Don’t believe most of the Windows 10 reviews out there. Many seem to come from writers who have swallowed whole the Microsoft hype. One ‘technology expert’ on the TV could only mention one downside to Windows 10 – the game ‘Hearts’ is missing. Oh please!
There’s some nice stuff in Windows 10 like virtual desktops and the much better Windows apps (which now run in windows, not just full screen).
Windows 10 isn’t ready for any discerning customers. Even by Microsoft’s own admission, there are more features and fixes that will be rolled out over the coming months. What’s been released on 29 July 2015 is the beta version of Windows that Microsoft could get by the ‘locked in’ date. The date decided the release, not the quality of the software.
We have a mix of Windows 10 and Windows 8.1 computers. Unlike with some earlier versions of Windows, there’s nothing compelling in Windows 10. The incomplete Windows 10 that’s out now makes us prefer the Windows 8.1 machines for daily use.
Patience, Grasshopper
Just like a new version of Microsoft Office, we strongly suggest you don’t install Windows 10 … not yet anyway.
There’s no need to hurry getting Windows 10. You have until July 2016 to make the switch.
Microsoft is pushing out fixes and updates regularly so any prudent user will wait and let others be the guinea pigs.
The switch to Windows 10 takes time. Best to wait for a suitable time for you, for example when upgrading the computer or before doing an install of major new software.
If you do get Windows 10, jump to the Store and get the free Office Mobile apps.
Start Menu
The changed Start Menu in Win10 is getting much praise but we’re not sure why. Sure, it’s not the full screen Windows 8 Start Menu which Microsoft persisted with through beta testing and release, despite all contrary voices. Redmond doesn’t deserve praise for eventually fixing a bad mistake they made and forced on customers for many years.
Most savvy Windows 8 users dumped the full Start Menu and got a third-party add-on to restore a decent menu to the bottom left corner. Windows 8.1 for Microsoft Office users has a whole chapter on removing and changing the default interface, including the Start Menu.
The Windows 10 still has too many frills (mostly to promote other Microsoft products). The Live Tiles aren’t much use to Microsoft Office or Outlook users since there are, amazingly, still no Live Tiles available (don’t the Windows and Office teams ever talk to each other?).
The Win10 Start Menu might be better than the Win8.1 version … but many people will prefer to install an alternative.
OneDrive
Windows 10 has only partial OneDrive support at the moment. Features that are in Windows 8.1 (like placeholder files) have been dropped from Windows 10. On Windows 10, synchronization with OneDrive is spotty and inconsistent.
Yes, we’re talking about Microsoft OneDrive – their much promoted cloud storage service. It’s an integral part of Microsoft Office, especially for Office 365 subscribers.
Yet OneDrive is not fully supported by the new Windows from ‘Day One’. There’s vague promises that OneDrive will get better later in the year but nothing more.
Even if you don’t have other reasons, this failure by Microsoft is good reason to delay installing Windows 10.
A ‘must have’ upgrade
Windows 10 is being called a ‘must have’ upgrade and that’s true, but not in the way commentators mean.
It’s Microsoft that ‘must have’ Windows 10 on as many computers as possible. This ‘free’ Windows is Microsoft’s base for selling apps, services and future Windows upgrades.
