Is this spec enough to run W10

Thanks guys - will do an image first then

pewe said:

How do you think this spec laptop will perform with Windows 10 - or would it be better to stick with W7.

Attachment 37999

Thanks

Let's confirm your PC meets the minimum hardware requirements to Install Windows 8 or 10...

CPU: At least 1GHz, yours is 2.30GHz, so YES.
RAM: At least 1GB, yours is 2GB, so YES.
CPU & m/b with NX & PAE support, your CPU is Pentium Dual Core, so YES
Graphics card with WDDM drivers, I can see from the screenshot you have Aero enabled, so YES.

So go for it! Backup your data, just in case something goes wrong, and go for the inplace upgrade. This means that you start Setup (32-bit version) from Windows 7 and select to upgrade. This will keep all your data and programs and you won't need to reinstall. I recommend disabling the antivirus though in case it blocks something and screws the process.

Things missing in Windows 10 and how to get them back:

1) If you want Windows 7 like Start menu, then try Classic Shell. You can even download the SevenG skin and make the Start button identical to Windows 7.

2) Legacy Microsoft Games (Solitaire etc) are not available in Windows 8 and 10. Yes, there are modern versions in Windows Store, but if you like the same old ones as in Windows 7, then keep a copy of the folder "Microsoft Games" in Program Files before you upgrade. After the upgrade you can copy the folder back in Program Files and then patch it to make it work in Windows 8 or 10. Google it for details, I'm sure there must be a relevant article in eightforums.

3) Windows Gadgets are not available in Windows 8 and 10. Yes, there are alternatives in Windows Store, but if you like the same old ones as in Windows 7, then download and install latest 8gadgetpack After installation you can even double click and install any third party gadgets you have from Windows 7.

4) Windows Media Center is an optional paid upgrade in Windows 8 while officially is not supported in Windows 10. Search this forum for installing and enabling it in Windows 10.

5) The new default Windows 10 theme indicates the active Window with only a very thin outline in the chosen color. If this happens to be black, then you can hardy tell which Window is active and which is inactive. You can download and install the Aerolite theme (search this forum) which gives back the full color in the active window as in Windows 8.

So you can see that with some tweaks you can have it all. The old familiar Windows 7 interface, legacy games, gadgets etc, plus the new Windows 10 apps. I wouldn't wait any longer, I would upgrade now!

I hope that helps.

Almost forgot! Don't worry about drivers, if you cannot find Windows 10 32-bit, use Windows 8 32-bit or Windows 7 32-bit. In worst case (very old device) use Windows Vista 32-bit if available. Some (network cards etc) even work with Windows XP drivers, but I wouldn't bet on that. I recommend to find and download all drivers in advance before upgrading.


I recently tried to install Windows 10 32-bit in an old laptop. I borrowed a RAM module from another laptop to make RAM just over 1GB, everything was OK. Not too fast (laptop was from Vista era) but acceptable. I then removed the RAM and left it with the original 512MB. Windows 10 loads but everything is too slow, RAM usage is constantly over 85%. So yes, it works with less specs than the recommended minimum, but you better have at least 1GB RAM and 1GHz CPU.

Also a warning for old computers or notebooks: Windows 8 and 10 do not support Windows XP graphics drivers (XPDM). Make sure there are WDDM drivers (at least Vista) available, or you will be stuck with Windows Basic Display Adapter and this is VERY slow. If anyone has an old graphics card without WDDM driver, he better stick with Windows 7 and install latest Windows XP graphics drivers. He won't have Aero, but there will at least be some 3D acceleration, way better!

pewe said:

How do you think this spec laptop will perform with Windows 10 - or would it be better to stick with W7.

Thanks

Mine is about the same as that, runs fine.

i was running it on an acer 0ne netbook, with adam cpu and 2gig of ram and it ran better than or just as good as win 7 starter ,and the microsoft default video drivers we good enough for what i was using it for ,KODI media player

If you want to install Windows 8 or 10 in a netbook with only 1280x600 resolution, there is a hack to enable 1280x800 in Intel drivers so you can use the Metro Interface (in case you want it, who does). I don't remember exactly but you can Google it. The 1280x800 resolution is actually 1280x600 squeezed vertically, so the display is a little blur. In Windows 10 you can load Metro apps in a window, so I would first try that and hack only if I wanted the full Metro Interface.