I would like to read your pros and cons (good, bad, ugly) of Windows 10 of those that have it.

PRO:

Windows 10’s marquee features are the return of the Start menu, a massively improved user interface, Microsoft’s personal assistant Cortana -- and the fact that it’s free. But the one feature that partners like most is security. With Windows 10, Microsoft has added advanced zero-day prevention tools such as Device Guard, password management called Windows Hello, and the ability for IT managers to encrypt corporate apps, emails and data.

Windows 10 doesn't represent a huge new revenue opportunity for partners, but rather a catalyst for growth related to cloud services. Windows 10, partners say, will have a ripple effect driving associated sales. Out of the box, Windows 10 is ready for a host of Azure services such as Azure Active Directory -- which can drive new lines of business such as virtual desktop infrastructure, selling Office 365 licenses, building out private clouds and configuring disaster recovery over a network.

CON:

While Microsoft always downplays hardware incompatibility, any OS brings system admins face to face with the ultimate question: "What copier, scanner, printer and peripheral will not work with my new OS?"

While the OS is just launching now, there already are a number of postings popping up in user groups regarding some AMD graphics cards, specific CPU models and some printers not supporting Windows 10. The same concerns apply to porting Windows 7 or Windows 8 apps to Windows 10 -- if we port it, will it work?

Microsoft caused an outcry with the way it said it will deliver Windows 10 security, software and driver updates to PCs. It said Windows 10 Home users can’t block updates and new features from being delivered. Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise users will have limited control over updates under a program called Windows Update for Business.

That control is important to businesses or they could risk an untested patch conflicting with a carefully configured Windows environment.

Under the Windows Update for Business, software updates will be delivered via distribution rings -- fast, normal or slow. Microsoft has been less than clear on how exactly companies can or cannot block updates. Microsoft last told CRN that security updates could only be delayed.

MdRafique182014 is this reply your own experience as a windows 10 user or did you simply pull this information from the net? I think Valerie and others (including myself) would prefer an honest down to earth review from an end user of this product. Just curious if that is the case here?

Good - I suppose it looks vaguely pretty in some respects. It's not Josephine Jobert, but it's not John Merrick either.
Bad - it's a thinly veiled stop gap between owning and renting your computer.
Ugly - you're going to eventually end up with a dumb terminal running from the cloud.

Summary: Will never make it out of a VM on any of my machines.

Edit to add - also, it can't run KDE. Not yet, anyway.

And please do tell about Edge ( Project Spartan ) the new browser that comes with Windows 10 . It does not support Silverlight or Active X based apps or features anymore . Is it able to be used at pages like Clixsense , offer walls etc . Or is it like it sounds like another ugly duckling even worse than Firefox 39 ?

Yes, I'd really like to have your own individual experience if you have installed the update.

They got rid of all the crappy legacy stuff - like activex and silverlight. This is a good thing, but you can't help but feel removing something that should never have existed in the first place is...well, it's not really praiseworthy. It's an attempt to control the web gone wrong. It's like praising Germany for pulling out of Poland in 1945.

Other than that, it's entirely nondescript. You won't feel as compelled to immediately change it the second you launch Windows for the first time as you did since Windows 98, but there's no obvious reason to specifically choose it either.

I did have trouble getting plugins installed. It took some wrestling to get flash working, for example - but what I should have mentioned in my previous post is that I've been using the developer preview, not the final product that was just released, so this may be to be expected.

I won't be installing Windows 10 - having read the "benefits", there is nothing that is of any use/benefit to me. I already have the "start/menu" button in Windows 8.1 - I installed a little app from Startdoc (I think that's their name) so that I had the menu options on my desktop I had been so used to in XP etc.

Upgraded my 8.1 without any problem but it took a very long time with 3G data: 3 hours to download and 2 more for the upgrading itself (I have lots of Microsoft programs, like Office and Visual Studio). No issues with drivers either, most were automatically detected since the computer is 5+ years old; AMD graphics driver from 2013 works fine; sound, camera, WiFi, touchpad are all OK. All original programs run normally, including Skype and Yahoo Messenger There's even a built-in 3D builder program for 3D printing

Speed and features are about the same as 8.1, both very stable. Worth the wait, IMO - actually I'd say it's a VERY good deal for the price (upgrade is free if you do it within a year with a legit 7 or 8/8.1 license; don't worry, it will be fully functional to the computer's lifetime - no annual subscription as rumored).

I don't use Cortana but people who do say it's pretty good if not better than Siri.

Only complaint so far is the glaring whiteness of the interface, especially in the all-important file explorer. There must be some way to soften the feel with pastel colors or grays. Also I often miss the glazed look of 7, all this trend to flatness seems cheap and regressive. If minimalism is The Thing, why evolve? Let's all go back to the ocean and become plankton

How were you all notified for the download?

valerie wrote: How were you all notified for the download?

I got it manually from Microsoft: Windows 10 Downloads

It's a small (18mb) program that downloads the files automatically, about 2.6 GB total plus some updates afterwards. I chose the "Upgrade this computer" option but there was also an option to create ISO file for offline upgrades on more than one computers; just make sure they all are already running 7, 8, or 8.1 Pro/Home with legit licenses. Once they are upgraded and connected it will be activated - it didn't even ask for serial numbers (presumably taken from the original Windows).

I'm thinking of going Linux for my next O/s

@cxywn I am still waiting on the download notification and not sure if that is automatic to the computer or if it is sent by email. That's why I ask. The download you did, sounds like what I may already have. Not sure.

Interesting Fact: Linux can run more Windows software than Windows. Once a new version of Windows comes out, nobody supports code for old versions of Windows, whereas WINE still does. Therefore, if you've got software for older versions of Windows, Linux stands a better chance of running it than Windows 10.

Microsoft offered it to me and it popped up on my laptop with the option to install but honestly I probably won't even bother with it. I have eight point one and am still trying to figure how to use parts of it.

valerie wrote: @cxywn I am still waiting on the download notification and not sure if that is automatic to the computer or if it is sent by email. That's why I ask. The download you did, sounds like what I may already have. Not sure.

I had that notification program installed but just couldn't wait so I did it manually. The notification should work automatically if Windows Update is also set that way, usually in the wee hours if the computer's still on.

BouldRake wrote: Interesting Fact: Linux can run more Windows software than Windows. Once a new version of Windows comes out, nobody supports code for old versions of Windows, whereas WINE still does. Therefore, if you've got software for older versions of Windows, Linux stands a better chance of running it than Windows 10.

Wine's a bit slow in my computer. I just use the Virtual Box to play classic games in Windows 98 or MS-DOS.

pontiac21 wrote: Microsoft offered it to me and it popped up on my laptop with the option to install but honestly I probably won't even bother with it. I have eight point one and am still trying to figure how to use parts of it.

Very few differences beyond the start menu. It's much closer to 8.1 than to 7.

One other note: I'm running the "N" version of Windows Pro (the one mandated by Europe, without Media Player). The upgrade does not automatically install the "Media Feature Pack" even if it had been installed on 8.1. The package for 10 Pro N is available at the download center.

Quote:Wine's a bit slow in my computer

Wait till CSMT makes it out of wine-staging and into stable - the performance boost is just ridiculous.

Merits:

The Start-button. - Yes, this was on *my* personal wishlist. It was infuriating when the new layout was launched. I'd missed the classy old Start button.

Simplistic yet user-friendly. - Some of the Windows 8/8.1 icons were rather trendy, but Microsoft has kept Windows 10 very simplistic with the icon design and overall layout. There are several new layout changes which look cool in my opinion!

Demerits:

So far, none. Atleast in my opinion, haven't found any. As with every OS, there'd be the issue of bugs, which will be discovered and resolved accordingly. Some gamers or certain softwares/apps may experience compatibility issues initially.

On a side-note, I had to spend a whole day to download this OS as a huge update to my official 8.1! So that means, one day wasted, unable to work on CS! Does that count as a demerit?Or just an excuse to getaway from the hustle and bustle of our busy schedule? [just kidding!]

I have windows 8.1 and was automatically notified by Microsoft. However, my tech told me to wait until they got all the bugs out. You have a year to get it free. I read somewhere the other day but don't remember where that people could possibly get into your wifi. That is a scary thought. I am going to wait like my tech told me to.

valerie wrote: @cxywn I am still waiting on the download notification and not sure if that is automatic to the computer or if it is sent by email. That's why I ask. The download you did, sounds like what I may already have. Not sure.

If you have registered before for the windows 10 you will see it when you click on the windows update optional section.