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Yesterday on my "loading strap" I have acquired a wee icon of a sort of window which invites me to "Get Windows 10". No surprise that this is Greek to me.
I have Windows 7 Professional, honestly, Professional (laff ?? ) and know nothing about Windows 8 and 9 never mind 10. Anyone know what it is and why I have it ??

Stay on 7 for the time being.
It's just the next edition of windows.

Win7 will be supported until 2020

I'd been wondering what to do, too

A few weeks ago, Microsoft launched the latest version of Windows 10, something they call the ‘Consumer Preview’.


Editors Pic It’s not yet finished (and it won’t be for another few months), so you won’t want to install it yourself just yet, but it’s given us a welcome look at how the next version of Windows is shaping up.

We’ve also heard some equally-welcome news about its pricing. It’s going to be free. Sort of.


As you might have read in the February issue of PC Knowledge for Seniors, we already suspected this might be the case after a careless comment from the president of Microsoft’s Indonesia office (who was probably sent to bed without his tea). He said Windows 10 would be a free upgrade for Windows 8.1 users, but the truth is actually even better.

In fact, Windows 10 will be free for anyone using either Windows 8.1 or Windows 7. When it’s finally finished and released – probably around September or October – you’ll be able to visit Microsoft’s website, download it and install it without paying a penny.

The one catch is that you’ll only have a year to do it. That’s plenty of time to decide whether or not you want it, of course, but if you wait too long, you’ll have to pay for it.

For Windows 8.1 users, I think the decision will be an easy one: I have no doubt at all that Windows 10 will be a great improvement, partly because it has to be, and partly because Windows 8.1 does leave a lot of room for improvement. Will it be as good as Windows 7? Again, it really has to be, but we’ll have to wait to find out.

What if you’re still using Windows Vista or XP? Sadly, you’d have to pay, but that’s probably no surprise, and it’s quite likely to be irrelevant anyway. Since your PC must be rather elderly by now, you’ll probably be buying a new computer rather than a copy of Windows 10 itself, and – looking on the bright side – you’ll find a far greater choice and much lower prices than ever before.

So, how is Windows 10 shaping up? Well, much really depends on what you’re hoping for. If you’re hoping for a return to something more like Windows 7 (and Vista and XP), you might be disappointed. Windows 10 does edge a little in that direction, bringing back the Start menu and allowing those full-screen apps to run in ordinary-looking, sensibly-sized windows on the desktop, so it certainly won’t look as alien to you as Windows 8 might have.

Nevertheless, it still has a lot in common with Windows 8.1. That’s because it’s still two operating systems glued together – one for desktop and notebook computers and another for mobile devices (tablets and smartphones). The aim for Windows 10 is to hide the glue, which was all-too-visible in Windows 8.1, and make these two systems feel like just one. So far, that aim does seem to be coming together nicely. Windows 10 might just turn out to be the best operating system we’ve never bought!

There's no #9.
You have a year to decide to upgrade for free to Windows 10. After that you'll have to pay for it.

I'm just looking to go to the other side and get the brand new macbook. But they aren't in stock for 3-5 weeks aargh.

I am truly overwhelmed by the info you have all so very kindly bestowed upon one.
All the knowledge/information/confusion for which I asked has led me to wish fervently that I hadn't.

Where do I get PC Knowledge for Seniors ?? Is there an edition in English ??

P.S.: I regard the epithet "senior" as a compliment .

JooMoo wrote: I'm just looking to go to the other side and get the brand new macbook. But they aren't in stock for 3-5 weeks aargh.

I've had Macs for years so if there's anything you need to know just ask.

I use a Mac Mini at work and I'm currently on a Macbook Air at home.

For Placido
http://www.pcforseniors.co.uk/

Gaaawwwd, it's TRUE !!!!!! Cap'n, I thought you were joking .

I'm in me prime - 'ang on, I must dash outside and tell somebody ....... Back in a fortnight.

Yesterday evening I immersed myself into the new world of PCs that is Windows 10. Not intentionally as all I thought I was going to do was schedule a time when I might dip my toe in but the system took my idle interest as a request to get started and I rather unwittingly ended up with the whole caboodle. It took a little over an hour to download and I am now probing my way around the new layout trying to get to the point where I was as comfortable with Windows 7. I'm not sure my Laptop has all the bells and whistles that are needed to get the full benefit of all the gimmicks but I don't care about that. We are told that Windows 10 will be with us forever and just be updated as and when it is considered necessary so when this Laptop expires it's replacement will be running what I have now and I'll be used to it.