Best prepare now if you plan on upgrading to Windows 10
Microsoft hopes users won’t skip this new operating system
At the end of this month, Microsoft will again release a major upgrade to its Windows operating system. While the software giant always insists that each new version of Windows is the best ever, there’s a lot more riding this time around on what’s being called Windows 10.
Microsoft is relying heavily on Windows 10 to move the company and its users forward. Many Microsoft users skipped the 8.x series altogether, and Microsoft has to be worried Windows 7, its now 6-year-old operating system, will live stubbornly past its prime. That’s one big reason Microsoft is giving away Windows 10 to users of Win7 and Win8.1 during its first year.
The release comes on July 29, but only for certain users. Those in the Windows Insider program who have been running preview versions of Windows 10 will get it first through Windows Update. Then, according to Microsoft, it will be rolled out to those Windows 7 and 8.1 users who have indicated they want the upgrade. It will eventually be offered to everyone through Microsoft’s Windows Store.
Should you upgrade to Windows 10? As always, the answer is: It depends. Its features may or may not compel you.
The new version restores the Start menu abandoned in Windows 8 but grafts onto it one of the best features of Windows 8: Live Tiles, which show in-
formation generated by the apps on your computer. It also includes better cloud integration, including Windows One Drive.
There’s a new Web browser to replace Internet Explorer, and if you’ve got an Xbox One, you can stream games from it to your Windows 10 PC.
Microsoft’s Siri-like personal assistant, Cortana, is integrated into Windows 10’s search function.
And the program’s look and feel will change based on whether you’re using it on a traditional PC or a tablet.
We’re less than four weeks away from the initial release, but if you plan on upgrading to Window 10, it’s a good idea to start preparing now. Here are the key steps you should take to get your computer ready.
• Back up your data. While operating system upgrades are generally a much smoother process than they used to be, it’s always smart to make a backup of your critical data before proceeding. Make sure your documents, photos, videos, music and other key files are stored in a location other than your hard drive.
Windows has its own backup systems, Backup and Restore in Win7 and File History in Win8.1. There are also plenty of commercial backup programs; you can use any of several cloud-based backup services; or you can just plug in an external USB drive and copy files to that.
Of course, you’re already making backups of your data on a regular basis anyway, right?
• Check app and device compatibility. If you’re using Windows 7 or 8.1 and have let your system run regular updates, you should have the Get Windows 10 app on your system. When you run it, it will check your hardware and software for compatibility, and warn you of any conflicts or deficiencies. As is often the case, if you’ve been clinging to older versions of your favorite software rather than updating as new releases come up, you may find they won’t work with Windows 10.
In terms of hardware, Windows 10 should be more forgiving. Here are the system requirements for the new operating system:
Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster.
RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit)
Free hard disk space: 16 GB.
Graphics card: Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver.
Those specifications should look familiar. They are the same hardware requirements for Windows 7 and 8.1, which means that any PC running those versions of Windows can run the new one. Still, if you’ve been thinking about upgrading your memory or storage, now is a good time to do it.
But if you are using hardware that’s been around, say, five years or longer, make sure your manufacturer will supply Windows 10 hardware drivers for it. This is particularly true of older graphics cards and printers. Microsoft may provide generic drivers that work with these, but if makers of these components opt not to create new drivers, you may lose some capabilities with the OS upgrade.
• If you don’t have one, get a Microsoft account. Those Microsoft system requirements also include “A Microsoft account and Internet access.” This is because Windows 10, like Windows 8.1, makes use of cloud services in convenient ways. Settings and even apps can be easily synced across Windows 10 PCs, so any system at which you log in will essentially work like your own computer.
But for those who aren’t comfortable with cloudbased services, Windows expert Ed Bott has welcome news: You don’t really need a Microsoft account with Windows 10. Microsoft accounts have been urged since Win8, but you have been able to keep using your PC with a socalled local account. That will continue, Bott says.
“If someone upgrades from a Windows 7 machine with a local account, the upgrade will use that local account and offer to connect to a Microsoft account,” Bott said. “You can easily say no.”
Still, Bott and Microsoft strongly recommend a Windows account — it will make everything from transferring apps and settings to sharing documents easier. “If you’re worried about privacy,” Bott adds, “create a new account just for this purpose.”
Of course, the simplest way to get Windows 10 is to buy a new computer with it pre-installed. But if you want to keep your current hardware and plan on upgrading, make sure you’ve taken the steps mentioned above. You’ll be glad you did.