Specific changes when upgrading from 8.1 to 10

Hello everyone! This is my first post on this forum, so I'll apologize for my lack of knowing exactly all the forum's rules. I hope that I have posted in the right section.


I've been using windows 8.1 for more than one year and it's been a really awesome experience. The OS was way more stable than 8 and it was just perfect for me. However, knowing that Windows 10 has just appeared, my interests also changed.
Because the consumer version of Windows 10 is offering right now free upgrades for the 7/8.1 users, I was thinking about upgrading it too. The only things which stop me to upgrade right away are about saving. Let's say for example that I have lots of shortcuts put in a specific position on my desktop and lots of apps and games which have been running without any problem right now.
I'm using the 64-bit version, but even so, is it possible to lose the compatibility of some applications or even to lose the applications itself if I upgrade to the new version? Or everything that I have been using right now will remain untouched and the only things which are going to change is the windows itself without modifying the apps files and so?
It's not like I want a clean install. I only want to upgrade to the new version, but also keep all of my files untouched. Another "major" problem about this would be that I want to upgrade using a USB boot drive, not the Windows Updates way.


Considering this, could you please tell me if my worries are useless or should I be prepared to reinstall most of my apps again because I'm thinking of upgrading? Could you also provide me the consumer's edition of the Windows 10, because I have only found the tehnnical preview of it. Thank you!

Wait until later on the year. There is nothing to upgrade to yet. There is no "consumers edition" whatever you think that is. Microsoft have said you can upgrade (probably) from the current preview versions but it isn't fixed in stone.

I upgraded 8.1 to TP for example but I might well have to restore back to 8.1. I expect to upgrade direct to RTM but no-one knows for sure (although you can see this https://twitter.com/GabeAul/status/543203901197922304)

Thanks for the tip. It seems kind of harsh to know that I can only wait for the best, but it's not like I'm in a rush. Windows 8.1 did his best untill now and haven't disappointed me yet .