Windows 10: Why Upgrade and How To Do It
By Mike Agerbo
July 28, 2015
Product Discovery
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Although I’ve branched out into Mac computers recently, Windows was my first love when it came to operating systems. Despite the fact that my office has made the move to Mac, I still use a Windows PC at home. Needless to say, I’m pretty excited that Windows 10 is almost here! Upgrades to the new Windows operating system will be available starting July 29th. So given the issues users had with Windows 8, should you upgrade once 10 launches? And more importantly, how do you do it? Here’s a short guide with everything you need to know.
Why Upgrade to Windows 10
Some users found Windows 8 to be a bit tricky to use so they might be weary about upgrading to Windows 10. If you’re one of these users, it’s important to remember that Microsoft learned a lot from Windows 8 and has worked hard to create an operating system that's more in line with what we've been used to. In fact, Windows insiders have been testing the new operating system for months and have great things to say about it.
There are a lot of new promising features to look forward to in Windows 10, but I won’t go through them all here. If you haven’t heard about what’s new and exciting in this new operating system, start your research with the Microsoft website. In addition to all the exciting new features that will come with Windows 10 there are a few other reasons to take the leap and upgrade.
For starters, the upgrade is free for those on Windows 7 and 8 systems. Especially if you’ve been struggling along with Windows 8, it’s a good idea to take advantage of the free upgrade. With support for Windows XP and Vista having been pulled back in April, it’s a very good idea to upgrade if you use one of these operating systems in order to avoid any security vulnerabilities. Finally, Microsoft has taken its time in building this new system and feedback from testers has been very positive. All in all, I think upgrading is a smart move for all Windows users.
How To Upgrade To Windows 10
Upgrading to Windows 10 should be pretty straight forward, but it’s important to start by making sure that your PC meets the requirements. You can do this by visiting the Windows 10 Specifications page or by using the “check my PC” function built into the reservation app.
Which brings me to the next step, to get access to the upgrade you’ll need to reserve it in advance. You can do this by clicking Windows icon in the right corner of your taskbar to launch the reservation app. Once you’ve reserved, you can kick back and relax until you receive a notification that your upgrade is ready.
When it’s time to upgrade, make sure you start by backing up all your important data. You can either back up using a cloud service or you can use an external hard drive. Personally, I recommend and do both.
Finally, it’s important to ensure that your antivirus software is current and up-to-date. During the installation process, Windows will uninstall and reinstall your antivirus as long as it’s up-to-date. If not, Windows will not reinstall it and will install Windows Defender instead. During this process, you might also notice that you lose a few other items that are not compatible with the new operating system. For example, any bloatware that came with your PC will likely be stripped away Windows 7 desktop gadgets and Windows Media Centre if you’re a Windows 8 Pro or Windows 8.1 Pro user.
If you're still a little nervous about upgrading to Windows 10, you can outsource it to the Staples Easytech experts. They can do a simple install for you or give you a 20-minute tutorial to help you learn everything you need to know for just $25. If you need help preparing your PC for the update, Easytech experts can help you back up and migrate your data or tune-up your slow computer. Back-up services will set you back $80 while a tune-up will cost between $69 and $169. It's money well spent to help you ensure that your data is safe and your computer is ready to run the new operating system without slowdowns. If you're planning to skip the upgrade and just purchase a new PC with Windows 10, Staples can make sure you're properly set-up and everything is configured according to your needs with their 1-2-3 Windows PC or Tablet Set-Up for $99 to $149. Basically, whatever support you need with your move to Windows 10, Staples Easytech can help. You can learn more about these services on the Easytech page.
Why Upgrade to Windows 10
Some users found Windows 8 to be a bit tricky to use so they might be weary about upgrading to Windows 10. If you’re one of these users, it’s important to remember that Microsoft learned a lot from Windows 8 and has worked hard to create an operating system that's more in line with what we've been used to. In fact, Windows insiders have been testing the new operating system for months and have great things to say about it.
There are a lot of new promising features to look forward to in Windows 10, but I won’t go through them all here. If you haven’t heard about what’s new and exciting in this new operating system, start your research with the Microsoft website. In addition to all the exciting new features that will come with Windows 10 there are a few other reasons to take the leap and upgrade.
For starters, the upgrade is free for those on Windows 7 and 8 systems. Especially if you’ve been struggling along with Windows 8, it’s a good idea to take advantage of the free upgrade. With support for Windows XP and Vista having been pulled back in April, it’s a very good idea to upgrade if you use one of these operating systems in order to avoid any security vulnerabilities. Finally, Microsoft has taken its time in building this new system and feedback from testers has been very positive. All in all, I think upgrading is a smart move for all Windows users.
How To Upgrade To Windows 10
Upgrading to Windows 10 should be pretty straight forward, but it’s important to start by making sure that your PC meets the requirements. You can do this by visiting the Windows 10 Specifications page or by using the “check my PC” function built into the reservation app.
Which brings me to the next step, to get access to the upgrade you’ll need to reserve it in advance. You can do this by clicking Windows icon in the right corner of your taskbar to launch the reservation app. Once you’ve reserved, you can kick back and relax until you receive a notification that your upgrade is ready.
When it’s time to upgrade, make sure you start by backing up all your important data. You can either back up using a cloud service or you can use an external hard drive. Personally, I recommend and do both.
Finally, it’s important to ensure that your antivirus software is current and up-to-date. During the installation process, Windows will uninstall and reinstall your antivirus as long as it’s up-to-date. If not, Windows will not reinstall it and will install Windows Defender instead. During this process, you might also notice that you lose a few other items that are not compatible with the new operating system. For example, any bloatware that came with your PC will likely be stripped away Windows 7 desktop gadgets and Windows Media Centre if you’re a Windows 8 Pro or Windows 8.1 Pro user.
If you're still a little nervous about upgrading to Windows 10, you can outsource it to the Staples Easytech experts. They can do a simple install for you or give you a 20-minute tutorial to help you learn everything you need to know for just $25. If you need help preparing your PC for the update, Easytech experts can help you back up and migrate your data or tune-up your slow computer. Back-up services will set you back $80 while a tune-up will cost between $69 and $169. It's money well spent to help you ensure that your data is safe and your computer is ready to run the new operating system without slowdowns. If you're planning to skip the upgrade and just purchase a new PC with Windows 10, Staples can make sure you're properly set-up and everything is configured according to your needs with their 1-2-3 Windows PC or Tablet Set-Up for $99 to $149. Basically, whatever support you need with your move to Windows 10, Staples Easytech can help. You can learn more about these services on the Easytech page.