.
Click to expand...

Some of the mac users i know still use the dock. (Which is effectively the same as a start menu)

Its all down to personal preference at the end of day, i still prefer the start menu, and as mentioned, have also downloaded classic shell.

Windows 8 seems to be designed more for tablet use, its a bit fiddly to use with a mouse in my opinion without the start menu.
 
dejongj said:
I think the point is, just because a start menu was the done thing in 1995 it doesn't mean that in the current day it actually makes a lot of sense or is the quickest best way. The world moves on and there are better way, but then again if you truly want to be stuck with those ancient ways they are still there...

Others have caught on to that as well as Fedora, Ubuntu, etc all have a very similar philosophy...It makes sense as it hides unimportant stuff out of the way, and at the same time provides much quicker access to what you need. Remembering the journey of where stuff is has always been an alien concept to me...The journey isn't the important part, the stuff is ;) Output driven....Nice...
Click to expand...

I understand what you mean. There are many ways of quick access. I use shortcuts on the desktop and taskbar and also keyboard shortcuts but for finding less used programs the start menu worked well.

Sphinx said:
Some of the mac users i know still use the dock. (Which is effectively the same as a start menu)

Its all down to personal preference at the end of day, i still prefer the start menu, and as mentioned, have also downloaded classic shell.

Windows 8 seems to be designed more for tablet use, its a bit fiddly to use with a mouse in my opinion without the start menu.
Click to expand...

Perhaps the problem with Win 8 is simply that it was designed to be used with touch screens and they weren't readily available when the program first came out so many people disliked the program without actually trying it whereas I tried it for about 3 months and found it clumsy before I downloaded the classic start shell menu.

I've probably used every version of Windows there's been and the only two I didn't like were Vista and Win 8.
 
I agree with that. My experience is primarily on a Surface Pro 3 and on the side (for when I used my big screen) I've also got a 'touch' mouse....They both integrate beautifully and make the experience natural and fluid....Then again I tend to find using keyboard short cuts and touching the screen much much quicker to move around do my stuff opposed to moving my hands towards a mouse...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top