Windows 10

I don't have it downloaded, I believe that's because I have automatic updates disabled. I like to control what's downloaded. Very disappointing to know with Win 10 Home you can't disable automatic updates

That's correct. Windows 7 Home Premium becomes Windows 10 Home (no premium).

You're asking how much storage space Win 10 Home default installation uses. Is that correct? I never really pay attention to that. I'm guessing around 10GB? (just a wild guess). I'm curious, why asked?

Yes that is correct but I'm sure it's far greater than 10gb.
My Win7 is about 20gb with only essential programs loaded.

The reason I ask is I frequently do image backups of my PC, the larger the operating system files the longer it takes to back up. I've always disabled Windows Restore feature, I found it useless compared to an imaging program.

Whenever I add new software I always take an image before installation. This way if something goes wrong, or I don't like the software. I restore the image and there is no trace of any changes made. The majority of programs always leave orphaned files or registry entries that in time slow down the system.
I'm anal in that sense but I like things to be as efficient as possible.

I still have XP loaded on my Desktop and have it streamlined to 2.6gb, doing an image on that unit takes me about a minute so I do it quite frequently. My Win 7 takes about 15 minutes so I do it less often unless installing new software.

Just back from short trip and see the upgrade 1511,10586 for the Home Edition was ready for download.

ok....after waiting to see how 10 will work for others it looks like I will be taking the plung

I am thinking of upgrading over the Thanksgiving break.

I did have win 10 pro installed and I let it install the upgraded win 10, and I'm still checking it out, it still boots straight to my desktop without sign in each time ! it seems to have taken out my startisback program ! it told me I had to change my cookies settings, I did long enough for it to stop bugging me then reset it back to not accepting them again. I'm running cc cleaner so I can keep cookies I want and when I close the browser it deletes all others ! it also turned a few things on that I disabled before the update . I also have Malwarebytes and Kaspersky internet security running so I have enough protection going on for what I do ! I just don't care for some of Microsoft's "good intentions " and I try to disable some of them ,

when u upgrade u might want to look at DoNotSpy. it is a utility to control all the new spy features W10 has. I DO NOT recommend turning off any automatic updates for windows or other programs.
The rest u can decide on with a simple chk box.

Windows 10 is so freaking fragile... one wrong setting change and you have to reinstall it. I did so 4 times already!

This update was a more substantial than I was expecting when I found it waiting for me yesterday morning.

I went ahead and let the computer proceed with the update, and it took a couple hours and several reboots to download and install. The process was very similar to the initial Windows 10 upgrade I did last summer.

The update process went smoothly, apart from a couple of PCs that needed to retry and download the update again. Eventually, all of the PCs successfully completed the update.

I haven't went looking for changes; but I did notice some new "lock screen" backgrounds automatically appearing, and the task bar search icon was automatically replaced with Cortana.

YMMV

Jonathan

A lot of space can be taken up by automatic backups of previous windows installation(s).

If you run Windows' "Disk Cleanup" application, you can see how much space is being used by old window installations:

1) Start "Disk Cleanup"

2) Click the "Clean up system files" button

3) Look for "Previous Windows installation(s)" on the list of files to delete.

For example, the PC I'm using right now has 15.6 gigabytes of space used by these backups.

If you're happy with the way your computer is running, you can go ahead and let Disk Cleanup remove the files. This can free up a lot of space.

Jonathan

I have windows 10 running on all my computers and have not had any problems no matter what settings I have changed. It has been the most trouble free new windows version to date and I have run every version since windows first release.

I cannot figure out what settings you could have made that would have caused you to have to reinstall it once much less 4 times.

I have installed the latest just release major update on my computers this morning and took only about 65 minutes per computer and one reboot and it was done.

It was a large update for sure. Felt like I was doing the original Windows 10 installation. Looking at some of the new features now. Media transfer looks interesting. Supposed to work like my Chromecast. It also talks about screen mirroring like I have on my tablet. Those with Windows phones may like the call missed features. Lots to look at here on the new update. http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2015/11/14/windows-1...

Done the disk cleanup right after the installation.

Too much junk with this download, I uninstalled it.

i still like windows 10 better then 8.1

so whats the general consensus? is it better than 7/8.1?

Well, here are my thoughts after about 3 months on Win 10 (and about a year on 8/8.1 and several years on Win 7).

For my setups, all of these versions were stable.

I've been using Windows with desktops / laptops, but not tablets.

They all started with freshly installed OS and apps, and I generally avoid adding anything that I can do without.

For my normal day-to-day work, I always use an account with standard access privileges; and I have a separate admin account that's only used for systems administration. This seems to do a good job keeping malware off the PCs.

Win 7 and Win 10 both have a well thought out desktop experience. The separate start screen on Windows 8/8.1 was a kludge.

One thing I do like in Windows 10 is the new multiple desktop feature. I use one desktop for normal email and web browsing and another for programming tools. It would be nicer if each desktop had it's own space for storing files, but that's not the case. All of the desktops show the same files/folders. So basically it ends up being just a way to group together a set of open windows; but that alone has been useful for me.

One thing I don't like much about Windows 10 is that a lot of the defaults are not what you'd want if you don't want to be tracked. This takes some attention and effort to avoid.

On Win 8/8.1 & 10, I've used local user accounts rather than signing in with a Microsoft account, and I carefully review the privacy settings after the initial setup and after major updates. The new Microsoft Edge browser doesn't have any setting to startup with InPrivate mode by default, so I'm still using Internet Explorer as my default "anonymous" browser. And I use Chrome (with a few separate profile instances) for browsing sites where I want to have cookies saved.

I do have one PC that I haven't upgraded to Win 10. It runs Windows 7 Pro, which also has XP Mode (virtual machines). I keep it disconnected from the network and use it to run some really old PBX management software (that requires a version of Java that's no longer maintained). I don't want this old software on any of my regular machines.

== my take ==

Before this summer, I had a mix of OS levels on different machines. Now, it's nice to have everything standardized on the same OS.

This is the main benefit for me.

Jonathan (aka JM)

I don't get it... you don't trust Microsoft and don't want them to spy on you but you trust software utility developed by some unknown developers? Between the two choices (Microsoft or some unknown software developer), I'd rather have Microsoft spy on me.

to 10 and did a few updates and programs started freezing. Went back to 8.1. Don't know.

Looks like we are back to Windows 3.1 It was time when wrong installation was killing whole system and required full reinstall. Looks like Windows is like fashion: every 20 or so years we get this same thing in different box

What setting are you referring to?

I've installed Windows 10 to 2 different machines (Desktop & Laptop)and have never encountered a setting that I could not change back if needed. Even the fall update which seemed massive (resembled a completely new installation) went without any problems for both installations.

Were you trying to accomplish something special specific to your installation?

I got the update yesterday and let it install while I was at work. It wanted to reboot a final time. All was well. Checked for more updates and got one for Flash.

The only thing I have noticed, is a change to the background color when shutting down. Changed from gray to blue.

Will do the cleanup as I don't see any reason to go back.

After reading this thread, and having the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" philosophy, I'm sticking with 8.1 for now. It's fast, stable, and I don't have a problem with the user interface.

The one thing I cannot tolerate is forced Windows updates, and that is really the deal breaker for me with not getting 10.

I've got until July 2016 to decide, and I'm going to really think long and hard about going to 10.

I just bought a new computer with Windows 10 in it. It is hard to get used to it. Some times it work perfectly with Poi-factory. But, sometime I feel like boxing this thing up and take it back to the store. It is getting to the unread post I am having problems with.

If you are updating to Win10, be sure you check the manufacture of your PC for win10 updates, don't count on windows update to do this most manufactures have began to update drivers for systems updating to Win 10 from 7 or 8

Good advice for PC's with smaller drives.

Microsoft recommends using the following to remove the old windows backup files. They will be automatically deleted after a month but if you want to erase them before then you can do the following:

Go to All Settings, then Storage, select the Drive, then select Temporary Files and then you will see the Previous Version of Windows size and you can then click on the "Delete Previous Versions" button if you want to remove the files now or just wait a month and they will be removed automatically.

I have two computers, one using Bit Defender and the other one McAfee. They both ran into trouble after the major November Windows 10 update. Bit Defender was disabled and I had to re-enable it. McAfee was so messed-up I needed tech support to get it up and running again.

It's a pity because the Windows 10 experience has been good otherwise. I'm not sure if the problem is with the OS or with the anti-virus apps needing more preps for OS update.

my old Acer Aspire One Netbook to the latest Windows 10 Version 1511 (OS build 10586.3) -- what's being referred a the "November Update." It took almost 2 hours even though I had already upgraded and been running the earlier Windows 10 release. Not a big surprise since the little netbook is pretty under powered

Then updated the POI's on both our 2455LMT and 2555LMT Nuvi's using POI Loader with absolutely no problems. Haven't tested the latest Windows 10 version very thoroughly, but it looks good so far!

Just another data point for those who might be waiting to upgrade....

Was loving W10 even though it had some hiccups but the Nov update really gave me a hard time. Upgrading was fine but had network issues that I was working on for days to get computers to see each other once again. Almost completely there but still some lingering issues.

Have not upgraded to Windows 10 on my Windows 7.

I am wanting a new computer for Christmas (husband said nothing wrong with the one I have). I like to get a new one about every 3 or 4 years. This time I am having trouble finding one much better than the one I have. It looks like not much has changed since my last one. Can't decide whether to get a new one now or hold out a little longer to see if anything newer comes along.

I just bought a new Toshiba and it came with Wind10. I believe that all new computer comes with Windows 10. Luckily
my wife new Windows 10 . The only problem she had was when she transfer all the files from the old computer to the new one. It had to be wireless. It stop the transfer half , way through. It ask her if she wanted to restart or resume. After a few restart and it didn't work,she finally use resume and all the files transferred to the new computer. No problem after that. I didn't buy the touch screen I wanted to use the mouse.

Still holding on to windows 7

It's sad how so many people hold on to older versions just to avoid "change".

I guess that once you get used to crashes and stalls .... it becomes the "new normal"!

The new Microsoft Edge is a good idea that is improving all the time .... but not yet ready enough for me. The many improvements of IE still makes it my preference.

Security concerns once adjusted to user preferences are no worse than previous versions....

One thing is sure, whether you prefer corporate (Windows) or open source(Linux), you can only use the code as the authors intended .... whether you see the code execution/result or not. The rest is only propaganda!

We have it on to new laptops. Both had 8 with option to upgrade when 10 was released. We did as soon as we were notified, and have not had any real problems except the learning curve.

It's not only computer (like laptop) manufacturer drivers. It's good idea to check for drivers on parts manufacturer. Example can be make of nVidia video cards. Drivers form Windows update can be really behind the time.

Still running Windows 8.1. Don't have any problems except I don't like the new interface. Will have to upgrade, at some point. Maybe this Thanksgiving.

Windows 10 has everything that I loved about windows 7 and just the very best parts of windows 8. Haven't regretted making the move to windows 10 for a minute and I haven't talked to anyone that has regretted upgrading to the new windows.

Very important to recheck the privacy settings after major updates if you're trying not to share everything with Microsoft. Not all but many users have posted that the November 2015 updates reset privacy settings to Microsoft's defaults--that is: share share share with Microsoft. So everybody who thinks you took care of this when you first installed Windows 10: check and be sure you still have the settings the way you want.

Microsoft also reportedly renamed some services and created some new ones, reset the apps, etc., which may have potential to create new privacy issues this month and in the future. I expect privacy to be an ongoing and escalating battle within Windows 10, not a one-time, set-it-and-forget-it deal with the initial upgrade installation.

Thank you JM for sharing your mostly positive upgrade experience in detail.

Me as well

Really impressed how Windows stepped there OS up!

I just read there was something wrong with the November update the only problem I'm having so far is with the edge browser if I go to google with it, it seems it seems to freeze up and when playing games on steam the back ground apps are using so much memory it will crash the games. if I go to the task manager and turn some of the back ground apps off the games run good. ive got 16 gigs of ram and a graphic's card with 4 gigs ram so windows is using a lot more of my memory then before !

They just removed the stand alone software upgrade option using the software to force an install at any time. They said that they now want all updates and upgrades to be though the standard update that is built in to windows 10. You can still use the MediaCreationTool app to create install media and use that to install if you do not want to use the normal update process but is will first install the July 2015 Windows 10 OS and then you have to get the November update using the normal windows update process.

"Windows 10 November update no longer available for standalone installation"

http://www.techspot.com/news/62875-windows-10-november-updat...

ive been using it for about 2 months now and i really like it . have a tablet runnung it and my desktop too . it has a few quirks but overall i still like windows . wifes a ios fan with a iphone and a ipad .

I have been peeking into this thread from time to time but have not read all 844 replies so sorry if this has been covered already ...

I have two computers, a laptop and a desktop, both were running windows7, the desktop, home, and the laptop, pro.

This past weekend I decided to take the plunge with the laptop. I wanted to wait until 10 had its first "service pack" put out. I know they don't call it that anymore but that's basically what this latest update was.

Anyway, a few concerns I had were losing my POP Windows Live mail, the ability to play/burn DVD's, losing my Word Starter 2010, and a few other things.

All three still work after the upgrade, much joy, and I didn't have to download anything extra, Word still works and I was able to use WiFi to send a document to my printer, and I have not set-up the newer version of Microsoft's mail program and still receive my mail via POP and my Windows Live Mail program with no problem.

I was able to drag and drop some music onto a DVD and burn it with no problem, I still have a few other things to try, like burning from an ISO file and copy a disk, but so far so good.

So far the only differences, and it's been less than a week, are a couple bluetooth related things were discarded during set-up as they were not compatible, never used anything with bluetooth via the computer so no loss for me, and the look of the "all programs" and other "start button" area items.

On a side not, when the setup started there was a nice big blue button in the lower right of the screen which was to give you an express type set up, but over in the lower left, in very small print, was a "custom" setup link. I always choose custom when given a choice so I can see what's being installed. FWIW, the custom set-up took me through a lot of the settings that were to be applied, a lot of them to do with the phoning home stuff and whether or not I wanted to help with the sharing of files for other users. Basically, nearly everything that would have been a default setting I turned off.

I'm still holding out for a while on my desktop, at least until I find my way around in 10, Microsoft has a habit of changing the name of things, even though they still do the same thing they used to.

Installed on old laptop. Will finally install on my worker. Fingers crossed.

Those of you who have upgraded from Windows 7 to windows 10:

Do you have a much better system?

Does it seem like you have something new?
(or)
Something better?
(or)
Just the same with different ways?

I'd say nearly the same, with different names/ways, so far, but as I mentioned a few posts ago, I've only had it on the laptop for a few days and haven't given it a thorough workout.

After running windows 10 since July I would say it is something better in most every way. without a doubt the most trouble free and fastest of any windows version to date. I really liked windows 7 and could not see ever moving on from that but have nor regretted the upgrade to 10 for one minute. The only thing that is not working with windows 10 that I was using in windows 7 is one 16 bit program and that is only because when I upgraded I went from windows 7 32bit to windows 10 64bit. If I had went with windows 10 32 bit even that program would have still worked. As far as hardware everything that was installed before the upgrade was still working the same after the upgrade.

I've seen quite a few people mention, faster, fastest, etc, please explain, in what way(s)?

I'm not seeing any difference, in fact it appears the boot up is slower. I have two user accounts, one of which is almost never logged onto, Windows 7 would default to whichever was the last to long on during the next boot-up, 10 is always going to the account I never use (it's for my wife in case her laptop wasn't working) and switching users takes several attempts.

The first time I click switch user I get a scenic background with a clock, if I click (anywhere) on the screen again I'll see the choices for a second or two and then back to the account I don't use, the next attempt will normally get to my log on screen.