I am wondering if the media creation tool is the easiest way to upgrading from windows 7 to 10 remotely? Is there an easy way to mass upgrade everyone on the network without them losing data? Is MDT easier? If using MCT do you have to baby it in an admin account so the user doesnt mess with it or is there a seamless way? Thanks in advance
Hi, please see:
Upgrade to Windows 10
from the Tutorials section
Windows 10 Tutorial Index
which you're free to browse and search.
This tutorial includes basic precautions and a section providing guidance and links to many documents when things go wrong.
There is no guarantee things will go smoothly.
If your system has been offered Win 10 by Windows update, then you've a decent chance. If it has not, then either Windows Update is not working properly or MS deems your system potentially incompatible.
A basic precaution is to make sure you have a current disk image of Windows before attempting the upgrade e.g. using Macrium reflect (free/paid) + external storage for image files. Occasionally a system can be rendered unbootable.
Basics:
- Check your disk and file system before starting.
- Uninstall any 3rd party security software
- Remove any unnecessary peripherals
- Ensure you have at least (say) 25Gb free on C: - Windows.old will be created - about the size of Windows now- and should be deleted automatically after 10 days
You can download an iso file for Win 10, of course, and also create a bootable medium. Either can be used for the upgrade, which is, of course, started when you are logged in.
Upgrading using e.g. a mounted iso file tends to give rise to fewer problems, and you can opt not to apply updates as part of the upgrade procedure to simply it. In a few cases this can allow the upgrade to complete rather than stalling for hours.
Upgrading using an iso circumvents the compatibility checks MS applies via Windows Update.
Depending on what kind of network you have, be aware that Home Group has been removed from Win 10.
Note that we are just at the point of seeing the very first instances of the next major build appearing- 1909. (The current build is 1903). However, 1909 is being delivered, for the first time, as a cumulative update, rather than as a new build/new iso/feature update.
Note that you can read the details of the 1903 build and every update per build in an article per update per build in the News section here. E.g.
Known and Resolved issues for Windows 10 May 2019 Update version 1903
Note that if you have large complex hierarchical start menus using their own folders, no Win 10-style start menu will handle these properly.
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