More Windows 10 FAQ For You
What happened to Windows 9?
Microsoft says they skipped Windows 9 to emphasize that Windows 10 is the ” perfect 10″. Most people disagree and think Microsoft skipped Windows 9 to distance Windows 10 from the sales debacle of Windows 8. And also that Microsoft used the number 10 as a symbolic end to new numbered or named versions of Windows.
You mean there won’t be any Windows 11 or Windows 12?
Microsoft says there will be revisions of Windows 10 but there won’t be a Windows 11, 12, 13, etc. We know that Microsoft’s announcements are subject to change without notice.
Will all future revisions of Windows 10 be free?
That’s a good questions. There are some who speculate Microsoft is giving away Windows 10 free to Windows 7 and 8 users (until July 2016) in order to get Windows 10 installed then charge for new revisions. There is no official word on this from Microsoft. Microsoft lovers will say no charge for revisions; Microsoft bashers will see a conspiracy to get customers money. Stay tuned on this. We will all find out in a couple of years.
Can I reserve Windows 10 even if I didn’t get a notification?
(From Microsoft) “Yes. You can reserve your upgrade at any time on any compatible PC by clicking on the Get Windows 10 app or the Windows Update control panel. This update is not required to get Windows 10, you can still get it even though you don’t get the notification. Just download it on July 29th 2015 when it becomes available. You will have one year to do so. The Reserve app is just a reminder/notification for its availability.”
Can I do a clean install using the Free upgrade?
Nope. No clean installs with this upgrade. This upgrade requires you to be running a qualifying version of Windows (Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8x). You must start the upgrade from within the qualifying version. If you want to clean install Windows 10, according to Microsoft, you’ll need to purchase a full license: Windows 10 Home is $119. Windows 10 Pro is $199.
What if I want to install Windows 10 offline?
By the Windows 10 release date – July 29, 2015 – you will be able to download an ISO file (Disk Image) and create a Windows 10 Installation DVD. But, if you’re thinking you can use this method to clean install Windows 10, you can’t – at least that’s the official word. Someone will probably find a way around this – they almost always do.
Do I have to upgrade on July 29, 2016 to get Windows 10 free?
Nope. You have one full year to upgrade to Windows 10 free of charge. Keep in mind the free upgrade applies only to Windows 7 and Windows 8 users. According to our calculations, you have until July 28, 2016 to upgrade…but you probably won’t want to wait that long.
Can I dual boot with Windows 10 and my current version of Windows?
If you need to install Windows 10 on a separate hard disk or partition, you will need to purchase a full license. Windows 10 Home is $119. Windows 10 Pro is $199.
Will I lose my programs, pictures, documents or anything else when I upgrade?
No you won’t – not according to Microsoft. We’ve been using Windows 10 for several months and everything seems to be there after upgrading. Still, you should always back up any personal files that are irreplacable. You just never know.
I had you install Windows Mail on my Windows 7 (or Widnows 8) computer. Will it work on Windows 10?
Windows Mail works on Windows 10, but after you upgrade to Windows 10 Windows Mail – we are sorry to say – will not work until it has been reinstalled.
Will all of my programs work on Windows 10?
Anything that worked on Windows 7 and/or Windows 8 will work on Windows 10, according to Microsoft. We have been using Windows 10 for several months now and we have not found anything that works on Windows 7 or Windows 8 that won’t work on Windows 10.
Will Microsoft ever bring back Windows Mail (old version) or Outlook Express?
We don’t work for Microsoft and we don’t have any insider information, but our guess is that Microsoft will never again include a full mail client like Outlook Express or Windows Mail with Windows. The mail app they include with Windows 10, looks like the same rudimentary mail app that was included in Windows 8. It might be OK for a quick read or reply on a smart phone or small tablet, but it lacks the features most desktop users want in an email program.
One caveat. We have not seen the final version of Windows 10 yet – no one has. Exactly what the mail app will be in the final version, we don’t know. But don’t expect a Windows Mail or Outlook Express type email program in the final version of Windows 10 – not that we wouldn’t love to see that happen.
Do you expect that the Outlook7 email program will still work with Windows 10 and, if so, that I won’t lose the contents of Outlook email file folders during the upgrade process?
Thanks!
Are you talking about Outlook.com ??
Outlook email client that is part of most versions of Microsoft Office. Outlook.com is not a email client, it’s a web application, like Gmail.
TC & EB, thank you for a very thorough overview & insight of the “perfect 10.” Cool! 🙂
Hi,I read on another site,that, if you want to do a ‘Clean Install’,you just do the upgrade to Windows 10,if all is cool, you then just need to do a ‘Windows System Reset’,but what your saying is that i t will return you back to Windows 8 or 8.1,Yes???
Will I lose my programs, pictures, documents or anything else when I upgrade?
No you won’t – not according to Microsoft. We’ve been using Windows 10 for several months and everything seems to be there after upgrading. Still, you should always back up any personal files that are irreplacable. You just never know.
In that case I wonder if I should not uninstall “Classic Shells” start menu before I install Windows 10 later. I have not had Classic Shell very long but I’m pleased with it at this time. It does what it supposed to for me. I would like to see what Windows 10 start menu looks like though and use it for a while. What is your opinion on that.
“Microsoft says they skipped Windows 9 to emphasize that Windows 10 is the ” perfect 10″”
Gotta admit, this is the first time that I have seen this. When I read it this morning I have to admit that I laughed until I almost fell out of the chair. From the moment that Microsoft went into business to present they haven’t even come close to a “perfect 10” and, IMO, never will. Microsoft has made many positive contributions to the IT industry but to suggest that Windows is a “perfect 10” is the same as saying that all operating systems are without flaw. Apple, Linux, Unix, BeOS, BTos, CTos, and a bunch more that most of us haven’t heard of are not perfect. They know it, we know it. There is no such critter that exists. But I’m glad that Microsoft made the claim. It’s the best laugh I’ve had in weeks. To all, have a good day, take care, and be safe.
If I change my mind, can I cancel my reservation? I changed my mind after I made the reservation.
I want to wait 6 months in before downloading Win 10.
Answer per Microsoft.
Yes, you can cancel your reservation at any time prior to installing Windows 10. Here’s how:
Right click on the Get Windows 10 App or Windows icon located in right end of the taskbar.
Select “Check your upgrade status”
Select “Cancel reservation”
I followed the directions, but there is no ‘Cancel Reservation’ listed. Now what ?
You still have to decide to install Windows 10 upgrade you can choose not to install it. I am not sure why you’re not seeing the cancel – does it appear cut off or just not there?
I made 2 earlier posts. and see that both are no longer on this site and I received no answers.
Nice going . Am I not special enough for you to accept my posts ? Hell of a way to treat people.
But then again I have to realize who runs this.
We have to approve each post – we don’t want spam on here or trolls. I’m really sorry you feel this way. We normally go through all posts every day, sometimes it may take us a little longer to check things.
I’m a bit unclear on what you are saying about Windows Mail. I use Windows Live Mail (desktop, not online) on my Win7 computer. But that won’t work when I upgrade?
Will it all still be there and just not work because of registry stuff or something? Or does the upgrade totally erase it? Basically, I’m wondering if I am going to lose all my emails when I upgrade or if they will still be there and just need to re-install the program?
Thanks!
PS – is there a difference between Windows Mail (that you talk about) and Windows Live Mail (which I have), or are you just shortening the name because gawd Microsoft does like to make really long names for things…. 🙂
Windows Live Mail and Windows Mail are different. Windows Mail was the email program that evolved from Outlook Express. Windows Live Mail is (is in my opinion) a very clumsy, poorly constructed application. Others like it; in any case Windows Mail died with Windows Vista – by scavaging dlls and other files from Vista we are able to install Windows Mail on Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10. Windows Live Mail works on all three – it’s just a matter of downloading and installing it. If you have Windows LIVE Mail installed when you upgrade to Windows 10, it will be there after the upgrade. If you have Windows Mail installed, it won’t be, but all your mail and folders will be preserved so when it is reinstalled everything that was there on Windows 7 or Windows 8 will be there on Windows 10.