I become, perhaps, a bit too enthusiastic about new operating systems – sometimes to my detriment. In the past, I gleefully loaded up now-dead OS’ like BeOS just because, and I’ve developed a bit of a cavalier attitude to installing new iterations of Windows. This is how I ended up with Windows ME on my system once. It’s also how I ended up with Windows 8 installed, before that Os was patched up and worthwhile. So yes, I’m rather excited for Windows 10, which launches worldwide today.
The operating system is being released, uncharacteristically, as a free upgrade to those running legitimate copies Windows 7 or 8. Previous reports of it being offered to those running unlicensed copies Windows weren’t exactly true; while pirates will be able to update to Windows 10, their copies will remain unlicensed. Apparently.
Anyway, Windows 10 goes live today as a free update – but it’s rolling out over the next few days to users who’ve reserved their copies, and later to those who weren’t as bold or enthusiastic. Blending the best of Windows 7 with the best of Windows 8, plus a whole lot more including DirectX 12 and the digital personal assistant Cortana, there’s a lot of good reasons for a gamer to upgrade to Windows 10.
Not sure if your update is coming through, or want to fast track your update? Easy. Hit a command prompt as admin, and type in: wuauclt.exe /updatenow and the update will begin in a minute or two. Easy peasy. You may need to complete some previous updates to kickstart the process, but for us it was instantaneous.
If you’d like, you can also use the ISO tool.
In his review of Windows 10, Paul Thurrott was rather bullish.
“Windows 10 is superior to both Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, and its user experience works as well or better on the different Windows device types—traditional PC form factors for Windows 7 and “touch-first” devices like tablets and 2-in-1s for Windows 8.1—than do its predecessors. But Windows 10 also exceeds Windows 7 and 8.1 in other ways, with an evolved universal apps platform that all users (and developers) can embrace, cross-platform chops that are unparalleled on other mobile and desktop computing systems, and an adaptable, user-focused user interface that can be customized to your liking at every step of the way. And it respects the way you work, whether that’s keyboard and mouse, touch, pen/stylus, or any combination of those things.
I am ecstatic to see the Windows team finally listening to its customers, and it has delivered a wonderful gift here, especially to those who felt that Windows 8 did not meet their needs. In combining the best of Windows 7 with the best of Windows 8.1, Microsoft has turned the page on a disappointment and done right by all of us.”
Will you be updating today (like I will!) or are you going to be sensible and wait for the first service pack?
Last Updated: July 29, 2015
VampyreSquirrel
July 29, 2015 at 08:36
I’m definitely waiting, and hoping many of my clients do too.
Dutch Matrix
July 29, 2015 at 08:44
You do realize every PC sold from tomorrow onwards is going to ship with Windows 10, right? RIGHT???
VampyreSquirrel
July 29, 2015 at 08:51
Yeah… I do.
PoisonedBelial
July 29, 2015 at 08:38
Been running the preview at home and on my work PC.
I have had no issues so far, so now I’m going to slowly roll Windows 10 out to the rest of the PC’s here at work.
Good times!
Ir0nseraph
July 29, 2015 at 09:16
Been running preview for almost a month now, it has been very good and all office software works fine so I can start upgrading the office from today, but that being said some people in the office I won’t yet, maybe wait a year or 2.
Mark Vincer
July 31, 2015 at 10:11
Because some people are idiots and any change confuses them. Some people freak the flip out when I change colours in the CRM.
HairyEwok
July 29, 2015 at 08:39
I want to get this but I want to get it with a clean install. Guess it wont be as easy unless I buy a CD or flash it.
Geoffrey Tim
July 29, 2015 at 08:40
Iso tool: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
HairyEwok
July 29, 2015 at 08:40
Yes sorry I saw that now. Was hidden from my coffee deprived eyes.
e1ace
July 29, 2015 at 09:27
Be careful installing the iso without doing the standard update process on your computer. The update process convert’s your PC’s license. If you install the iso then you won’t have a license key to use,
From the FAQ: “If you upgraded to Windows 10 on this PC by taking advantage of the free upgrade offer and successfully activated Windows 10 on this PC in the past, you won’t have a Windows 10 product key, and you can skip the product key page by selecting the Skip button. Your PC will activate online automatically so long as the same edition of Windows 10 was successfully activated on this PC by using the free Windows 10 upgrade offer.”
Ragnar The Vengeful
July 29, 2015 at 10:34
Am I slow today or is this gobbledygoop?
Viking Of Science
July 29, 2015 at 08:41
my PC is basically still clean, only have steam and GOG Galaxy installed atm… might as well got to 10, but I’ll wait until after the weekend… see if any glaring bugs appear…
Pariah
July 29, 2015 at 08:49
Even though I’m fully up to date, the update icon still isn’t showing up on my Windows. So much meh.
Dutch Matrix
July 29, 2015 at 08:51
It’s trying to update your personality. You know? Give you one? 😉 How are you this morning? I am going to ruin my network admin’s day and load Windows 10 onto our domain…
Pariah
July 29, 2015 at 09:01
hahaha, good luck 😀
Dutch Matrix
July 29, 2015 at 09:02
To him or me? I am the scourge of our IT department…
Norman
July 29, 2015 at 09:32
hahaha I just changed our GP to only push selected updates hehe, No windows 10 on my network for a few months thank you.
Dutch Matrix
July 29, 2015 at 09:41
OK Sorry Boss
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 29, 2015 at 08:56
I had that too. There’s an article on how to get the icon to show up on the Windows knowledge base that also includes a link to a script you can download in case their method doesn’t work – I had to do that. Gives a couple of quick options & then a longer one that you might need to do a few times, reboot, etc in order for it to finally appear.
Pariah
July 29, 2015 at 09:01
Thanks, I’ll have a look later. 😀
justlikemo
July 29, 2015 at 08:58
It wont even pop up on my desktop, my company controls all downloads, I’m still at 7, works fine, just leave me alone
Kromas,powered by windows 10.
July 29, 2015 at 11:06
Could be that you have a Corporate licensed copy maybe. They don’t get updated.
Pariah
July 29, 2015 at 11:16
Nope. Bought it retail for my PC. Win 7 Pro
Weanerdog
July 29, 2015 at 09:00
I am going to wait because end of the month bandwidth. How big is it anyway? GB size not she said size.
Dutch Matrix
July 29, 2015 at 09:02
I think she will measure yours in bytes. Not gigabytes… From the linked article, you will need 4GB of space for the Windows update.
Weanerdog
July 29, 2015 at 11:39
You cut me man, you cut me deep.
Geoffrey Tim
July 29, 2015 at 09:29
It’s under 3gigs.
Mark Vincer
July 31, 2015 at 10:12
I was worried it would be over 9000
Gavin Mannion
July 29, 2015 at 09:05
This didn’t work for me because I hadn’t rebooted in MONTHS… so it just did nothing at all…
However a restart showed me the problem, so restart and then try this 🙂
Brady miaau
July 29, 2015 at 10:06
Yeah, I do the same with my laptop. Just close lid and move on. Gets sticky sometimes
CongoKyle
July 29, 2015 at 09:05
Instructions unclear – dick stuck in CD-ROM
Dutch Matrix
July 29, 2015 at 09:10
You are doing it wrong…
b1nd3r
July 29, 2015 at 09:40
Where did u find a cd-rom o.0
K1FF J1MB0B (sizzle edition)
July 29, 2015 at 09:07
Windows 10 can suck my big fat Linux cock 🙂
Weanerdog
July 29, 2015 at 11:46
I don’t really know if Tux likes to be called fat.
Lardus-Resident Perve
July 29, 2015 at 10:03
I am waiting for a new computer first.
Kromas,powered by windows 10.
July 29, 2015 at 11:04
I am pretty much ready for this as an MCP and insider I already have access to it. But I am waiting for the weekend and my 500gb SSD to arrive.
GalacticLordCaptainAwesomeness
July 29, 2015 at 12:47
You can also grab it from your MSDN Sub if you have one 🙂
Brady miaau
July 29, 2015 at 14:22
yeah, but will that license work for your production or home PC?
Kromas,powered by windows 10.
July 29, 2015 at 14:32
Works fine for home. Just be careful though if you are planing to upgrade. You license expires the second you change the mb/cpu at this point in time and there is no way to bypass it like previous versions of Windows.
Brady miaau
July 29, 2015 at 14:38
Previously, MSDN operating systems were licensed differently.
“You license expires the second you change the mb/cpu” What does this mean? So, on my home PC if I upgrade the CPU I must buy another windows license?
Kromas,powered by windows 10.
July 29, 2015 at 14:41
Yep. The new way it works comes from W10 not being a product anymore but rather a service. Under the new SaaS license you get screwed quite a bit. 🙂
Only time will tell though as MS has the penchant of changing their own statements often.
Brady miaau
July 29, 2015 at 15:04
If it is anything like the Visual Studio online, the service reports up, but my new VS 2015 installation will not register, for reason service is down. And you need ti registered. I am also wondering about the SAAS thing.
Kromas,powered by windows 10.
July 29, 2015 at 15:09
The gaming equivalent of SaaS would be early access. I am gonna hate the living hell out of it yet I will support it cause it is awesome (or at least has the potential to be) 🙂
Brady miaau
July 29, 2015 at 15:19
Well, yes and no.
To do business, I want a small piece from many, many people. makes sense. Must just provide something they HAVE to have OR something they THINK they HAVE to have.
Xbox Live, always on connectivity, that sort of thing. How is that not SaaS? For example, I cannot use Xbox internet services from ANY apps if not logged into Xbox Live. So when Xbox Live went down a while back, we were a bit pissed off.
Kromas,powered by windows 10.
July 29, 2015 at 15:24
I meant for me as in just like ea I hate myself for using it but yet I can’t stop. 😛
Fnuik
July 29, 2015 at 11:54
Installation done! Everything seems to be working just fine
Hammersteyn
July 29, 2015 at 11:58
http://img0.joyreactor.com/pics/post/windows-microsoft-evolution-gif-2295560.gif
GalacticLordCaptainAwesomeness
July 29, 2015 at 12:44
Well since technically there are no more service packs, it would be better to just upgrade 🙂
Michael Dunn
July 29, 2015 at 13:29
Tried command prompt as administrator and nothing happens.
Gavin Mannion
July 29, 2015 at 15:06
I had that same problem, it probably means you aren’t up to date with your patches.. open Windows Update and go through the tedious process of installing all the updates.. then restart.. do it again (there are more), restart and do it again.. then it works.
Took me 7 hours
jakar10
July 29, 2015 at 17:45
Yes, TODAY! Will also have Windows 10 on my phone as soon as it is available. Running insider version on my Dell Venue 8 where it has been working very well. Even with some quirks n rough edges to work out, I’m more than willing to accept that to jump from Windows 8.1 to 10. If running Windows 7, I agree that no compelling reason exists to upgrade unless you want to give Cortana a try or want to use virtual desktops.
TWO WINDOWS 10 MISTAKES in my opinion is the lack of touch friendly OneDrive and the new browser Edge. Edge does seem faster but SUCKS for touch users. The IE immersive full screen experience was much better, no full screen browser anymore. Edge is more like the Windows 8 Chrome, if I wanted Chrome I would have installed it, I didn’t.
Craig "Crios" Boonzaier
July 30, 2015 at 07:26
I will have to upgrade eventually, but gonna stick to win7 for now.
I just don’t like their new data usage policy, where they can mine everything you do.
https://edri.org/microsofts-new-small-print-how-your-personal-data-abused/
and finally
http://core5.staticworld.net/images/article/2015/07/windows-10-hidden-solitaire-fees-100598360-gallery.png
Uberutang
July 30, 2015 at 11:25
Updated from ISO last night. All Good! Played some Arma 3, Witcher 3 and Natural Selection 2 directly after the update. No issues.