Introduction to Windows 10

Windsor Senior Computer Users GroupOctober 12, 2015

Should you upgrade?

Availability

• Windows 10 will be available as a free upgrade (until July 2016) for anyone with a valid of Copy of Windows 7 SP 1 or Windows 8.1 • All updates must be installed before you can install it.• It can be uninstalled and return you to your previous

operating system for 30 days after installation• Updates will install automatically. Timed restarts.• Not compatible with Windows RT

What’s New?

• Start Menu• Edge Browser - default instead of IE• Cortana, both typing and voice – uses Bing for search• Virtual Desktops • Action Center• Continuum • Settings

The Start Menu• Has elements of both Windows 7 and 8

Edge Browser

• Edge is the Default Browser unless changed• Faster and more secure than IE• More closely adheres to Web standards• Has a reading function to save a page to read later• Allows you to mark up a web page with text, drawing or

highlighting• Uses Bing as its search engine – can be changed with

difficulty

Cortana

• Cortana is now the search tool from within Windows 10• It will search both your computer and the

internet using Bing.• You can either type in the box or use a

microphone if you have one. A dedicated microphone works better than the one built into a laptop.

Virtual Desktops• Virtual desktops give you the ability to have multiple

screens which you can switch between to see different programs

Action Center

• The Action Center is a means for Windows to provide you information about your system. It is located in the notification bar.

Continuum

• Continuum is designed to simplify the transition from keyboard and mouse systems to touch screen tablet mode on convertible devices.

Settings

• Settings is replacing Control Panel

New Features

• Windows Hello (facial, iris or fingerprint recognition) facial recognition will require a special camera currently only available in a few computers • Maps are downloadable for offline viewing• Print to PDF• Universal Apps (Office Mobile)• Improved Apps• Windows key + Prt Scr to capture screenshots

What’s Different

• App Windows are resizable, drag to side or corner to get ½ or ¼ screen, top for full screen• Solitaire is back• Mail, Calendar and Photo apps are improved• The old calculator has been replaced by an app• IE is still there for compatibility but is no longer the

default browser• Windows Store has been cleaned up and improved• One Drive no longer stores thumbnails on your drive

What’s Missing

• Media Center (previously part of Windows Ultimate)• No DVD player (install VLC or another player)• Win 8 Start screen• Charms

How to Get and Install it

• Do a system backup first and print a copy of Belarc Advisor.• Download the Bits - it will be free for the first year• Run the Install to upgrade your 7 or 8.1 There is a good

article on installing Windows 10 @ http://www.pcworld.com/article/2953843/windows/how-to-install-windows-10-on-your-pc.html • It will test your system for compatibility • You don’t need a Windows account to install it.• You can uninstall it for up to a month after you install it,

reverting to your previous operating system

Do a system image backup

• Windows 7Control Panel/Backup• Windows 8

Go to File History

• Be sure to make the startup Disk when you make the backup if you don’t have a Windows installation disk. (Trust me, you don’t)

Run Belarc Advisor

• Download Belarc Advisor from www.Belarc.com• Print a copy of the results• This will give you complete information about your

system if you need to reference it, including your Windows key

Get the software and install

• You should be able to download and install the software from the Get Windows 10 icon in your notification bar.• As part of the upgrade your system will be tested for

compatibility. Any problems will be reported and you can act accordingly.• When you upgrade to Windows 10 you will get the same

version as your current Windows i.e. Home to Home or Pro to Pro. You can’t upgrade from Home to Pro at this time. Once installed you can upgrade by paying the appropriate fee.• Because this is an upgrade all of your programs and data

will still be there. However make a backup anyway.

• While doing the install you will be prompted to create a Windows account. This is not necessary and will partially preserve your privacy but it will also limit some functionality.

Uninstalling Windows 10

• You can uninstall Windows 10 from the settings menu. Go to update and security and then recovery. You will see restore Windows 7 (or 8). Choose it and it will revert back

• Once you are sure that you want to stay with Windows 10 you can run disk cleanup to remove all of the old Windows which is stored on your computer. This will free up considerable space on your hard drive. After 30 days Windows will remove the files automatically.

• If you are past 30 days or something else has gone wrong you will need to restore from the backup you made.• When you have completed your install you can

download an .iso file to create a DVD with the Windows 10 installation files in case you need to do a reinstall at some point. If you do need to do a reinstall from scratch you will need your Windows product key. This will be on the Belarc report you saved from before your upgrade. If you skipped that step you will need to buy a copy of Windows 10.