Free W10 upgrade !!

[Nick]

Plenty of free cloning s/w around.


I use Acronis TrueImage as backup s/w and its great - one work of caution - when I went to Windows 10 on the home machines, I also changed the system disks to SSDs - one of them is a Crucial MX200 500Gb drive - these can have problems with Aconis (they hang) - annoying as they are probably the most popular "upmarket" SSD.

Subsequently, I've been using Samsung SSDs with no issues at all on Windows 10.

If you can get off Windows 7 I really really would - you are just leaving yourself open to malicious attack...

[Radio Fixer]

Do you really think W10 makes a lot of difference Nick? for a careful user ... never goes on dodgy sites or opens sniffy e-mails. Computer is OFF 22 hours of the day most times.

How do we know the safety aspects aren't just hype? If its so good why are they giving it away for free? Old maxim "If its free its probably no good".

I keep everything well backed up, no Cloud for me either !! so I feel secure and its all a hassle if it doesn't work. Too many other things to do.

But thanks for the advice, one day maybe when they are selling bullet proof DVDs

Gary

[Nick]

SSDs, not DVDs...

The issue with Windows 7 is that its underlying architecture is potentially vulnerable and the attack surface is large - as Microsoft will not be supporting it for ever - mainstream support for Windows 7 ended last year and whilst "Extended Support" will go on for another 5 years (until 2020), Microsoft do not guarantee to be able to fix all security issues in products that are out of mainstream support.

So, whilst Windows XP or 7 may well still work for you, there are simply so many ways that they can be attacked that it really is worth the effort to upgrade (and it is an upgrade) to Windows 10.

BTW., its not Windows' fault that it is attacked so much - it's mainly that is by far the most dominant desktop operating system and thus simply the biggest target - there are plenty of MAJOR flaws in Linux/UNIX and IOS systems, but there are relatively fewer of those, i.e. the hackers' cheapest win is to go for Windows...

I'm not a specific advocate for any particular supplier or operating system, but its worth noting that they are all vulnerable in various ways and despite the best efforts of the suppliers, hackers will continue to use lateral thinking to broaden the attack surface.

A small amount of pain now can save you a world of grief later.

[pwdrive]

I keep getting prompted to install Windows 10, how long does the installation/upgrade take? I know zilch about computers.

Lawrence.

[tiv48]

I keep getting prompted to install Windows 10, how long does the installation/upgrade take? I know zilch about computers.

Lawrence.

It took just over 2 hours for my DELL laptop .
because i use pop /smtp email  i had to also download windows live mail.
Rob T
PS i also know nothing about computers.
Rob T

[pwdrive]

Thanks, I might give it a go next time the prompt pops up.

Lawrence.

[Nick]

Two hours is about right - mostly it's an automatic process - the thing that takes the most time is the Windows Updates that are needed after the install...

[Radio Fixer]

Thanks Nick for the clarification.

I meant buying, Yes!, buying W10 on a DVD. I only use SSDs now and bought my first when they were a £1 a GHz. Come down a lot.

Cheers Gary

[pwdrive]

Installed Windows 10 last night, took about two and a quarter hours, seems to work ok so far.

Lawrence.

[Radio Fixer]

I thought MS had done a good job of replacing W7 from my aborted move to W10 but not so.

Lost all the Backup stuff in the registry!!

Got this error message.

   

Found a program that after I created a restore point got out me out of trouble:  https://repairtasks.codeplex.com/

See this part of it.  Why don't MS pay these guys for the fix and include it.  Sickening really. But my thanks to them.

   

Gary