Windows 10: should you upgrade?

Windows 10 launches on 29 July, with Microsoft offering Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users the ability to upgrade for free in the first year after its launch.

The upgrade download will be about 3GB, and will take between 20 minutes and an hour to install – depending on the device.

Those who don’t qualify for the free upgrade – people using Windows Vista or older versions of Windows – will be able to buy Windows 10 for the same price as Windows 8.

In the US, this is $119.99 for Windows 10 Home, and $199 for Windows 10 Pro. Windows 10 Pro Pack lets you upgrade from the Home edition to Pro for $99.

In South Africa, Windows is priced as follows:

• Windows 8.1: R1,540
• Windows 8.1 Pro: R2,630
• Windows 8.1 Pro Student Offer: R480

While Microsoft has answered most of the questions regarding Windows 10 in the FAQ pages on its website, there is one that users must answer themselves: Should you upgrade to Windows 10?

General concerns

If you are unsure about whether any specialised software will work on the new version of Windows, you should not upgrade until its developer has confirmed support for the OS.

Users may also want to wait until the first big patch for Windows 10 is pushed out before upgrading.

For the remaining Windows users, read below to see if you should upgrade to Windows 10.

 Windows XP no longer receives support. It’s time to upgrade.

If you are still on Windows XP (or older), that means Microsoft no longer offers support for your operating system.

While you can’t get the upgrade to Windows 10 for free, it is definitely time to upgrade.

You can either buy a new PC that ships with Windows 8.1 Pro or Windows 10, or pay for a new version of Windows.

If you’re not keen on Windows 10, you should investigate switching to a modern operating system. Free Linux distributions are available for those who do not want to pay for an OS.

Windows Vista is heading for end-of-life in two years, but does not offer free upgrade.

Mainstream support for Windows Vista ended on 10 April 2012, but Microsoft has said it will still provide security fixes for the operating system until 11 April 2017.

If you’re happy with Vista then you don’t have to upgrade, and you certainly aren’t incentivised to do so since Windows 10 won’t be free for you.

However, if you meet the minimum hardware requirements for Windows 10, it is worth considering the upgrade.

Alternatively, you could look at buying a new PC that includes a more recent edition of Windows.

Windows 7 has Windows Media Centre and still receives security updates. The free upgrade offer is compelling.

If you’re running Windows 7 and are happy with it, the choice to upgrade is not straightforward.

Mainstream support for Windows 7 ended on 13 January 2015, but Microsoft will continue to provide security updates until 14 January 2020.

One change in features to keep in mind before upgrading is that Windows Media Centre (WMC) will not be available in Windows 10.

If that’s a concern, then stick with Windows 7 until 2020 while you hunt for a WMC replacement.

Another aspect to consider is the upgrade paths from Windows 7. Windows 7 Home Premium users will only get Windows 10 Home for free.

There is an inexpensive way to go from Windows 7 Home Premium to Windows 8.1 Pro, and from there to Windows 10 Pro, but that requires users to get a Windows 8 Pro upgrade kit which used to cost between R350 and R700.

Windows 8.1 users: Upgrade to Windows 10. Don’t even think about it, just do it.

Just do it.

The only reason not to is if you bought the Windows Media Centre add-on pack and can’t live without WMC.

My advice: find an alternative for WMC and grab the upgrade.

More Windows 10 news

Windows 10 – when you can upgrade, how long it will take

Windows 10 prices revealed

Windows 10 free upgrade help at Incredible Connection

Microsoft Edge: the new web browser for Windows 10

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