My experience and opinion with Windows 10

I am an old man not quite senile and still with most of my common sense and thinking ability. I even have gained experience computing over the years. However, nothing prepared me for the frustration and angst I had installing Windows 10.

It seems to me that most people who buy a computer believe it will function from day one. That it will take on their part a period of time in which they learn to operate it properly. This majority of computer owners are neither technicians nor programmers. They simply want the computer to work as intended so they can exchange emails, do on-line shopping, check the news and manage their personal business affairs, etc.

I was part of that majority but over the years I found it interesting knowing more about how the computer worked and as a consequence, delved into the physicality of the computer’s components. I taught myself to do simple things like add HDD, SDD, memory and cards. I even conquered my fears and have replaced the CPU and PSU. Guess this shows you can teach old dogs new tricks.

When Microsoft offered the free upgrade to Windows 10, I eagerly accepted the offer because I not only wanted to have the “most state-of-the-art OS but also to take advantage of having it for free. Ha! Doing so, I found myself in the most frustrating period of computing I have ever experienced.

First, I could not get Windows 10 installed on my desktop. No matter which procedure I used, direct installation from the notification, using the Media Creation Tool and its different methods, and at one time or another during this terrible ordeal, stripped the computer of all connected disks other than the OS disk, unconnected hubs holding large capacity backup HDD’s, pulled out 3^rd party sound and graphic cards, uninstalled all 3^rd party software including anti-virus apps, and all non-Microsoft drivers. I replaced every Microsoft driver I could with the then current Microsoft driver. Lastly, I made sure I had all current updates.

Nothing worked. I spoke to the computer manufacturer, Microsoft and sought assistance from considerate members of this and other computer forums.

STILL NOTHING WORKED! I could not download or install Windows 10!

I was about to give up and then tried one more time. This time, I replaced the existing HDD in my computer with a new unused SSD. Next, I installed windows 7 and no other software or hardware. I used the MCT and successfully downloaded Windows 10 and installed it. As quickly as I could, I next did a CLEAN INSTALL of Windows 10.

This entire process, working hours each day, took from July 29 to August 24. My wife thought I was on the road to insanity hearing the heat of my voice and language as each attempt failed.

As frustrating and time-consuming as this all took, today I am happy that I now have Windows 10 on my desktop. Yes, I have had a few minor glitches with it. But, after implementing solutions Windows 10 does make computing a pleasure again.

I appreciate getting this OS free from Microsoft. Nevertheless, I am critical that they release it with so many bugs I recognize that many posts in forums are made by those complaining rather than extolling. However, the sheer number of real issues have made this release quite frustrating to many of us.

If you had a great experience installing and using Windows 10, I applaud your success. I only wish it had gone smoother and more rapidly for me.

One thing to bear in mind is that many people, including myself, bought and installed the retail version of Windows 10 and installed it cleanly on fairly new hardware and it works almost perfectly. This at least shows that the capability is there for it to work properly and that is somewhat comforting.
I suspect a lot of issues people have with the new operating systems were because of doing upgrades on systems that had issues beforehand and they have transferred over or even gotten worse.
Anyway, from what I've seen, this is a good forum for sorting out issues and for helping others through your own experiences. Just trying stuff out; fine-tuning here and there, makes things work out in the end.