Why Windows 10. How Microsoft will benefit from free user upgrades to the new OS

Microsoft recently revealed that more than 75 million PCs worldwide are currently running Windows 10, a good number for a new operating system that will be a part of our lives for years to come.

In Windows 10, a lot of good things, the return of the Start menu, Cortana, Action Center, new Settings, and many new features and changes. However, with the good, there is always the bad. Today we will look at fourteen reasons that negatively affect the upgrade to a new operating system.

Here are some of the reasons why you should stay on the current version of the operating system.

1. Problems in the update process.

While the software giant has managed to fix many of the issues that cause the update process to fail, many users have reported being unable to upgrade to Windows 10 due to a variety of reasons. Some people have compatibility issues with hardware and software, there are situations where operating system unable to complete the update process. One of the most common issues was the activation issue for Windows 10.

2. This is not a finished product.

Microsoft is changing the way Windows is updated, the company is currently offering "Windows as a Service". Technically, Windows will never be considered complete, which means that the operating system will still be under development. As a result, we are likely to see bugs regularly. Also, since we're at the origin, you shouldn't be surprised by missing features and inconsistencies.

The start menu raises questions as to why part of the menu just shows us empty space. Live tiles are not always live and refuse to change the accent color automatically, causing the Start menu to suddenly lose its color scheme.

Sometimes hovering over an app in the taskbar will show a blank preview even though the app is running.

Windows apps suddenly disappear or freeze more frequently than in Windows 8.1.

Regular problems with the applications "Mail", "People" force you to view correspondence through the web interface.

However, the good thing about the new update model is that the company will release new patches, fixes and features as soon as they are ready.

3. The user interface is still under development.

While the new operating system offers an updated user interface, it is not finished, it cannot be called complete. For example, there is a big inconsistency in context menus. Click right click mouse on the desktop, start menu, taskbar, Mail app and Microsoft Edge, just compare a few of them, you will see the context menu in different styles.

Note: Microsoft thanks feedback, loud and clear, stated that it will be able to improve the context menu in Windows 10 in future system updates.

In addition, Windows OS applications also show user interface fragmentation, they offer different menu styles. In the Maps application, you will have a menu on the left side of the screen, Microsoft Edge on the right, and in other applications such as weather, movies and TV, news ...

Not only are the settings menus inconsistent between apps, but you'll also find different styles when you tap the hamburger menu. Some apps will show the menu on the top, others on the right.

While these small issues shouldn't slow down performance, along with other inconsistencies, they could very well affect the user experience.

4. Automatic update.

In the new operating system, Microsoft also introduced new way updates. Users must install every update that the company releases. Seemingly, automatic updates this is good because it guarantees that all users (Advanced and not so) will always have the most current version Windows 10 with the latest patches and security updates.

However, there is a downside, new updates even after being fully tested can cause a serious headache for the end user. For example, there may be problems with graphics drivers, or the new patch has not been fully tested on some configurations. Problems can arise at any time, and unless you're an advanced user, it's likely to be very difficult to resolve the issue by trying to revert to the Last Known Good Configuration.

5. Two places for setting parameters.

Windows 10 includes a new Settings app that lets you change and customize many aspects of the operating system. This is a feature that should eventually replace the control panel.

The new control panel is easy way manage settings in Windows 10, but the feature is not complete. You still need to go to old panel controls to configure certain operating system settings.

For example, you can change the desktop background through the settings app, but you will need to use the control panel when you need to change theme settings.

You can change mouse settings through the settings app, but you must go to the control panel to change the mouse pointer.

you can customize WiFi connection in the app settings, but you still need to go to the Control Panel to manage your network adapter settings.

As you can see at this stage, Windows 10 shows a far from consistent experience for tweaking various settings.

6. Absence Windows Media Center and DVD playback.

Microsoft is trying to build an operating system that is ready for the future. Therefore, she decides what will be superfluous in her. This applies to Windows Media Center and DVD features.

So if you upgrade to Windows 10, you won't find Windows Media Center and the ability to play discs is no longer available.

However, Windows removal Media Center shouldn't surprise us. The company hasn't updated WMC in years, though the feature still has a lot of fans.

The removal of DVD playback was driven by Microsoft because we are consuming more online content than ever before. Also, adding codecs for DVD playback adds licensing costs. The company currently offers Windows DVD Player in the store, but you probably don't want to spend $14.99 on something that you can get for free when using other apps like VLC .

7. Problems with built-in Windows applications.

In the new operating system, Microsoft seems to add everything as an application. Now, we have a calculator, an alarm clock, a calendar, a camera, Cortana, mail, maps and other applications. However, if you don't like these apps, you can't uninstall them.

Another example is if you're on Windows 10 but you're a PlayStation 4 user. The Xbox app on Windows 10 is completely useless for you, and like many other apps, you can't delete them.

In addition, some of the applications are half-finished and lack a number of features. The OneNote app doesn't give you any options to set up spell checking. You can see misspelled words, but the app won't offer any alternatives to edit.

The Mail app is moving in the right direction, but it lacks many of the features available in the Windows 8.1 Mail app. For example, there are no notifications when sending or syncing Email and etc.

In addition, other applications such as "People" with very limited functionality and incomplete in my opinion user interface.

8. Cortana does not work in some countries.

Cortana is one of the biggest features you can find in Windows 10, it's very useful tool, you can quickly find files online, locally, or on OneDrive. Additional, the functionality is huge.

However, Cortana is only available in China, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, and the US.

Perhaps this is not a big deal for many users. One of the many things I loved about Windows 8.1 was the ability to restart or shut down the PC within seconds. Even on a new computer, it may take several minutes to restart or shut down.

Obviously this is a problem and Microsoft will have to deal with it.

10. Devices with low storage capacity are still limited.

Microsoft brings operating Windows system 10 single for devices such as your phone, tablet, laptop, desktop computer, and even IoT devices. This is a great achievement, which also allows developers to create applications once on millions of devices with little effort. However, on this moment, there is one important missing feature, the ability for devices with low storage capacity to install applications on a memory card or other removable media.

The developers have already added an entry to the settings app to allow users to use external drive to install new applications, but the function is not yet working. Thus, if you plan to upgrade a device with a small amount of storage, you should wait with it.

11. OneDrive selective sync issue.

In Windows 8, manufacturer software started OneDrive integration in the operating system, which also included the concept of placeholders. This is a feature that allows users to view OneDrive files locally on the computer, but without fully downloading the file. The placeholder includes metadata and thumbnails, if you need to open the file you just double-click it.

The big advantage of this method is the ability to have hundreds of gigabytes of files in the cloud without using your local storage. However, this raised questions, many people did not know what files were available in offline. As a result, Microsoft has introduced selective sync, which allows users to choose which files are available locally on Windows 10.

However, the new sync functionality is not very efficient for users with large quantity gigabyte in OneDrive.

Microsoft should have added both options, or come up with a different approach.

12. Microsoft Edge not ready to replace your default web browser (yet).

Microsoft Edge new web browser default for Windows 10, it replaces Internet Explorer, and can compete with Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. But the browser is still at a very early stage.

It is noticeable that the user interface is not quite complete, the current version does not include support for gestures. There are no extensions, but the company promised, but they will be in the next update. In addition, many users have reported that the browser crashes quite often. The browser becomes slower on sites with a lot of information.

13. The continuum is not functional enough.

The continuum is new feature 2-in-1 in Windows 10 that allows users to use a keyboard and mouse or touch controls on the same device while maintaining productivity levels.

The start menu in tablet mode has a lot of empty space on the sides. You can't access the desktop, no explorer, no easy access to files.

14. Privacy issues.

Since the operating system launched on July 29, there has been a lot of controversy that Microsoft is collecting information to improve services and functionality in Windows 10. If you are going to install Windows 10 on your computer, you will need to give your consent to Microsoft to collect information about you. your devices, the apps you use, search queries, and even data such as your speech.

So, if you don't feel comfortable and don't want to provide company information, Windows 10 is probably not for you. However, keep in mind that Windows 10 provides several ways to control your privacy to protect your privacy.

Did you have problems with games after updating the "dozens" to the Creators Update? Namely, games in Windows 10 lag and the frame rate per second (FPS) decreases? What to do in this case?

What kind of gaming issues can occur after the Windows 10 Creators Update?

According to Steam, since April 2017, more than 50% of gamers have been using Windows 10. So it's no surprise that Microsoft is trying to customize the operating system as much as possible for games, as evidenced by the new features in the Creators Update, in particular the introduction of "game mode". But it turns out that not everything is so rosy - since the release of the Creators Update for Windows 10, a lot of discussions have appeared on foreign forums in which gamers describe the problems that arose after installing the update.

Just type into Google a phrase like "Creators Update stuttering in games" and you'll immediately find tons of entries, comments, and posts where users are trying to figure out why games lag.

There are several. Primarily, the game is on with a lower frame rate per second, and also constantly freezes for several seconds, slows down and lags.

Especially the frieze is felt during a quick turn of the camera. Every gamer knows that this is incredibly annoying, because even reaching the "magic" 60 FPS the game will not run smoothly - every few seconds there will be micro braking.

Also, in some cases, vertical sync (Vsync) may not work correctly when so-called double-buffer sync (rather than triple-buffer) is forcibly activated. What happens is that if the FPS drops below 60, then the frame rate immediately drops and locks up at 30. If the game finds that it can reach the full 60 FPS again, it will restore the full frame rate per second. And so again and again, depending on which direction you point the camera.

So, let's try to figure out why the programs are lagging and how to solve the problem before Microsoft releases the corresponding update? by the most simple solution is to disable all add-ons related to games that Microsoft introduced with the Creators Update.

Turn off DVR mode in the Xbox app

The DVR mode in the Xbox app allows you to, among other things, record the game and take screenshots. But it is also known for causing vertical sync issues. The solution is to disable this mode (it's on by default, even if you're not using the Xbox app).

How to do it? Open the start menu and run xbox app. In the side menu on the left side, click on the gear icon to enter the settings. Then go to the Game DVR tab.

Turn off Game Mode in Windows 10 Creators Update

The game mode, in theory, should cause an increase in computer performance. Unfortunately, in some games, everything happens the other way around, they began to lag after activating the game mode, micro-freezes appeared and a slight decrease in the FPS frequency. If some old games lag you need to disable this mode. To do this, open the Start menu and go to Settings. Go to the Games section and then select the Game Mode tab.

Uncheck the "Use game mode" box. Now the mode is inactive and will not cause a conflict.

Turn off full screen optimization

Windows 10 Creators Update introduced a new full-screen optimization feature. This feature is enabled for all applications and programs that run in full screen mode. It can be disabled if the programs used lag.

To do this, go to the folder with installed game, and then right-click on its launcher *.exe file. From the dropdown context menu select "Properties".

The settings window for the selected file will open. Go to the Compatibility tab and check the "Disable full screen optimizations" checkbox. Disable this item for all games with problems.

Update AMD / NVIDIA video card drivers

After updating the system and video card drivers, the old values ​​​​in the settings of the NVIDIA Control Panel or Radeon Software Crimson Edition. To solve this problem, you need to completely remove the drivers on your computer or laptop, and then reinstall them (preferably the latest version).

How to completely remove drivers in Windows 10? To do this, we recommend using the DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) program. After uninstalling, you need to download the latest drivers online from the official website of the manufacturer and install them.

Uninstall Windows 10 Creators Update

If 30 days have not passed since the installation of the Creators Update, you can uninstall it and return the system to a previous state.

Of course, this is not the best solution, because sooner or later Microsoft will force you to install this update. But until then, you can postpone its installation, counting on the fact that the problem will be solved by then.

Not so long ago, the world saw a new version of Windows 10, advertised by the creators as the latest super-powerful machine that will forever save users from hanging computer and turn working with it into an incredibly pleasant process.

However, very soon, millions of users around the world began to talk about the many holes and shortcomings that they found in the system. Programmers who have familiarized themselves with the work of the "dozens" from and to, advised to throw out of their heads even the very idea of ​​upgrading to Windows 10, otherwise the user will certainly feel the whole hell of Bill Gates' new brainchild.

So, why is the tenth Windows so bad that even those who are far from programming and just want to use their PC without any problems are not advised to install it?

The answer is simple - users claim that after Windows installation 10 problems will not keep you waiting long and will definitely appear. One can doubt this, but after such examples as, for example, which he did not set, it is already worth considering whether such a rebellious OS is needed. However, these are just flowers.

Windows 10 monitors its users

Much worse than the new Windows is that it completely covers the user with a spy cap. For example, as soon as you start typing, it is immediately registered in the registry, and then every 30 minutes it is sent to Microsoft. And this is not only for Yandex.Direct to offer you to buy cheaper.

Also, every half an hour, Microsoft learns about your location, and this does not turn off.

Download a new movie from the tracker and Microsoft will know about it. Moreover, when writing the title of any movie, music, and even a book, the system will start scanning your media files. To search for illegal videos, or maybe for something else.

Is this not enough? Well, after turning on the webcam for the first time, Microsoft will certainly take a picture of your face and send it to a common database for all users. As well as your voice, which will always be recorded - whether you uninstalled Cortana or not.

Oh yes: the password for your Wi-Fi is now not only yours.

By the way, at Windows installation 10 note that there is now no clause on non-disclosure of your data - they will talk about you.

And finally: hiding your IP with Windows 10 is unrealistic, it is sewn into the DLL, and not only a fifteen-year-old lurker can figure you out.

Dancing with a tambourine: back to the future

If you don’t give a damn about surveillance or simply have nothing to hide, Windows 10 still has a lot of surprises prepared for you that will easily spoil your mood. So, many users noted that their office equipment, gaming mice and even just sound cards didn't work on the new one.

Some customers reported a problem with the encoding, as well as the inability to work in Total Commander- constant errors made programs crash completely.

Simply put, Windows 10 is an absolutely raw, according to experts, operating system, which is pointless to install - unless you just want to have fun or find a few more new holes. By the way, hackers have already found a huge number of them - they say whether this is true or not, but with their help, personal data transmitted to MS can also be stolen by unauthorized persons. However, as before - but now it is much easier to do it.

Now for the software you didn't buy. There are a lot of users who use "pirated" programs. Especially in Russia. And now, if the “ten” finds them on your computer, they will stop working - in one moment. Just one fine moment will not start, no matter what you try. The same goes for games, even those hacked by advanced users - bypassing the system is now much more difficult. However, smart people already offer an alternative, and you know, a very good one - it's called Linux. Haven't tried?

When developing new version operating system, Microsoft has shown unprecedented openness by giving testers wide access to pre-builds. Based on their feedback, new features are added and bugs are fixed, so it's only natural to expect that Windows 10 will be able to live up to our expectations. Here is just a small list of innovations that await us in the final release:

• return of the start menu;
• appearance voice assistant Cortana;
• completely, which replaced IE;
• a single user interface and applications for all devices (desktops, tablets, smartphones);
• a new distribution model that offers a free upgrade for users of previous versions.

At the moment, these and many other innovations suggest that the final version of Windows 10 may well repeat the success of Windows 7 and become the new favorite of users.

What are the system requirements for installing Windows 10?

On the official Microsoft page it says that if your computer meets the requirements for Windows 8.1, then this is enough to install the new version of the system. However, if this information is not enough for you, then here is a more detailed list of the necessary parameters for your computer:

• Processor: at least 1 GHz.
• RAM: 1 GB (for a 32-bit system) or 2 GB (for a 64-bit system).
• Free hard disk space: 16 GB.
• Video adapter: graphics device Microsoft DirectX 9 with WDDM driver.

In addition, you will definitely need Account Microsoft and internet access.

Is my PC eligible for Windows 10?

For all users who are completely unaware of what all these numbers in the list mean system requirements, or are afraid of any unexpected surprises when updating the system, Microsoft has prepared a special tool called Get Windows 10. It will automatically appear on all computers that are suitable for installing a new version of the operating system. Necessary condition for this is the presence of a network connection and the active status of the automatic updates service.

This application is for creating backups your data, contains additional information about Windows 10 and checks that your device is compatible with Windows 10. In addition, the system will be checked for common compatibility issues with the applications you have installed, peripheral devices or computer components.

What else do I need to know before I start using Windows 10?

You can upgrade to the latest version of Windows in several different ways.

If you are currently running Windows 7 SP1 or 8.1, then you will receive Windows 10 as free update through Windows Update. In doing so, you need to know the following:

1. The upgrade must be completed within the first 12 months of the final release of Windows 10.
2. Owners of licensed versions will be able to upgrade the system to Windows 10 for free and continue to receive its full updates for the entire life cycle.
3. The position of the company regarding the owners of unlicensed copies of Windows changes all the time. According to the latest data, they will still be able to get a ten, but it will display a permanent warning about the inadmissibility of using stolen software. However, closer to the release date of the final version, this information can still be clarified.
4. Windows XP and Vista users will be able to install Windows 10 only if specifications their devices comply minimum requirements. Then it will be produced clean install system rather than upgrading from a previous version.
5. The Windows 10 operating system will be released in several different flavors: Windows 10 Home, Mobile, Pro, Enterprise, Mobile Enterprise, Education. You can read more about the differences between the two on the company blog.

These are all currently available information regarding the installation and updating of the Windows 10 operating system. Judging by the fact that Microsoft plans to make this release the last in windows history and in the future, just constantly support it with the help of the update system, sooner or later most users will still have to switch to Windows 10.

What do you think about the release of the new version? Are you going to upgrade or will you still use your favorite Windows 7 or, sorry, even XP?

I decided to do it in several stages, because if everyone started downloading at the same time, it would become a serious problem for the company's servers.

At the same Windows time 10 is intended to be a transitional product for Microsoft in changing the earnings model. If earlier the company from Redmond earned on the sale of physical copies of its products, then in the future the main source of income should be the sale of services. That is why the Windows 10 update system will consist of small data packages that will add new features to the system. Current operating systems from Microsoft receive global updates in the form of service packs.

At the same time, the company plans to support Windows 10 until 2025.

Support itself will be divided into two stages. Until 2020, Windows 10 will receive new features, and after that the company plans to send out only "patches" aimed at improving the security of the system. All these Microsoft updates will try to distribute to the maximum possible number of devices.

In total, the company hopes that at some point Windows 10 will be installed on more than one and a half billion computers, tablets and smartphones around the world. And it is precisely the rejection of the upgrade fee, according to Microsoft, that will make the system so massive. Thanks to this, the company will be able to distribute the new OS as widely as possible and “attach” users to their products.

They are already working on a similar model, but their business is largely limited to mobile operating systems. At the same Microsoft time has already tested the mechanism of selling subscription services on its Office products. In addition to the usual boxed licenses, the company also sells an annual subscription to Office 365. When a new version is released, the user will only need to download it, and the subscription will be carried over from the previous version.

Microsoft will have to earn in three key areas: providing access to cloud storage Azure technology, enterprise licenses, and office suites.

These strategy changes come against the backdrop of falling PC sales, and for this reason, Microsoft does not expect to make a long-term profit from sales of licenses for "boxed" versions of the system, because they will fall after computer sales. For the same reason, the company organized the integration of all its products on single system: Windows 10 will get both PCs and tablets, smartphones, microcomputers, HoloLens augmented reality glasses, and even the Xbox One game console.

As a result, the operating system ceases to be an independent product, and is only integral part devices.

And in this case, a separate sale of the system no longer looks logical. For the same reason, Microsoft decided to independently enter the market mobile devices with the Surface and Lumia lines.

At the same time, it cannot be argued that Microsoft is completely abandoning the Windows sales model. Indeed, in addition to the free update, the company will also offer traditional "boxed" licenses for those who still have old version Windows (only owners of Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1 will receive the update), or those who want to install the system on a new PC.

However, as Microsoft Vice President Terry Myerson said, Windows 10 will be latest version Windows, for which you will need to pay.

Thus, starting with the next version of the system, the company is going to abandon the earnings on the OS and focus on making a profit from other products that Windows will push to use.