Windows 10 Free Upgrade Deadline looming, July 29, 2016

What happens to those free Windows 10 upgrades after July 29, 2016?

We're nearing the end of Microsoft's unprecedented free upgrade offer for Windows 10. The offer officially expires July 29, 2016, on the one-year anniversary of the operating system's initial release. But what happens then?

Microsoft's stated goal a year ago was 1 billion devices on Windows 10 in the first few years.  I have seen estimates as high as 400 million thus far.  To reach their goal a lot depends on the free upgrade program slated to end July 29, 2016, one year after it's release.

Windows 10 is a robust stable OS with features and capabilities not found in prior OSs.  Should you upgrade?  It depends upon if you have devices or software not supported by Windows 10.  You should run/read the compatibility report to decide if you want to proceed or not.  I have an old Canon MFC printer not supported by Windows 10.  I circumvent this by attaching/sharing the device on a Windows 7 computer that allows access by my Windows 10 devices.

If you have a very old machine, and remember only legit Windows 7/8/8.1 machines qualify, you may not wish to upgrade.  However, I have users with 2006/2007 era quad core machines who upgraded and tell me their system performs better.

If you are running Windows 7 and use XP Mode to run old software that is still needed, do not upgrade.

Will Microsoft extend the deadline?  This according to ZDNet's Ed Bott;

The fine print on the Windows 10 upgrade offer, as of June 2016.

Here's the translated version of the fine print:

1. The free upgrade offer ends on July 29 and will not be extended.

2. Any upgrades completed before that date will be valid for as long as the device lasts.

3. There is a possibility that Microsoft will introduce some new upgrade offers after July 29, but don't count on it.

In fact, Microsoft's real goal with this upgrade offer isn't just to get its installed Windows 10 base to a billion. The long-term goal is to help close the books on Windows 7 in an orderly fashion before its extended support commitment ends on January 14, 2020.

To read more of Mr. Bott's Article and find out more about Windows 10, please use the links below;

http://www.zdnet.com/article/what-happens-free-windows-10-upgrades-after-july-29-2016/?ftag=TRE17cfd61&bhid=2219791

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_10

Windows 10 Upgrade Icon not appearing on Taskbar.

With the upcoming release of Windows 10 just over 2 weeks away, I am getting asked more often about whether you should upgrade or not.  Before accepting the upgrade it is imperative that you run the compatibility check to make sure that your programs and peripherals (printer, scanners and such) are supported.  Although Windows 10 is free to legitimate users of Windows 7, 8 & 8.1, there could be hidden costs associated if one does not adequately check to insure all things in their environment are compatible.

Before you install,

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/preview-faq

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/preview-faq-system-requirements-pc

http://www.askvg.com/who-will-get-free-windows-10/

http://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-reserve-your-free-copy-of-windows-10/

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/features

Windows 10 Upgrade Icon not appearing on Taskbar.

Recently a client informed me that none of their computers at work had received the Windows 10 upgrade icon on their network of domain workstations.  I thought it was due to the face that almost all of their Windows 7 and 8 workstations are shut down at 5:00 pm and Windows update was not occurring.  The client has high speed Comcast Business internet so on a recent weekend while installing a new email server I made sure all workstations were updated using Windows updates but still none of the computers received the Windows 10 upgrade icon.  Another client who does not have a Windows server but 7 workstations with the slowest internet connection of any I visit, all workstations had the Window 10 upgrade icon.  So I did some investigation as to why the icon is on some computers but not others.  Here is what I found, (see reason 9 for issue with my Domain/network client).

First of all lets tell you about some important points which might be causing the missing "Get Windows 10" app and icon in your computer:

1. Your Windows must be genuine and activated. If you are using a pirated Windows, you'll not see Windows 10 upgrade app and icon.

2. If you are using Windows 7, you must install SP1 (Service Pack 1). If you don't install SP1 in Windows 7, you'll not get the upgrade app and its icon.

3. Windows 8 users must upgrade to Windows 8.1 to be able to get the Windows 10 upgrade icon. Windows 8 users can upgrade to Windows 8.1 for free using Windows Update or Store app.

4. If your computer is not compatible with Windows 10, you'll not see upgrade icon in Taskbar. You can make sure whether your computer system is compatible with Windows 10 or not by visiting following article:

Windows 10 Release Date, Pricing Details and System Requirements

Microsoft will enable the Windows 10 upgrade icon on incompatible PCs after Windows 10 launch date i.e. July 29, 2015.

5. Since the Windows 10 upgrade app and its icon are installed via Windows update, it might be possible that your Windows is not fully updated. So open Windows Update and make sure all available updates have been installed successfully.

If you have disabled Windows updates installation using Windows Update settings, enable them so that Windows can install the required updates.

6. If you are using an older version of Internet Explorer web browser in Windows 7, you must upgrade to the latest version i.e. IE11. Once you upgrade to IE11, run Windows Update and Windows will find and install the required updates to show Windows 10 upgrade app icon.

7. If you have removed Internet Explorer using "Control Panel -> Programs and Features -> Turn Windows features on or off" option, you'll have to re-enable it. Once you re-enable Internet Explorer, run Windows Update and Windows will find and install the required updates to show Windows 10 upgrade app icon.

8. If you are using Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise, Windows RT or Windows RT 8.1 editions in your devices, you'll not see Windows 10 upgrade icon as these Windows editions are not supported by free Windows 10 upgrade offer.

9. If your computer is a part of a domain or network, you'll not see the Windows 10 upgrade icon.

If you need to do some testing in the next couple of weeks please follow the link below to download an ISO of the Windows 10 OS.  You can burn the ISO image to a DVD and install on a test computer.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/preview-iso