Update Windows 8 to 10

[cyprusishome]

Friend recently bought a new laptop but did not realize that it is loaded with the rubbish Windows 8.

Has anyone had experience or can offer advice to up date to Windows 10.

[tomsteel]

Update on line. I did so without any issues.

[Johnny Lee]

I also have a laptop with windows 8, I have had this for around 3 years purchased new in the UK with it already on. I am now being constantly asked up to date to 10.

I am totally useless with Computers etc. Can some one please advise , if I upgrade to Windows 10 , what happens to existing programmes that are on there. ? Are they affected. ?

[Dalartokat]

I changed over last Sunday and it's something I totally regret doing, but I'm useless at computers anyway, so when things "pop up" telling me what needs doing etc, I can't do it. So changing over for me has meant I'm told 4 new drivers needed???????? no sound, I guess this is one of the drivers. I have a Lenovo laptop and now the scrolling pad won't work so it makes it hard work scrolling around. I looked up for any other comments and found that this is quite common changing over to Windows 10. Someone even suggested to download from Windows 8 to recitify this problem. I just don't like the layout, but once I get used to it probably will be ok, but I havn't found it easy.

One thing also is that replying back to threads by the "post reply" on here it times out very quickly and now have to save draft beforehand as I used to just press back button and would find the message I had written and could send again, now this won't work.

[foodie]

It definitely sounds a good business venture for someone to go to peoples houses and help them update etc. It could be on an hourly rate or daily however long it takes. I for one would pay someone to sort out my computer. As I am constantly being told to upgrade 10 now but I am afraid in case it mucks up my computer.

[Groucho]

So changing over for me has meant I'm told 4 new drivers needed???????? no sound, I guess this is one of the drivers. I have a Lenovo laptop and now the scrolling pad won't work so it makes it hard work scrolling around.

Lookup your 'Lenovo {your particular model number} Windows 10 drivers' and see what comes up.... new drivers are quite commonly needed when upgrading Operating systems - often because the computer manufacturer took advantage of an undocumented Windows feature that they should not have done.. Microsoft warned manufacturers not to use these unsupported short-cuts but they knew better....

Drivers for all components that make them work with Windows 10 should be available...

Some times you simply need to delete the component in control panel devices and reset the PC to make it rediscover the plug-n-play item concerned.

[Grockle]

Dalartokat, I updated my laptop from 8 to 10 and had a number of problems, so I re-installed 8. If you find 'Updates' in your search bar, it will probably give you the option of going back to 8. There is a deadline though, so don't hang around

Johnny Lee and foodie, just click on the 'Upgrade' window that regularly pops up and follow the instructions. It's not difficult and you won't lose any personal data. It will probably either upgrade perfectly and you'll be happy, or you will have a few glitches and you won't be. As I said above, you can just revert back to 8. Bear in mind though that the upgrade might take a few hours

[Groucho]

The trouble with going back to 8 is that it is running out of support and if you don't take advantage of the free upgrade (whilst it is still free) you will end up with a computer running an out-of-date OS and have no recourse to remedy without paying for a full charged OS. Better to sort out the issues... if they are drivers it's not that hard...

You can get to the Device Manager by typing in just that in the search windows box by the 'Start button' bottom left of your screen. Right click on the device and the option to update driver will come up....

Sounds like a new mouse pad driver, sound card driver are needed amongst others...

[Johnny Lee]

Thank you for advice, I also have a Lenovo , But I think I will try to stick with 8 better the Devil you know. But I must second Foodies comment, I think someone with some computer know how could make a very reasonable living doing a mobile service. Charging a reasonable rate and spending a little time with people helping and advising also. Even if only on a part time basis.

[mikelapta]

İ have XP which will not be supported soon.Laconic quoted 60tl to update

[Groucho]

İ have XP which will not be supported soon.Laconic quoted 60tl to update

That will be to update to a non-kosher copy of Windows.... Then you will probably be bombarded with messages informing you that you are running with a non-genuine windows version....

[sophie]

Oh dear Lord, I keep putting off moving over to 10 from 7, and all of the above terrifies the life out of me. We have 4 PC/Laptops/Kindle and I did think of moving half over and leaving the other half until I got used to 10, but I don't know if that is the way to go. As to my Kindle fire HD, I don't know which that will follow. Will it stay with 7 or will it change to 10. I just use whatever came with the equipment when I bought it from Amazon a year ago.

[Hilltop]

No need to worry about your Kindles, they do not use any version of Windows, but operate on Amazons own sort of Android. You will be told when/if they needs updating.

Moving you PCs to 10 is very easy and reversible if you don't like it (in the first month). Go to YouTube and check videos on how to do it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtpxV9nSx2w

[Dalartokat]

Oh dear Lord, I keep putting off moving over to 10 from 7, and all of the above terrifies the life out of me. We have 4 PC/Laptops/Kindle and I did think of moving half over and leaving the other half until I got used to 10, but I don't know if that is the way to go. As to my Kindle fire HD, I don't know which that will follow. Will it stay with 7 or will it change to 10. I just use whatever came with the equipment when I bought it from Amazon a year ago.

Sophie, My Laptop is Windows 7 and although there are things going wrong, no doubt will work it all out in the end, I just regret not being more prepared and would have asked someone maybe to do it for me. I wasn't expecting all that has gone wrong, even down to my printer not working. Wasn't an issue just had to reset again as with passwords etc. Whether you will get the same, who knows, but the message came up as "4 out of date drivers" and I downloaded Driver Reviver and it then came up that I would have to pay to get 3 and get 1 free I didn't have a clue after that

Thanks to everyone for the advice and will have a look to see what is going on, my fault for not taking more interest. So long as I get the forums I look at and emails and documents, that's all I need.

[Keithcaley]

Well, I've still got Windows 7, and I think that they'll have to bury me with it!

[paul90]

I was on Windows 7 for more than five years - it is an excellent operating system.
I upgraded my PC and my ASUS laptop to Windows 10 - and also put Windows 10 on my Apple MacBook (alongside El Capitan).
Personally I think 10 is better than 7.

Remember that people with genuine Windows 7 or 8 can only upgrade free of charge until July 2016.
It would be wise to do this to ensure you have the most modern system in the future since Microsoft will stop support for 7 and 8 at some time in the future.

Upgrading, using Windows Update (in Settings) is not really that difficult (remember that you must be connected to the internet) - and, if your computer automatically has been downloading updates over the last years then you should either be on 10 already or the PC should be ready to download and install it.
You will not loose personal settings if you check the correct box during installation.

As for drivers, the PC should search the web automatically and update drivers - or you can do it manually in Device Manager.

I don't think there should be any unusual problem re a Lenovo.

I am willing to help install it for you (no charge) if you wish.

[jofra]

I have two laptops, both originally WinXP, both upgraded to Win 7, both then (using new cloned hard drives) "upgraded" to Win 10. One is an Acer32 bit and the other a Dell 64 bit - both are fitted with nVidia graphics, and this factor caused the "normal" upgrade process to halt, stating that it could not proceed due to problems (lack of driver) with the graphics chip. I subsequently "upgraded" by downloading Win10 installation files, and after installation, finding/downloading and installing Win 7 drivers for the nVidia graphics chips - and Win 10 works perfectly - I even have a Win 98 version of MSMoney and MS Office 2000 working on both.
I am still normally using Win 7, but find Win 10 almost as good - BUT - if you install it, block automatic updates, check your personal and privacy settings frequently and rigorously - every update, Microsoft will attempt to replace programs and settings of your choice with their choices - if you can obtain it, Computeractive magazine explains and advises what you need to do to maintain control and privacy in Win 10.

[Groucho]

Well, I've still got Windows 7, and I think that they'll have to bury me with it!

Luddite!

[Keithcaley]

Well, I've still got Windows 7, and I think that they'll have to bury me with it!

Luddite!

Well, it's funny that you should say that, because I do keep getting this strong urge to take a hammer to it!

[SpongeDiver]

I've stuck with Windows 7, too, Keith. It does all I want, so if non problematical, why 'fix' it by installing Windows 10?

[Groucho]

If you do stick with Windows 7/8 ad infinitum then you might need to switch off driver updates for your video and sound cards etc... as an update only compatible with Windows 10+ might see them failing in the future.

I disagree with the advice to disable W10 automatic updates - this feature is the only sure-fire way of making sure your PC remains in a supported configuration for the majority of non-expert Windows users... I would only advise this for serious developers.... who know how to sift through the update features and select the vital ones. Automatic updates to the operating system will not subvert your favoured application use.

But if you are using Wi-Fi do have regard to the vulnerabilities of Wi-Fi Sense and consider disabling it.....

"To change your settings, go to Network settings then Manage Wi-Fi settings (Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Manage Wi-Fi Settings).
There, you can choose which contacts you share Wi-Fi settings with.
You can toggle the setting to discover friends' Wi-Fi networks, or opt not to.
If you want none of it, you can uncheck every box."

[jofra]

....I disagree with the advice to disable W10 automatic updates ....
..... Automatic updates to the operating system will not subvert your favoured application use......"

Removal of programs/applications have been reported, and I personally have had two programs/applications removed by an "authorised update" - one browser and one antispyware product, which necessitated reinstallation.
AMD Catalyst has also been named as one removed by Win 10 updates.