Windows 10
Microsoft has released on 29 July 2015 Windows 10. And as a nice surprise it is a free upgrade for users with a valid Windows 7 and/or Windows 8.1 computer. Most users have seen a Windows 10 icon appearing in the right bottom corner of the screen (the system tray).
Windows 10 is the next version after Windows 8, for some reasons Microsoft has decided not to call it Windows 9, so it is not that you have missed something, it was never there. According to Microsoft this will be the last operating system, there will be NO Windows 11, just improvements of Windows 10.
Microsoft gives away Windows 10?? Why??
Good question.
It will be free for all computers on which is now installed a valid Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, and you have 1 year the time to upgrade for free.
Some say that the reason it is fee is that Microsoft is hoping that they will not have to support so many different operating systems. There are still more users worldwide using Windows XP than the OSX. Even when it is over a year that Microsoft stopped supporting it.
So in the end it will be of benefit for Microsoft if users switch to Windows 10.
Others say that Microsoft is changing to different license system, similar to what they now already have on the market with Office 365, where you pay a monthly or yearly fee to be able to use the program.
Should I upgrade??
Another good question...
There is not one answer which is valid for all, it depends on many variables.
In general: all users of Windows 8.1 with a recent computer (less than 2 years old), the answer is YES.
Maybe not the first day it comes out, but after a few months, yes, probably you win in performance and stability.
Users with a Windows 7 computer which is now giving you some software problems, or lack of performance, YES, a good idea to do a fresh install with Windows10, and even better switch your hard drive out for a SSD, and upgrade your RAM memory, which will give you a nice performance boost.
Users with Windows XP, yes, assuming your computer is not too old, and has compatibility problems. Most likely a computer more than 6 years old will give you problems, but also will give you problems using Windows XP, Windows 7, or Windows 8. An option could be a light version of LINUX if you are really attached to your machine ;)
Make sure that you are not using any specific software what is not compatible with Windows10, some old bookkeeping programs or games can give you a nasty surprise.
More information and advice
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