Ditto that. Anything NOT essential to the OS, I consider to be bloatware. We should have had the option to install those from the Store. After all, if we uninstall an App, we retain the ownership rights to re-install from the Store. Why couldn't they just give us a list of Apps we own and let us install them from the Store at Our discretion ? The All Apps list is just cluttered with unwanted or un-needed Apps
I just upgraded a brand new Windows 8 desktop today (yes, 8, it's been in an unopened box for 3 yrs). After activating, I copied the Windows ISO from my ext drive to the desktop, mounted and ran w/o DVD or USB. Fully installed in 30 minutes.
Only complication was customer wanted a different Local User name (no MS acct) than I assigned and I found out how hard it is to change it. But, at least, there was little to copy over to a new account profile. Thanks, Brink, for the 7 tutorial on doing this, as many sites have it just plain wrong on how to do this on 10 Home and it's not a uncommon thing, given the install dialogues -
User Profile Folder - Change User Account Folder Name - Windows 7 Help Forums
The free upgrade offer countdown:
[ug][/ug]
You still have a few days time to decide. You can test Windows 10 without installing it, fast and easy with a free 90 day trial Windows 10 pre-installed on a virtual hard disk which you can mount on your system for native VHD boot. Do it, test Windows 10, delete the downloaded VHD file if not happy and your PC has not the slightest trace you ever tested Windows 10.
Tutorials on our sister forums:Tweet
— Twitter API (@user) View on Twitter
New video: Windows 10 - Test & Try with No Risk, No Installation needed (for Win8 users)
Video is meant to show Windows 8 / 8.1 users how to test Windows 10 risk free on their real physical hardware, without any virtualization or need to install Windows 10, using a pre-installed 90 day trial version of Windows 10 on a virtual hard disk in dual / native boot.
Very simple procedure, totally free for 90 days, lets you test & try Windows 10 in dual native VHD boot before upgrading. Time needed for the whole process (not counting download & ZIP extraction time) = one minute :)
Full video description and tutorial at EightForums.com: Windows 10 - Test Try with No Risk, No Install
This is basically the same than tut & video posted earlier for Windows 7 users, however the process is different enough in Windows 8 to justify its own tut & video.
Extra credits and kudos to our resident GFX guru @kado897 for title background and Windows 8 wallpaper.
Tip
Are you Windows 10 Stable Release user, wanting to test latest Insider Preview builds before deciding if opting in is something for you?
Although this video is made for Windows 8 / 8.1, the process of using pre-installed Windows 10 Insider Preview on a VHD in native dual boot is exactly the same in Windows 10. This video and tutorial apply as they are to Windows 10, letting you test Insider build on your real hardware without installing it, with no risk.
- Windows 7: Windows 10 - Test Try with No Risk, No Install - Windows 7 Forums
- Windows 8: Windows 10 - Test Try with No Risk, No Install - Windows 8 Forums
Kari
Disregard the conspiracy theories. I upgraded my three computers. Two had issues with the upgrade so I backed up my HDDs and added an SSD and did a clean install. Make sure to do a custom installation and deselect all the telemetry. Install Spybot Antibeacon and you'll be fine. Other than the steep learning curve to learn the new interface and tweaks, I've been very impressed with Win10. It's faster than Win7
Would like to say a big thankyou to everybody for your input.
I have to say I am loving it and am glad I took the bull by the horns and went for it
You should ALWAYS make a complete image backup 1st ....then if something does go wrong, you can restore your OS to a good working version. I will be making my image backup tomorrow, for insurance. I use Macrium Reflect myself. Keep your image backups on a 2nd drive, or external drive. :)
Maybe I missed this. Why hasn't anyone mentioned settings and then the privacy icon? Even after you do the custom install you will want to go in there. There are additional options you can turn off in regards to telemetry. Also, don't blanket turn off everything in the custom setup or you will accidently cutoff Smartscreen, which is part of the security protecting Windows. Finally, go into the personalization icon in settings as well. Go to start and cut off suggested apps.
You really don't need any third party tools, just spend some time getting to know the OS. I have found everything people complain about, including the messages you get in the notification center, can easily be adjusted and/or cutoff via an option under settings.
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....hope that goes well 