Should I Upgrade to Windows 10?

Like millions of users, you likely have been prompted to "reserve your copy of Windows 10".

Windows 10

Windows 10 is coming July 29, 2015 and it will replace Windows 7 and Windows 8. 

You likely have seen the Windows 10 pop-up on your computer. Microsoft is giving everyone one year to upgrade to Windows 10 for free.

Our recommendation on if, and when, you should upgrade, depends on what you use your computer for and how comfortable you are in dealing with problems. Like any initial release of a major software version, there will be problems. Software is just too complicated to not have a bugs. Similarly, the software that runs on Windows 10 will have problems too.

Managing the expected problems is the focus of our recommendation.

Business Users

Wait. Wait as long as you can. Get the free upgrade, but wait. You want everyone else to debug Windows 10 and the software that runs on it before you deploy it to your systems.

Additionally, the longer you wait, the more likely your users will get Windows 10 at home -- which means they will do the learning outside work hours. Most work places have an IT champion, someone who is not a trained IT professional but a person who has a natural affinity for computers. The longer you wait, the more likely your champion will get Windows 10 and learn it.

Most businesses should plan to start their upgrade to Windows 10 in first quarter of 2016 with the intent of being finished in the second quarter. Like any operating system upgrade, make sure all your important applications run on the new platform. Thorough testing is important.

Home Users

Home users fall into two very general groups: power-users/tinkerers and everyone else. If you are a power-user or tinkerer, definitely take advantage of Windows 10 as soon as it comes out. You will have the skills and patience to deal with the unavoidable challenges. So far in testing, Windows 10 runs nicely on older hardware -- it seems lighter than Windows 7 or 8.

Everyone else at home should upgrade at their own pace. If you use a computer at work, consider upgrading to learn Windows 10 before you have to use it in the hectic day-to-day pace of work.

Important Note

There are some features being changed or removed with Windows 10. You should review the specifications here: Windows 10 Specifications. Businesses need to do testing with their business applications before doing a wide-spread roll-out.