Windows 10 has been with us for some time now and most PC users have formed opinions regarding the current offering from Microsoft. Responses have been negative and positive, with the majority being negative. My own opinion hasn’t been always favourable which I should qualify, as it is based more so on clients troubles with the operating system. Allow me to explain further – approximately 90% of my current work load is related to Windows 10 “issues”. These issues are not always related to Windows 10 directly, but, are related to familiarity of another new operating system, its upgrading process, setup procedure, account setup, navigation, etc.
Gone are the days when Windows XP would have a stroke or massive hiccup and a reboot would often solve it. This can at times resolve issues with Win 10 though is not so much a cure-all anymore. The old F8 trouble shooting key option is still available in Windows 10, but, certainly not as easy to access.
If you are interested in reading details of issues I encounter and some possible resolutions, read on or skip to the last paragraph: Microsoft’s later and current operating systems gives you a little shove in the direction of logging into your brand new out of the box laptop or desktop PC, using a Microsoft Account. The small print on the screen does allow you to skip this although the MS account setup is what stares back at you as a much larger & appearing to be default option, so is usually taken. Problems arise later when details are forgotten or confusion results as clients forget what email address was used and the associated password or PIN. In time past, Windows updates pre Win 10 were generally rather small and didn’t have a whole lot of issues. These days, Win 10 updates are much larger in size and can be 3GB– 4GB in size. This size is equivalent to a whole Windows edition and in fact is, because Windows 10 Updates includes a new edition of itself. We had one of these updates (which are called feature updates) late 2017 and can expect another around April 2018. Issues arise when users are on a “metered connection”. More specifically, a metered connection is a monthly limit for internet activity using wireless. I got a call from a client who wasn’t impressed thinking I had used the 3 GBs monthly limit of data during the repair 1 or 2 days earlier. Moving on, some of these wireless subscriptions turn off when data usage is reached or drop to a snail’s pace and may never finish. Then things can go badly, especially if internet connection drops out. I know of instances where the feature update has taken 14 hours or 24 hours. Limitless accounts via ADSL or NBN are mostly cheaper than Wireless, but not everyone has those options. There are settings within Windows 10 that allow you to update other user’s systems and vice versa. These settings do of course add to your data allowance but can be adjusted. We all encounter change and need to adjust, but, I do sympathise with those who have used Windows 7 or XP for many years and are suddenly confronted with 10 – it is different. A lot of older PCs or laptops that went through the free upgrade to Win 10 period, may not function so well and this is not always due to the upgrade – it can be what carried through with the upgrade. Generally speaking, if Windows 10 ran on the older hardware, a fresh install of Windows 10 will resolve issues as this will remove what was carried through, be it malware or corrupt settings already within the operating system.
Those of you who are waiting for Windows 11, don’t hold your breath. In times past we moved on from XP > Vista > 8 > 8.1 and arrived at 10. Now its 10vx > 10vxx > 10vxxx. Extended support for Windows 7 will end in 2020. Mainstream support for it has already ended, so, those of you who wish to remain with Windows, should give 10 the benefit of the doubt and get through any anguish and bear in mind that it is improving along the way. I am impressed setting up the latest instalment of Windows 10. The inbuilt Cortana (Jen Taylor – voice actress from Halo games) starts talking to me and wants to guide me from the get go. I also find it quite enjoyable turning off all the data collection and feedback options during setup. The “Search” box from the Task Bar is rather useful. Internet Explorer is still within Windows 10 but not visible from Desktop, but, a quick search within the search box, will find it for you. Microsoft’s Edge it appears, is the replacement browser for Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer will not be updated from version 11. Of course we all have options for Firefox & Chrome, etc. Whatever browser you prefer to use, you always have the option to “Google it” should you need to seek assistance with 10. Chances are that someone has already asked the same question you have and found an answer that you will have access to.
If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to post.
Jeff Cuttriss
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Update: Microsoft have now decided to issue Windows 10 updates by way of Incremental updates, which will eliminate those large ones previously mentioned and therefore reduce issues associated. Good news!