Windows 10 November “Threshold 2” Update
Most Windows 10 users receive the first major update to Windows 10 on November 9, 2015. There is a lot of confusion about that the upgrade included and what changes it made to your Windows 10 computer. We’re going to cover a few of those changes (there are a lot more) and also provide you with other information to help you with the Windows 10 November Update. And for those of you who don’t have it yet, we will explain why.
Windows 10 Now Accepts Product Keys from Windows 7, 8 or 8.1
You can now use a Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 product key to activate Windows 10. Previously, those keys wouldn’t work — a Windows license was changed into one that worked with Windows 10. So if you want to do a clean install, your Windows 7, Windows 8 and 8.1 product key will work to activate Windows 10.
Cosmetic Changes & More
Now you can add a fourth column of medium-sized tiles to the Start menu. If this is somethig that sounds good to your, click Start—> Settings –> Personalization —> Start and select “Show more tiles”. The previous limit was 512 tiles, after the upgrade the limit is 2048. I wonder who would ever use that many?
The update lets you choose a default color for the Start menu, task bar, program title bars and more. Add some color to your Windows 10 by going to Settings–> Personalization –>Colors and turn on switch next to “Show color on Start, taskbar, action center and title bar”.
After the update you’ll see app suggestions in you Start menu.If you click it, you’ll end up in the Windows store were you can download the app (not all apps are free). If you don’t want apps advertising in your Start menu, you can turn it off by going to Settings –>Personalization –>Start and switching off “Occasionally show suggestions in Start”.
Microsoft Edge
Edge is lacking when compared to other browsers like Chrome, Firefox and even Internet Explorer…and it’s still lacking after the upgrade, no matter how much Microsoft would love you to believe it’s been improved. You can’t can install add-ons or extensions, and it’s still crazy difficult to change the default Search engine. Microsoft really really wants you to use Bing. There are some improvements in security and there’s a new Tab Preview which shows you a thumbnail of the website when you hover over it. Still not ready for Primetime – Chrome and Firefox are still light years ahead of Edge.
Other Improvements & Changes
Cortana has gotten some minor improvement; Skype has been improved and are now seamlessly integrated with the Messaging, Phone and Phone app. Those of you make presentations a la PowerPoint will be please to learn that Microsoft’s new presentation creator is now included with Windows 10 by default.
Several of the more popular apps have been updated. You can now install apps on other drives besides C:\ (Windows drive). You can change the default location for apps installation by going to Settings –> System –>Storage and change the location.
Some Default Apps and Privacy Settings Are Changed by the Windows 10 November Update
Quite a few people are reporting that the Windows 10 Threshold 2 update is resets some of their programs back to Microsoft defaults. For example if you had Chrome set as your default browser, the update will change your browser back to Edge (the Windows 10 default browser). Also there are reports of other settings changes being made, including resetting privacy settings to defaults. All of these are minor and can be quickly corrected. To reset your default apps including your default browser go to Settings—>System—>Default apps. To reset your privacy settings, go to Settings–>Privacy.
Windows 10 Love It or Not
If you’re not a fan of Windows 10, this update sure isn’t going to make you a fan. But with more and more minor improvements Windows 10 will get better and more polished. It’s just going to take some time. We really like Windows 10 and like some of the changes made by the November (Threshold 2) update.
There are a lot more changes that the November “Threshold 2” update brings to Windows 10. To learn about some more of them, visit this Microsoft page.
Wait! I didn’t get my Windows 10 November Update
If you didn’t get Windows 10 Threshold 2 Update, you will. If you installed Widnows 10 within the past 31 days, you won’t get it until you pass the 31 day mark. This is because for 31 days after you upgrade to Windows 10 you have the option to revert back to your previous operating system (Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 8.1) without losing anything.
Microsoft says:
“If it’s been less than 31 days since you upgraded to Windows 10, you won’t get the November update right away; this will allow you to go back to your previous version of Windows if you choose. After the 31 days have passed, your PC will automatically download the November update…”
Also, and this is odd, if you uninstall the Windows 10 November (Threshold 2) update it will not automatically re-install. You’ll have to go to the Microsoft site to get it.
If you want to learn more about the Windows 10 November “Threshold 2” Update, visit this Microsoft page.
Thank you for your daily info in keeping us informed on working with Windows 10.. Really helps all of us to navigate the upgrade..
Not sure if this post applies to Windows 10 that is NOT an update from previous Windows. My Windows 10 came with my new laptop.
Barb.
Hi TC, thank you as always for your guidance, gives me great confidence that otherwise would leave me floundering. My update has been done and working fine so far. Many thanks again, Dianne
Windows 10 came on my new laptop last month. Thanks so much for all your tips. I am using FireFox instead of Edge and want to make it my default browser. How do I add FF app to my Setting/Defaults/Browser?
Thanks! Love you guys/gals.
If Firefox is installed, it will come up on the list. Click on the start button —> Settings —System –Default apps —> and click on Web browser. Firefox will be in the list if you have it installed. Click to select it as your default.
The update changed my internet start page to MSN. I googled Cloudeight and checked make my home page, 1 min to change back.
I have tried to download Windows10 twice, and each time it failed–help
You need to contact Microsoft. We offer a Windows 10 pre-check where we look for potential problems in upgrading to Windows 10 and fix them before the upgrade so the upgrade goes more smoothly. We didn’t look at your computer prior to your upgrade – so we don’t know what happened or what the solution is – we don’t have enough information about your particular situation. I’m sorry but that’s the best answer we can give.
I am a novice on the computer and I lost my administer password for Windows 10. Is there an easy way to retrieve it?
Thanks
If you’re using a MS account (Hotmail, MSN, Live, Outlook.com) you can reset it by going to outlook.com. If you’re not using a Microsoft account there’s no easy way.
Hi TC & Darcy,
Has anyone complained about loosing the ability to print or access other computers on a network after this latest update? When I installed Windows 10 on my laptop and desktop, the first thing I checked was if I was able to print to the printer and access the desktop and all was good. Now, there is no way to print or access the other computer. I uninstalled and reinstalled the printer with no luck. And access is denied in my being able to “talk” to the other computer. The error message(s) indicate a “network” problem, but the network troubleshooter can’t find anything wrong. I’ve turned everything off – including the router – and then plugged everything back in with no luck either. Any suggestions?
Jane
Hi Jane… we’ve not seen anything like that ourselves, although TC had to reset his wireless printer after the upgrade. Best way to do it is just to remove the printer in Control Panel and reinstall it. As far as not seeing the other computers on your network, I don’t know what the problem might me I have not seen anything about the updates causing problems with networks. Did you try setting up your network again from scratch?