Windows 10 Is Getting PUSHED onto PCs Now. Here's What You Need To Know.

Mac users rejoice, this article is not for you. Well, unless you use Windows within Parallels, lol.

If you use Windows 7 or 8, you've been seeing Microsoft nag you to upgrade to 10 for months now, which fascinatingly is a FREE upgrade. However, starting this past Monday, the big M started pushing it onto PCs that are turned on but sitting idle. Happened to my wife and a friend of ours over in Tennessee. Since these PCs are our darkrooms now, here's what's really going on. AND, if anyone reads this and has new or corrective info, by all means, post it!
 

• First,  you'll want to decide if you want to go to 10 obviously. If you are on 7 or 8, my suggestion is actually to go through with it because Microsoft is going to put 10 on your PC one way or another, and at this point they will eventually make 7 unusable, I don't doubt that for a moment. They want to keep up with Apple by having an OS that runs on a PC or a tablet, and 7 ain't gonna cut it. Plus it's been out for 7 years so the hacker world knows how to take 7 over, probably in their sleep. I loved 7, but game over. Fact is, I've been on Windows 10 since beta and it's my favorite Windows version now, but good NIGHT there are things you have to know and settings to change, or Microsoft will be scouring your usage data like seagulls at the beach after a storm. You may have heard "Don't use 10, Microsoft is tracking you!". Reality statement: Don't use 10 until you go to privacy Settings and turn off the tracking. You've come to the right place, I'll list how to do that below. But I will say that 10 is the fastest Windows yet even on older machines, and they have made sure that drivers are built in for almost everything. There ARE some HP printers that HP has not written drivers for though, but we're talking printers made 7-8 years ago. ALSO, if you use any kind of a Lenovo, check on their site if your machine is compatible. I was blown away to discover that 10 crashed a Lenovo laptop that I hat gotten for my pastor a few years back, and found out on the Lenovo site that this and a few other models will NOT run 10 due to whatever chipsets were used in the machine. Lenovo is owned by IBM, I don't know whether that fact surprises me or amuses me.
• Adobe Compatibility: Adobe has tested all flavors of CC versions as well as CS6, and it all checks out. That includes the Lightroom versions that coincide. If you're on CS5 or earlier, there's no specific word from Adobe, however, I've been able to get some of my wife's Diner Dash games from 12 years ago to work by right-clicking on the game's icon (program or shortcut, both work) and choosing Properties. Then click the Compatibility tab and select XP SP3, and most old stuff runs.
• The Infamous Microsoft Nag Screen: This has changed! For months we've been seeing it nag us... for some of you, when it pops up (usually when opening Internet Explorer), it's not just a reminder anymore, it will actually now say "Your PC is scheduled for the Windows 10 Upgrade" and they actually give a date! Don't close that form. Instead, look for a very tiny link that says Cancel the Upgrade or something like that. Click it to cancel the upgrade if you don't want 10. Otherwise, your PC will get upgraded at the date and time listed, and I'm talking out of nowhere. Out TN friend was writing an email and BOOM, up popped the window and the upgrade was underway. My wife came back from takimg a shower and points to her PC and said "why does my computer look like that?". Sure enough, the new login screen was up and it said "Welcome to Windows 10". I was in the office the whole time and didn't even notice. Lame.
• If You Want To Upgrade or Microsoft DID Upgrade Your PC: OK, if you were running 8 or 8.1, the upgrade to 10 is a no brainer, mostly everything will look the same. You will just want to uncheck all of the data usage collection (getting to that) and learn what the deal is with Microsoft Edge, the new internet browser that will eventually replace Internet Explorer (also getting to that). If you are on Windows 7, a lot more changes will be noticeable. 10 does have a Start Menu but it's not like what you are used to. You either get the full screen dashboard that Windows 8 has, or you get a popup start menu that's just a small version of the full screen dashboard. It's customizable but it's still different. That's a subject for another article, lol. I pin most of what I use to the TaskBar, the thin strip of icons along the bottom. BTW, that Windows 8 and 10 "Dashboard" is simply the space for tablet apps to run, like firing up Angry Birds on an iPad. To the PC and laptop user, it became the Start menu. A really big Start menu. So for 10, Microsoft has reduced it to a smaller version, and given the option to keep it full screen if someone got used to that in 8.
• If you are now on Windows 10, what next?
  • Few things to fix or know about:
    • Shutting the PC down or restarting: Click the Start icon, select Power, and your options will pop out... Shutdown, Restart, etc.
    • Where's Internet Explorer? The only blue "E" at the bottom is now darker blue, and when you click it, Microsoft Edge pops up, Microsoft's new web browser. I like it and use it sometimes but it is VERY beta, a lot of features are missing. Also, it does not support Flash or Java (it has a special version of Flash to run webpages I think). The absence of Java makes it really tricky, but it's the late attempt to have a browser with HTML5 and no Java security issues. Translation: some of your banking and shopping sites may not work in this early version. Sometimes things work but buttons just simply don't respond, like, Add to Cart. Edge is nice because it displays more content, less scroll bars, etc, but for now i use both Edge and Internet Explorer. And Chrome sometimes.
    • Where's the Internet Explorer icon? Here's the easy trick: open any website in Edge, and then click the button at the top right that looks like an elipsis (...), and a menu will pop down. On there, click "Open in Internet Explorer". Once the page opens, just right-click the IE icon at the bottom in the task bar, it's the lighter blue "E", and select "Pin To TaskBar". Voila, the icon stays on there.
    • The new Cortana text box at the bottom on your task bar: Microsoft created Cortana, their answer to SIRI on Apple iPhones and stuff. It's like the ultimate search tool I guess. I know people that use it and love it. I personally have a lot of icons down on the task bar and don't want Google on Steroids taking up 20% of the Task Bar, so I hide it: right click on the task bar somewhere on the right where no icons are, and in the popup menu, hover over Cortana and select Hide. Done. While you're at it, there's a white icon down on the task bar that's the Windows App Store, I right-click that and choose Unpin. Don't need that showing, never use it.
    • THE INFAMOUS PRIVACY SETTINGS: To uncheck all of the Microsoft snooping, you'll need a good 5-10 minutes so you can read the entries and uncheck what's necessary (mostly everything, lol).
      • Go to Start --> Settings. When that window pops up, click on the Privacy Square.
      • On the left there is a list of areas where Privacy setting are set. You will have to go through each one and uncheck anything that says "Send data to Microsoft" or "Let apps track your location", anything like that. I do keep the SmartScreen filter turned on. Just go right down the list on the left side until you see each category and turn off tracking.
    • Default Programs: we like our beloved Windows Photo Viewer to quickly view JPEGs and RAW Files (side note, this app is color managed and respects your calibration file!), and we like Windows Media Player for a quick look or listen, right? And we still need to stick with IE (Internet Explorer) until the Edge features are brought up to date. All these apps need to be made your default again, because Microsoft has changed the default apps for music, pics and vids to all their new marketing/add-filled apps that run in the dashboard. Here's how to change your default apps:
      • Start --> Settings
      • When the window pops up, click the first choice, System.
      • In the list on the left, select Default Apps.
      • Each choice is a popup, so just click each choice and select the preferred apps:
        • Windows Photo Viewer for Pics
        • Windows Media Player for Vids and Music (or if you use something else like iTunes)
        • Internet Explorer for browser (or Chrome, FireFox, etc)
        • PDFs! Defaults to Edge! Change to Reader or whatever you use.
    • AntiVirus: I never ever ever ever ever ever use Norton or Symantic or any other performance killing commercial antiVirus, EVER. Most of my IT peers don't either. Microsoft actually has a decent partial solution, and it's already built in to Windows, it's called Windows Defender and runs full time without killing performance. Imprtant Backstory: When Vista came out, Microsoft included a TERRIBLE antiVirus called... Defender! Instead we used Microsoft Security Essentials which used to have a price, but later became free with 7, you just had to download it. So for 8 and 10, Microsoft did a WEIRD thing: the bundled Security Essentials into Windows, and renamed it Windows Defender! Don;t ask me, I just work in this industry... anyway, it's a stable builtin AV that's free. In addition I will run either Malwarebytes or SuperAntiSpyware, but I don;t leave those in RealTime Protection mode because they can conflict with Defender. Between those, I've never had a virus issue.

I could probably keep going but I have a 4:00pm meeting, lol. But this should hopefully answer some questions and help you decide what to do, and also prevent the push-down of 10 if you aren't ready. Post questions, I'll be happy to answer!

PS: Please forgive grammatical and spelling errors, I did NOT get to proofread this.

Hey Paul, I upgraded quite sometime back now and have had no issues. I use Adobe CS 5 64-bit. I also have two identical drives. Again, neither drive has issues using the Win 10. In fact, latest Win 10 updates just came through last night as I recall. I updated both drives without issues.

I agree about the Windows Defender. I used Essentials prior. As you stated, some of the others can be hogs on processing.

Although I also have Edge as a backup browser I only have used Firefox for years.

Thanks for sharing the in-depth review.

Very nice write-up, as per your usual, Paul! Thanks for taking the time.

I have upgraded my workstation and laptop from 7 to 10, and both work nicely. A couple of things I'd like to point out, though:

• The video may default to 1024x768. So, one may have to find their video card driver from the manufacturer's site, or from nVidia (or AMD) and install it.
• The upgrade may do the same with some printer drivers. That happened with my HP OfficeJet--I just installed a new copy and I was up and running. (My Epson driver was unaffected)
• Older AV or Malware applications may also be removed. This is a big deal, so be sure to check your AV is still installed and up to date after the upgrade. (Note: If your AV was removed, Win 10 will automatically activate Windows Defender)
• Older versions of backup software may not play well, or at all, with Win 10.

Privacy: As Paul says, turn off the tracking/telemetry you don't need or want. Here's an article from How-To Geek (HTG) that details all those settings. ( I turned off most of the stuff)

If you are coming from Win 7, or older, to Win 10, HGT has a large number of articles that will help you get up to speed, and, if you'[re a tweaker, plenty of cool tweaks are there, too.

--P

Thanks guys. Actually you both reminded me of another thing to mention when upgrading: reinstalling video drivers and printer drivers never hurts if things seem wonky.

Thank you so much, Paul! Very generous as always.

Great article and tips. Thank you.

I made the upgrade on an older (but still compatible) desktop and found that all the drivers (as pointed out) had been removed. I also discovered that currently Linksys does not have Windows 10 drivers for (really) any of their products, specifically routers and wireless network adapters. The tech people essentially told me to buy new ones (adapter and router), download the Windows 8 drivers and hope for the best. Seriously?!?

Will probably buy a Netgear adapter and hope that it will talk to my Linksys router (and I had just bought an upgraded one last year). I talked with Netgear and they have Windows 10 drivers.

Good Luck Everyone!

 

Good info Sharon, this is the stuff we need to know... just like Lenovo dropping the ball unexpectedly, there certainly will be pockets of annoying stuff scattered about, lol. The fight with Linksys has been a long one, they go weird at times with the decisions they make, even with the firmware in the unit itself.

The NetGear SHOULD have no problems because wireless adapters are supposed to be able to connect to the myriad of networks that we all encounter. If it doesn't connect, please place that Linksys router in the tray of a skeet-shooting pigeon launcher at a local range and yell PULL!

Sharon,

I am assuming your network adapter is an actual PCI card installed in a slot on the motherboard. PCI wireless network cards are older tech.
 
I just took a quick look at Netgear network adapters. Since PCI adapters are older tech, so you might consider a Netgear USB WiFi Adapter. Here is a Netgear AC1200 from NewEgg for about $60.00.

You might also consider contacting Netgear for help in choosing an adapter that will work best with your system.

--P

Thank you Paul, I had done many but not all of those things, this was a great help. 

Thanks, Paul.  Very timely information as my wife and I both have older PC's running Windows 7 and I just purchased a new laptop with 10 installed.  I spent part of yesterday removing stuff I didn't like and I'll probably spend a good share of tomorrow installing the stuff I want.  Your list will be a great help.

Here is a note from one of the good folks at How-To Geek...

There is a handy little tool called GWX Control Panel, which is able to deflect most of the ways MSFT tries to inject Windows 10 into people's computers:

GWX Control Panel

"This is a free tool that can remove and disable the 'Get Windows 10' notification area icon on Windows 7 and Windows 8. Recent versions can also disable 'Upgrade to Windows 10' behavior in the Windows Update control panel and do much more."

"See the user guide at the Ultimate Outsider blog. You can still download GWX Control Panel as a standalone executable if you don't like installers."

"Please see the "GWX CONTROL PANEL RELEASE NOTES" section at the user guide for MD5 and SHA-1 checksums of all official releases."

You can download the latest version (released 12/29/15) - either the installer or portable directly from the author's website via the link below:

GWX Control Panel

--P