All users running a valid copy of Windows 7 / 8.x have probably noticed the relentless “Your FREE Windows 10 upgrade is ready!” popups on the screen, in Internet Explorer, etc. No, it’s not a scam - Microsoft really wants you to move to the new platform.
The retail version of Windows 10 was released July 29, 2015, offering free Windows 10 upgrades for a whole year. It’s a pretty good deal, but you have to act by July 29, 2016 to take advantage of the offer.
Should you upgrade your office to Windows 10? Here are some questions to consider before you upgrade:
How is Windows 10 better for business?
Improved security - Microsoft has included Windows Defender (a basic antivirus program) as baseline protection for the operating system, access controls have been reworked to better protect users’ credentials from hackers, and improvements to the file system with structure changes to make it more difficult for viruses to access essential files.
Improved layout – Windows 10 offers the best of both Windows 7 and Windows 8.x. It features a tile system, similar to Windows 8.x but isolated to a relatively small area on your Start Menu – no more switching between two different interfaces! The tiles can be arranged according to personal preference and feature apps to help keep you organized and quickly find information. In most other aspects, Windows 10 looks and operates very much like the Windows 7 interface you already know.
Increased productivity, with Cortana – Every employee has a personal assistant with Microsoft’s newest addition to their toolbox, Cortana. This software can recognize natural voice commands, so no more pausing and talking slowly to ensure everything was understood. Commands such as, “What have I worked on this week?” or “Remind me to call Fred at 10 AM.” will quickly and efficiently perform the desired action.
Increased productivity, with Windows snapping – You may be familiar with the “snapping” feature in Windows 7 that allows you to quickly snap application windows to half of your screen. Microsoft took that concept a step further in Windows 10, by allowing you to also snap application windows to quadrants of your screen by dragging them to the corresponding corner. The fluidity of this features allows for quick organization of applications on your screen when multiple sources need to be referenced.
Will old equipment and software be compatible?
Most modern software from reputable developers should be compatible with Windows 10. Software compatibility issues usually occur with older software. In most cases, it pays to contact the software developer to ensure a smooth transition.
It’s also a good idea to contact hardware manufacturers to ensure compatibility before updating. From our experience, most hardware will be compatible with Windows 10, although some devices may require driver and/or firmware updates.
Should you perform the upgrade yourself?
If you’re unsure how to troubleshoot the minor issues that may occur during an operating system upgrade, then migrating an office to Windows 10 can be a frustrating task. There are many things that can potentially go wrong during a Windows 10 upgrade, requiring computer troubleshooting skills, an understanding of your network, and/or the ability to configure software / drivers. For example, if you no longer have Internet connectivity after an upgrade, you may need to install / update a network adapter driver or change your network settings.
It’s also important to note that a Windows 10 upgrade takes a considerable amount of time to install, so make sure you schedule adequate downtime for the installation, troubleshooting, and testing. While it’s rare for a Windows 10 upgrade to fail and leave you with an unusable device, it can happen – so be sure you’re prepared for it.
Not sure how to handle migrating your office?
Business computers / networks are often much more complicated than home devices, so if you’re not sure you can afford the risk of incompatibilities, lost data, or other problems, you may want to consider seeking outside help for your Windows 10 upgrades. Logical Operators offers upgrade services and takes all the necessary steps to ensure fast, clean migrations to the new platform. Contact us today to schedule your business's Windows 10 upgrades!