Don’t rush installing Windows 10

By Chris Lord|2nd July 2015

How cautious should I be when installing my Windows 10 ?

Today I have mostly been installing Windows 10 Technical Preview on my laptop. Well, first impressions are really good. A simple installation, the ‘Start Menu’ is back, and a new speedy internet browser (Microsoft Edge) and that’s just for starters.

Now I know lots of you have been getting a message in your systray (short for ‘System Tray’ in the bottom right hand corner of your screen near the clock) notifying you that Windows 10 will be released on July 29^th and that you can pre-register.

And then on July 29^th you can all download your very own 3GB (3 gigabyte) copy of Windows 10 and upgrade it yourself. Microsoft are making it very easy to upgrade your copy of Windows 7 or 8. But hang on a minute!

Stop and think before downloading Windows 10

Before you download that large 3GB file and slow down your business’ internet for the day, what else must you consider with your computer? Ask yourself these 12 questions:

1. Will I need to re-install my applications and have I got the media / download and product key?
2. Will my applications work properly and will they be supported by the software vendor?
3. Is mycurrent anti-virus product compatible, an important consideration?
4. Will my online banking work with the new Microsoft Edge internet browser?
5. Does Windows 10 have all the hardware drivers for your machine? Webcam, Microphone, Display
6. Will my printers still work?
7. How long will my machine be out of action for whilst the upgrade takes place? 1 hour? All day?
8. Is it up to spec? Have I enough RAM, disk space?
9. Will this upgrade affect anyone else other than me on my network
10. Will my remote access work after the upgrade?
11. Do I know all of my “remembered” usernames and passwords?
12. And finally, am I happy that I can find everything in Windows 10 to carry out my daily tasks?

We believe Windows 10 will be a great product and will offer some real-world benefits to end users. That said, if you’re using your machine for business use, please consult with a qualified and experienced hardware engineer before performing any upgrade.

Image/source credit: Freeimages , Canva and Microsoft

Don’t rush installing Windows 10

How cautious should I be when installing my Windows 10 ?

Stop and think before downloading Windows 10

DCS 40^th Anniversary Easter Competition Terms & Conditions

· As the competition runs up to the 14th of April the prize will be sent out asap, however, the winner will most likely receive the prize after the Easter weekend.

· The Promotors competitions with entry via Twitter and/or LinkedIn are open only to residents of Great Britain (excluding Northern Ireland). One (1) winner will be chosen at random from all entrants and across all platforms.

· No purchase is necessary. Winners will not be required to pay to enter the competition.

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· Employees of The Promoter are not eligible to enter.

· Twitter or LinkedIn are not in any way affiliated or involved in the competition.

· Only one entry per social platform per person will be accepted.

· The Prize will be awarded to a randomly selected winner who has entered on Twitter or LinkedIn, using a random number generator. The Promoter will not be held liable if the named prize becomes unavailable or cannot be fulfilled.

· The Promoter will not be held liable for any failure of receipt of entries. The Promoter takes no responsibility for any entries which are lost, delayed, illegible, corrupted, damaged, incomplete or otherwise invalid.

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· Prizes are non-negotiable, non-transferable and non-refundable. No cash alternative is available. Where a Prize becomes unavailable for any reason, the promoter reserves the right to substitute that prize for a prize of equal or higher value.

· The name, address, email address and phone number of the winner must be provided to The Promoter if requested and will be shared to enable the fulfilment of the Prize.

· In the event of unforeseen circumstances beyond The Promoter’s reasonable control, the promoter reserves the right to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the competition or these terms and conditions, either in whole or in part, with or without notice.

· The Promoter’s decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into.

· The winner’s name and social media username may be posted on the social media profiles of The Promotor after the winner has been selected.