If you’re running Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 and are receiving “Reccommended updates”, you will soon be installing KB3035583. This update will be offering you a free upgrade to Windows 10 via a small icon in the tray near the clock. The upgrade will be available as of July 29, 2015.
Should you do it? Microsoft makes it sound like it’s a no-brainer, easy, with nothing to worry about. From experience, I doubt this will be the case. Here’s some things to consider:
- Application compatibility: LOB (Line of Business) applications may be severely impacted or may not work at all after upgrading. Even simple applications like QuickBooks that run in Windows 7 may not run in Windows 10 depending on the currently installed version. Even if it runs in Windows 10, it may not be supported by the developer (e.g. Intuit).
- Hardware compatibility: A printer that works in Windows 7 may not work in Windows 10. Same with scanners. Running RAID on your Windows 7 machine? If so, doubtful it will work on Windows 10.
- Microsoft is pushing Windows 10 out as fast as possible. Surely there will be issues in the first few months. Do you have the time and patience to work through these issues?
- Windows 7 will be supported until January 14, 2020. That’s over 4.5 years away. The machine you are running Windows 7 on today will likely not last another 4.5 years. Windows 10 will not be a game changer in terms of functionality. The point: Get Windows 10 (or Windows 11) with new hardware when needed.
If it’s just a home machine and you don’t care if some things don’t work properly after the upgrade, then go for it. After all, “It’s free. It’s easy. No worries.”
