Windows 10 Update Considerations

[CA_Traveler]

I haven’t installed Windows 10 (W10) preferring to wait for more stable releases. But whatever you decide I recommend extensive research because W10 may not be what you expect or want.

My main concern is privacy. W10 privacy features are turned on by default and some cannot be turned off. I don’t like the unrestricted data transfers to MS.

As an RVer my second main concern about W10 is my capped data and internet bandwidth with my Verizon MiFi. W10 has mandatory updates which restrict me from delaying the updates out a month or two as I approach the limit for the current month. I do keep my systems updated within this restriction. Note that the data restriction does not apply if I use someone else’s WiFi for which security may be a concern.

Microsoft (MS) has a history of multiple large updates per month plus some are a disaster so I never immediately update. W10 has some capability of update delay but not enough for me.

My third main concern is upgrading my two current laptops to W10. The upgrade for each laptop involves down loading about 3GB of data. Then if I want a clean install I have to download W10 a second time.

Another major concern is that upgrading all too often fails. There are credible reports in the media to this effect. Also updated drivers for printers, display hardware etc for W10 may not or ever be available.

For many W10 is a good experience and that is great but for others not so great. The first major major update has just started (11/15) which should improve W10.

My laptops don’t have touch screens and they are not a tablet or phone. And I don’t want the tile style Start window. I would install a vendor program that allows the use of a more traditional Start window when/if I start using W10.

MS is moving towards cloud based paid subscription software like office and data storage. This approach due to privacy and increased access time do not appeal to me.

There may be fewer issues with new hardware and W10 installed. That does not mean that older devices like printers will work however and you may also be exposed to future update problems.

I have other concerns about W10 and I can only repeat to do your own research. A free upgrade does not mean that there will be no costs involved.

[CA_Traveler]

Tom M,

Thanks for that link. Ideally I'd like to download once and use that download to upgrade, test for some time and then use the same download to do a clean install. My understanding is that you cannot do this with one download.

Clean installs to multiple PCs with one download is supported.

[willi4nd]

Wife is upgrading now...wish her luck....wish me luck if it doesnt work lol

[Tom_M1]

CA Traveler wrote:
My third main concern is upgrading my two current laptops to W10. The upgrade for each laptop involves down loading about 3GB of data. Then if I want a clean install I have to download W10 a second time.

You can either create a USB or DVD by going to the follow site:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Scroll down the page and click the "Download tool now" button. This will download the tool to create a USB or DVD to install Windows 10 from. This one-time download will allow you to install Windows on multiple machines.

[Sam_Spade]

CA Traveler wrote:

I have other concerns about W10 and I can only repeat to do your own research. A free upgrade does not mean that there will be no costs involved.

I bought both my laptops right as Win 8 was released; those pre-loaded with 7 were on sale.

I have no intention of "upgrading" again.....ever maybe.

I would still be on XP if that was practical.

[sremsing]

I will not be upgrading my 8.1 to 10. I will get 10 whenever I need to buy another laptop. I have absolutely no problems with what I currently have,so if it ain't broke,don't fix it.

[ksg5000]

If you Google you will find plenty of articles that tell you how to turn off all the info that transmits to Microsoft - takes about 5 minutes from Google/implementing --- no big deal. In my mind Windows 10 works just fine - don't like Microsoft Edge but I use Mozilla anyway.

[CA_Traveler]

And some predict that the second major update for W10 will arrive in June...

[strollin]

The first major update for Windows 10, called "Threshold 2" started going out via Windows Update today.

What’s New in Windows 10’s First Big Update (Which Arrives Today)

[valhalla360]

Having just bought a laptop with W8, W10 is a huge improvement.

I do have to check on the update controls though.

[sch911]

For PC's the default is the start menu, not the tiled start page. Win 10 is easily the best Windows version since 7....

[joebedford]

I'm waaay more concerned about privacy violations with smartphones. That's why I don't have one. My two PCs are running W10.

[vic46]

Windows 10 is free to qualified users until July 28, 2016, the one year anniversary of the launch of the W10 operating system.
I am not going to update until likely July. Let the Microsoft folks get clear of some of the bugs!

[fj12ryder]

I must have the magic computers. I have never had an issue with any of the 4 computers I have running W7. One has auto updates since it is Peggy's and she doesn't want to mess with anything like that. The rest I update when I remember to do it. Nothing has ever crashed, nothing has caused any problems.

I really do find it hard to believe that these 4 computers are such anomalies. Maybe that old saying about the CKB interface joke actually has a grain of truth. LOL 🙂

[CA_Traveler]

Clay L wrote:
Regarding the capped data. There is a way to turn the auto updates off.

SEE HERE

Thanks I had not seen that article.

Ed does post a lot of good information including this from the same article:

By the way, if you find this utility intriguing I recommend one additional Windows 10 tweak. By default, System Restore has been turned off on every system I've tested throughout the preview program. If you re-enable this feature, Windows resumes the practice of automatically creating a restore point before installing each new batch of patches from Windows Update, making it easier to roll back an entire batch of updates while you investigate which one is troublesome.

I'll have step-by-step instructions for that option later.

Wonder why the automatic restore is off by default. Ohhhhh... Never mind I just remembered that there is never a issue with their downloads. :h

[DutchmenSport]

From the very first minute I got my last lap-top, EVERY time I turned it on, and EVERY time I turned it off it wanted nothing but updates. I could never just jump on the machine, power up, look at some of my photos I've saved in my C-drive and get out. I had to wait, sometimes a couple hours for the stupid updates to stop. I tried everything to stop them. My wife tried, my son tried (who is a computer programmer and a former Best Buy Geek Squad employee). The updates continued and continued and continued.

Finally, the last round of updates was trying to force me to update to W10. I had to let it do something, never did the W10 though. But, that last round of updates, it hosed up my computer. Long story short, I restored the original computer with the "Restore". I raised "he!!" with Best Buy, because that's were the computer was purchased (that did not help).

It did finally work perfect for two attempts at booting up from cold. then when shutting down that 3rd time! Yup! Forced update! I had no choice, I let it go. 130 updates! And then when I went to turn it back on ... yup! Blue screen of death again!

After struggling with this over a month, I realized (my suspicion only, since I'm a conspiracy theorist fan).... Microsoft did not like me for rejecting Windows 10, so they deliberately forced an update that toasted my computer, forcing me to either update to 10, or buy a new computer.

Since I was never happy with that lap top, I ended up buying a new laptop. It already had W10 installed. I dropped the old one in the trash. Since the hard drive was reformatted 3 times doing restores, I wasn't concerned about any personal data ... it was all gone.

So, the new computer ... it took me about a week to go through and try to find all the settings to stop the updates, in all my applications. Then when attempting to re-install Google Chrome ... something bizzar happened! Pop-up adds all over everywhere, and I mean .... everywhere!

Another week with my son, my wife hearing 4 letter words I've not used in a LONG time coming from under my breath, and popping dozens of high blood pressure pills in excess to what I'm suppose to take already! .... no one could figure it out.

OK ... since I hadn't loaded anything personal on the new lap top yet, I did it! I did the restore! Got everything working perfect, no problems since, and I've been a happy camper ..... except.....

I never attempted to install Google Chrome again! I'm sticking with Firefox.

Windows 10 ... yes.... I think it sucks!