I like it better than Windows 8.1. It was a free upgrade.

I thought we would have to pay for it eventually to keep it. Not true?

www.windowscentral.com/how-prepare-your-pc-windows-10-upgrade

raven: How do you have yours blocked so it won't download? The icon was sitting in my tray and would occasionally pop up telling me it was available if I wanted it. I've now hidden that icon and the notifications. Should I do something else so it can't sneak in a download without my permission?

Shirley

It likely will come back. There is now available a free little program you can download and install and just click on the buttons to block the update options. Originally there was only one kb number to block but now there are multiple so using the program is the easiest method and it's fully reversible. Here's a link to the page and instructions. He even did a YouTube video.

GWX stopper

I switched from 8.1 to Windows 10 yesterday. So far, I like it fine, no problems at all, knock on wood. It looks exactly the same way I had 8.1 set up, except the display colors in Firefox are slightly different, no biggie. No problems.

I like it much better than Windows 8.1

By any chance does it come with Word & Excel or do you still have to purchase those?

I have a new laptop that came with Win 8 and was upgraded to 8.1. I did load and install Win 10 and it is a little better than 8.1. It boots faster; The interface is about the same - both hideous.

I prefer Win 7 which I have on my desktop and I keeping that version. My laptop had a good price and came bundled with Win 8, otherwise, I would have loaded 7 in it. I'm using the laptop to become familiar with Win 10 anticipating the day when Win 7 is no longer supported. At that juncture, I'll have to decide to stick with Windows or switch operating system to maybe a flavor of UNIX. I am not a big fan of UNIX, but both UNIX and the new Win 8/10 have big learning curves. UNIX is not a vicious system.

Just this week, my wife had a disaster with her laptop. It had Win 8.1. Win 10 got loaded and then installed without giving her a chance to refuse. or at least, that's the way she perceived it. It made a big mess for her. A number of her applications became hidden and she had trouble finding those. Some may be lost. She's POed. She'd like to return to her former system, but that doesn't appear easy to do.

Raven: Did you download as an installer or a standalone executable? If info is needed, I have Win 8.1

Thanks for your help.

Shirley

My computer man said not to do it yet....too many bugs still need to be worked out.

No, Word, Excel and other Office components are not included in the operating system. They never have and probably never will.

I've removed the "Get Windows 10" icon and chosen to not take them up on their offer for now. I just bought a new computer and am considering putting it on there but decided to definitely wait at least 6 months to a year to see how many issues are common and after waiting I just see no reason to upgrade. I like how things are working, I like Windows 7 as far as Windows goes and don't like what I've seen of Windows 10. Eventually of course I'll have to move up but I've had better luck with just buying a new machine with the new operating system on it than I've had with upgrading OSs on older machines. I also have several older programs that I like and I'm not sure if it'll run under 10 so there's another reason to stay put for now.

Getting rid of the Win10 icon is very easy to do. Start the task manager and go to processes, and end process on gwx.exe. (Which stands for "Get Windows X" Roman numeral for 10) Then open Windows Update and click “Installed Updates” and find Update for Microsoft Windows (KB3035583) and uninstall it. Reboot and it'll be gone. However there's one more step many people forget: When Windows Update wants to reinstall it, tell it no and hide that update and you'll be free from the Get Windows 10 nag at least for a while. Not a lot of effort in involved in doing this just don't worry when it takes several minutes to uninstall that update. If you want pictures, HowtoGeek has a good detailed site on the topic. http://www.howtogeek.com/218856/how-do-you-disable-the-get-windows-10-icon-shown-in-the-notification-tray/

For me, I had to get a new computer and it came on it windows 10. I do miss in some ways my windows 7 as I had that for long time. And I miss things that windows 10 doesn't have and trying to find things.

I can't upgrade to Win 10 without upgrading my QuickBooks Pro program, Intuit has told me not compatible with any copies prior to 2015 and my current version is 2014....So I'm holding onto Win 7 for now, or 'free' Win 10 would be coming with an additional $150-$200 cost for me with the programs I run daily.

Installer.

I accidently installed Windows 10 and then I could no longer connect to the internet. Set up new internet connections (which indicated successful) but still could not connect to the internet (also my printer no longer worked, and it was fine moments before Windows 10). Reverted back to Windows 7 and could now access the internet. Printer still did not work. Uninstalled and reinstalled printer (multiple tries) to no avail. I'd prefer to keep Windows 7 at least until it is no longer supported.

Cynic that originally was all it took however Microsoft has now implemented several more kb items that over rule that one item number. That's what I had done originally, blocked and hid that one kb and set my windows update to notify me only and not download or install till I choose to.

If you do some searching now you will find several more things that must be done to prevent the windows 10 files from being downloaded, they could already on some people's computers with out their knowledge. It downloads them into a hidden folder in the root of your c drive. I can provide some links for further information should anyone be interested. Microsoft actually did issue instructions for doing a registry hack to block a Windows 10 update. But I don't think the average person knows about messing with the registry.

I too have chosen to stay with Win 7 and not do the upgrade. One main reason is that I frequently use a few old software and don't want to go through the trouble finding out that they won't work after the upgrade.

Cynic & Raven, thanks for the information.

Here's some links for information.

www.windowscentral.com/how-prevent-windows-10-upgrade-files-downloading-pc

www.howtogeek.com/228551/how-to-stop-windows-7-or-8-from-downloading-windows-10-automatically/

www.infoworld.com/article/3029613/microsoft-windows/new-details-emerge-about-forced-windows-10-upgrade-and-how-to-block-it.html

For those who are wanting to revert back to the previous version if you do it before the 30 day cut off here's some instructions for doing that.

www.howtogeek.com/220723/how-to-uninstall-windows-10-and-downgrade-to-windows-7-or-8.1/

winsupersite.com/windows-10/how-revert-back-your-previous-os-after-windows-10-upgrade.

It's a very good idea to go make a backup copy of that folder containing your previous system just in case you decide after the 30 days. You have your own copy. I personally think everyone should have a clone copy backup image stored on an external hard drive or flash drive. There's lots of good free imaging programs these days.

Thanks Raven and Cynic. I had already done it Cynic's way. After Raven's explanation, I took the extra added precaution of downloading the GWX installer. I should be as protected from an unwanted Win10 upgrade as I can be. If I have to get a new computer, I would buy it with the latest Windows.

Shirley

I waited for Microsoft to make sure it was compatible with my computer. A lot of people downloaded the upgrade without waiting. I'm finding those who didn't wait are having issues. I haven't had any issues.

I have had Windows 10 on my main computer for close to a year. But I have had repeated failures trying to put it on my laptop purchased in 2009.

I kept getting reminders to download Windows 10, I'd say "later". Than last night I got a message that the download would begin in seven hours. I think I had reserved a download way back when. I had heard alot of scary stories so was worried, but decided "what the heck". Instead of putting it off I'd let it go and download. If I couldn't work with it or hated it, I'd take it to Staples and have them remove it.

Went away and came back to the timers saying it was 75% downloaded! Ok - here we go. And guess what? Like others have mentioned, I don't see much difference at all! Only the My Picture file, that appears differently but not something I can't get used to. All my other files and programs and even desktop display and icons are right where I left them.

However, when I put my camera card into the PC to download photos to my computer, things were definitely different - mainly the file folder where the imported photos go to. I'll have to fool around with it some more to figure out how to do it as smoothly as I could with Windows 7.

So far, no problems anywhere else - knock on wood. Plus I don't use my computer for business so I don't have those type of files and software to deal with.

I did the Windows 10 download last night. It took almost 2 hours and used 90% of my bytes for the coming billing. I could not get on the internet. Stayed up until 5:00AM trying. My computer knowledgeable DD came over to help me. We changed back to Windows 7 and still could not get on the net. Finally restored to an earlier date and got things back into shape. I do not know if anything is missing yet. Never again will I touch that Windows 10 icon or whatever it is called

Me either, Betty Lee....too many "bugs" with it to take the risk, but they are certainly pushing it! I am afraid I will accidentally hit the wrong key and put it on, and I am so tech challenged that I could never get it straightened out.

You better do the blocks I posted or it will be right back as soon as Windows updates again. You must take the steps to prevent it. Change windows update to just notify you but not download or install till you get all the blocks done.

"too many "bugs" with it to take the risk"

What bugs are you referring to? I wasn't aware there were any show-stoppers.

Incompatibilities and some driver issues? Yes, especially with older hardware. Bugs? I'm not so sure that's right.

I got a new hard drive and more RAM and they installed Win-10. I don't see any issues with it whatsoever. I love downloading pics from the camera, they're instant. When they download they go into a folder by the month. From there I can drag them into designated folders if I want.

I use Chrome or Opera exclusively, not IE at all. Nothing there is different.

There are choices on the left where I want to go, shortcuts, and they look like apps. Which they are, for those who have touch-screens. Photos, the printer, calendar, Kodi, solitaire etc. The most used things are the most accessible. I quite like it.

The only thing that's not good, is that AdBlockPlus is not yet compatible with Windows Edge. So if you use I.E., you will have ads. With Chrome and Opera and I'm sure, Firefox, there won't be any ads because it's ABP friendly.

I figured out the camera card to computer file, no big deal. Different, but no biggie. I haven't noticed any "bugs" either.