Windows 10: Wait

A number of our users have already tested running our software under Windows 10, and the results are all encouraging and we don't anticipate any problems.

Nonetheless, especially if you depend on your PC in running a business, it is too early to update.

If you will be eligible for the free Windows 10 upgrade, then at some point before it is too late (and if Microsoft gets the message that forced automatic updates are not acceptable) you will no doubt want to upgrade.   

But as with all new operating systems (and there is no exception to this rule for business users), you should wait for the first service pack to be released before simply forging ahead.

Minor updates/releases can be problematic enough. Seemingly simple updates can cause significant problems.  We've written about recent examples including Win 8 updates that do not fully complete (this app cannot be run on your PC in May of 2015) and updates that caused font degradation (Microsoft automatic security update 3013455 released in February of 2015 ).

Apple iOS updates over the past several years have had more than their share of problems showing that Apple users should justifiably have the same fear of even minor updates as Microsoft users have been conditioned to have.  In fact iOS 8.4 has for some of us has been a disastrous update (we have an occasionally used iPad that the iOS 8.4 update has rendered useless, even after a full reset).

Yet the fear of not getting the latest, untested security update has been pounded into the minds of computer users.

Jumping to Windows 10 however is an even bigger leap of "forced update" faith.  Users need to be able to control when/whether they want to receive those updates.   And, regardless of that issue, unless you want to be a part of the Windows 10 testing community and because there are always unknown problems that follow new releases, wait for the first service pack at the very least.

Some recent resources on this topic:

Windows 10 review: Hold off if you use Windows 7 (InfoWorld, July 29, 2015)
Windows 10 Forced Updates Causing Endless Crash Loops (Forbes, Aug. 8, 2015)
Windows 10 Problems: Wait to Upgrade for Now (GottaBe Mobile, Aug. 10, 2015)


An additional side note of interest relates to Microsoft's currently planned support cycles for Windows 7 and Windows 8:  Windows lifecyle fact sheet.

While Windows 7 "mainstream" support ended in January of 2015, "extended" support (security updates) are still expected to be provided until January of 2020.

And if you do decide to put Windows 10 on an older computer, keep your expectations low.  The upgrade may very well install and work up to a point (and that is perhaps the surprise), but your PC may also become marginally useful.

Can your old PC run Windows 10? The answer will surprise you. Here's how Windows 10 feels on very old hardware. (PCWorld, July 30, 2015)

Win 10 will not be a cure for an older, poor performing PC.