Consultant’s Corner: Upgrading to Windows 10

Q: I’m currently running Windows 7 and Windows XP on my computers, and I’m considering upgrading to Windows 10. What are the pros and cons?

Microsoft stopped providing extended support and issuing updates (including security updates) for Windows XP over a year old, so if you are still using XP you should consider upgrading to Windows 10 even though you may not be able to utilize all of Windows 10’s features if you have an older PC. If you are concerned about upgrading to Windows 10, then at the very least you should consider upgrading to Windows 7 if you can locate a lower cost upgrade version of the program. The following is related XP support and update information from Microsoft:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/end-support-help

Of course, if you have an older PC, you will want to make certain your PC meets the minimum hardware requirements for running Windows 10 before beginning the upgrade process. You can find the minimum hardware requirements for running Windows 10 and other Windows 10 specifications at the Microsoft website:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-specifications#sysreqs

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-specifications

As to upgrading from Windows 7 or 8.1 to Windows 10, if your PC is currently running Windows 7 and it’s working well, there is no compelling reason to rush out and upgrade in our opinion, even though Windows 10 is currently being offered for free. It may be worth waiting to see how Windows 10 is received in the marketplace before upgrading. If you are using Windows 8.1 on your PC, then upgrading to Windows 10 might be a good idea as it addresses some user frustrations with the 8.1 version of Windows.

In terms of the specific pros and cons of upgrading from Windows 7 or 8.1 to Windows 10, here are some specific pros and cons.

Pros

• Device Guard security feature blocks zero-day attacks
• Windows Hello security feature uses biometrics to secure your device rather than passwords
• Security updates are delivered immediately to protect you from hackers
• Windows Store apps run on any device
• You can connect a phone or tablet to a monitor using the new “Continuum” feature

Cons

• As a brand new release, Windows 10 has had many bugs, and Microsoft is still releasing a number of bug fixes, which oftentimes raise new bugs of their own
• If you’re used to Windows 10, you will have to adjust to the new interface. It is more intuitive than Windows 8, though.
• Windows Media Center and a few other familiar features have been removed from Windows 10
• Because of the mandatory Windows updates, you’ll use more data than under Windows 7

Source: http://pctechmag.com/2015/08/windows-10-vs-windows-8-vs-windows-7-the-pros-and-cons/