Sorry to bring up an old question, but I'm a bit undecided & am wondering about your experiences.
I contacted a "Software Guru", at least compared to me & asked his opinion about replacing W8.1 with W10. I was concerned whether W10 has essentially been "cleaned" of "bugs" before I install W10. I have until the end of July to install the free update.
His response:
Windows 10 Upgrade Installations, as well as any other Upgrade Installation (Vista to 7, 7 to 8.1, 7 to 10, 8.1 to 10, etc.) traditionally have problems due to the nature of how they upgrade.
Since they build off of the existing platform, problems arise simply because the Old image is attempting to use the same software to control certain hardware on the new image (using Windows 8 drivers when running Windows 10, for example).
The main question we typically slate to our clientele who are interested in Windows Upgrades, is to simply ask yourself "Am I satisfied with my current Operating System?"
My response:
So, it sounds like the free W10 would not be the same as if I bought it separately on a CD. Is this correct? I like W8.1, but wonder what benefits I would get from W10, like future compatibility with later Window versions???
His response:
That is correct, Al. Rather than an Upgrade Installation, a 'Clean Installation' via disk would be recommended (if the option is available).
If the PC natively came with Windows 8 or 8.1, it's safe to assume the hardware will be forward-compatible with Windows 10, as the new 10 operating system was designed to be reverse-compatible with Win7, and Win8 machines.
My reaction:
My W8 came with my PC & then I upgraded to W8.1. So, it sounds like minimal risk to upgrade to W10.
Have any of you had problems upgrading to the free W10 upgrade?