Upgrading to Windows 10 – the Fundamentals

Windows 10 is here and if you want to upgrade there are some basic fundamentals to make sure you are aware of before you begin.

1) Make sure your personal files are backed up

Windows-10-Something-Went-WrongWhile the upgrade to Windows 10 has been designed to be a seamless change, you cannot get away from the fact that it is a change and there is always a risk when doing something like this. Unknown factors, such as a failing hard drive, could result in a complete loss of all your personal files if the upgrade process does not finish correctly.

2) Be virus free

We have already seen one laptop that had completed the upgrade to Windows 10, but would not fully start nor allow it to be shutdown. The reason for the problem was viruses and Adware (of which there was quite a lot) clogging up the laptop.

Windows-10-Lets-ContinueMake sure your anti-virus software is up to date, has run recently, and that any Adware (which is the annoying stuff that pops up and wants money from you for rubbish pieces of software) has been removed.

3) Get all Windows Updates installed

The Windows 10 upgrade will not install without all the latest Windows Updates being installed. This may include some ‘Important’ updates, not just the ‘Critical’ ones.

4) Be patient

Windows-10-upgradingWhen your Windows 10 upgrade does begin, there is no telling how long it will take to go through. We have seen it done in 30 minutes and in 3 hours and there seems to be no rhyme or reason as to what makes it this quick or this long.

5) Check everything works

Once you are through the update, check that you can access the internet, you have sound, your printer works, you can send an email and all the other basic things you could do before.

If things aren’t working it may well have something to do with Drivers, which will just need to be re-installed.

Software that doesn’t work could be a simple corruption, overcome by re-installing the software, but it could be more complex and it could even be that it will never work again! This latter aspect is, sadly, one of the risks of moving to a newer operating system.

Undoubtedly you will have an issue along the way, but the key is to remain calm and be safe in the knowledge you have a full backup of all your data regardless of the outcome.

If you are one of those who would like Windows 10, but having just read this have considered that you just don’t need the hassle, then this is where IT Know Howe can help by completing the upgrade process for you. We will:

– make sure your personal files, pictures, music, etc, are all backed up before we start

– ensure that your computer or laptop is virus and adware free

– install all required Windows updates

– update any required drivers following the upgrade

– check all your key software is working

Give us a call to book your computer or laptop in.