The Official Windows 10 thread

[rotNdude]

There have been many threads started because folks are seeing that new little icon in their system tray on older versions of Windows. In an effort to keep all the questions to one thread, this is it.

You will be given a choice to upgrade to Windows 10 over a one year period after it is officially released on July 29th and you're running a qualifying OS for upgrade. You can do it when it's released or wait until later.

If that new icon bothers you, you can get rid of it. If you do get rid of it, you can still upgrade later, assuming you do it within that one year period.

http://venturebeat.com/2015/05/31/microsoft-starts-prompting-windows-7-and-windows-8-users-to-reserve-their-free-windows-10-upgrade/

If you have questions about Steam compatibility, post it here. If you have questions about game compatibility, post it in the game forum of interest.

If you have general questions relating to problems with the OS or upgrading, ask them here.

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Edit by rotNdude for Badmotha
So to further set the record straight, every Windows OS user should go through and understand this:

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/ultimate-windows-10-activation-license-faq
This is a much much newer write-up that explains all you really need, in fully details, and is new enough to explain how Windows 10 (and previous OS) terms have changed as well as that with the Win10 1511, u no longer need to install the upgrade first to help ensure proper activation.

My suggestion also, if you downloaded and created a Win10 media backup prior to Nov 2015, make a new one using Win10 Media Creation Tool again. This will make your new hard copy the latest official build. Microsoft will continue to update the downloadable ISO build as later builds become official. If you like the Beta builds, you get those within your OS through Windows Insider Program opt-in.
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Edit from Badmotha
Can u please update the main Sticky to include this important Win10 Users Tip:


Motherboard BIOS Firmware update can trigger Windows 10 Inactive
http://www.guru3d.com/news-story/motherboard-bios-firmware-update-can-trigger-windows-10-inactive.html
Suggest that users check and/or update their Laptop / Desktop to latest BIOS prior to Win10 install for best results, and to avoid head-aches.


Also Microsoft is rolling out some major Win10 updates come November; once of which will simplify the way you activate your Win10 by allowing users to simply input their current qualifying Win7 SP1 or 8.1 Product Key during the Clean Win10 Installer, so that Upgrade method won't be required.

http://www.guru3d.com/news-story/next-big-windows-10-release-will-simplify-activation-procedures.html


Also in Nov during these Win10 updates, XboxOne users will see their console get a full Win10 Upgrade; this will not only help the Xbox performance overall, but help with regards to Win10 streaming Xbox to PC. MS is also looking to allow PC game streaming to the XboxOne, so users won't need device like Steam Link (or Streaming PC) if they have Win10 PC and an XboxOne.


In December, Win8 Phone users will get options for full Win10 OS updates.

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Edit by Spawn of Totoro:

For those who wish to do a clean install of Windows 10, here is a nice article explaining how to do so.

http://lifehacker.com/how-to-do-a-clean-install-of-windows-10-1720775893

And for those who want to create a log-in with out a Microsoft Account:

http://www.baldnerd.com/install-windows-10-without-a-microsoft-account/
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EDIT by rotNdude posted by Azza

The Windows 10 upgrade is being rolled out over time by Microsoft, so you won't see the icon until the upgrade is ready for your machine or the icon might disappear on you.

Now you might be wondering why? Your friend got it, but you reserved it before them and still waiting for ages, arrr!!!

Firstly they are releasing the upgrade download in waves (to avoid server overload).

There are two ways to jump this wait. This might actually be slowing down your own turn to upgrade. However, I personal don't recommend using them yourself - even though others might of jumped in front of you, in the long run it doesn't actually help too much (and can seriously cause more issues).

Manual trigger ( wuauclt.exe /updatenow ) - As it causes download issues (not just for you, but the others) and your own activition/unlocking might be still delayed or cancelled. Most people attempting this end up with only a part downloaded, then download error message.

Manual download tool ( if you really can't wait ) - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 - is a better option at least.

Just note: They are taking a measured approach to ensure that we only upgrade users when we have a high confidence level for the compatibility of their device. So the automatic waiting on your Operating System upgrade is in place for a reason to be ensured it will work with all your hardware/software.

I suggest actually waiting, this might take another day or even weeks, but at least then you will not run into so many issues (when first released). They will start off with a lot of support, zero day patching, and issues - as with any new major service. A mad rush to get it, just causes more problems than it's worth.

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If you never got to reverved your copy of Win 10

Ensure if...

Win 7 - You have Service Pack 1 installed.
Win 8 - You have it updated to version 8.1.

Then go to Control Panel > Windows Updates

Ensure patch KB3035583 is installed (This is the GWX notification and download manager)

If that doesn't work, see Manual download tool above.

If all else fails getting that patch (manually):

Start > Run > type "cmd.exe" (without the quotes) and right-click it from the list, run as admin.

Under that admin evaluated command prompt type:
dism /online /get-packages | findstr KB3035583 > NUL

That's just telling Windows Updates to download the patch KB3035583 (as mentioned before). Then once that's installed, update your registry if required...

reg add "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\UpgradeExperienceIndicators" /v UpgEx /t REG_SZ /d Green /f

and try launching it...

%SystemRoot%\System32\GWX\GWX.exe /taskLaunch

then refresh it...

%SystemRoot%\System32\GWX\GWXConfigManager.exe /RefreshConfig


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Since people keep asking me over and over, I'll drop this note here...

Note there's an offical Windows 10 thread:
http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/11/618463446162617695/#p21

Mods - Feel free to merge it, I just assumed it might get overlooked there.
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[Space Coward]

weehawky eredeti hozzászólása:

Kill-Cam Celebrity eredeti hozzászólása:

It was pretty bad last month from what I've HEARD, but I've been using it since February and haven't run into too many snags. The feature of pulling windows to alternate virtual desktops is a must-have and it's still not nearly as demanding as Windows 7's desktop.
(yes, I actually don't like Windows 7, I think it's just about as bad as Vista)

What's wrong with Vista?

Way too demanding for its time, way too many unnecessary changes that essentially took a sledgehammer to compatibility, and D3D10 definitely didn't make it somehow worth the changes.

[PunkSteve]

Kill-Cam Celebrity eredeti hozzászólása:

weehawky eredeti hozzászólása:

Windows 10 sure sounds like fun..

It was pretty bad last month from what I've HEARD, but I've been using it since February and haven't run into too many snags. The feature of pulling windows to alternate virtual desktops is a must-have and it's still not nearly as demanding as Windows 7's desktop.
(yes, I actually don't like Windows 7, I think it's just about as bad as Vista)

The Virtual Desktop feature sounds like it'd come in handy. Is that included in all Win.10 versions (i'm getting Home to start with) ?

[Player]

Hanging Chad eredeti hozzászólása:

Anyone try the W10 trial version of Minecraft yet? Mine works but I get the worst audio feedback I've ever heard on my machine. Won't be playing that again. Candy Crush is rather fun and sounds excellent. (Beware of Solitaire = you'll see - ha, ha, ha).


Edit:

Can't wait for the new W10 DirectX 12 Gears of War.

I tried to W10 version of Minecraft but lost it because I had to reset my old computer and now I have no idea what my MS account with it on is

[WeeHawky RIP Norm]

I'm thinking I may have to belly up another $100 to upgrade 7 Home to 10 Pro to really have good control of the updates ?

[GoWithTheFlo]

weehawky eredeti hozzászólása:

I'm thinking I may have to belly up another $100 to upgrade 7 Home to 10 Pro to really have good control of the updates ?

You don't get full control if you upgrade to windows 10?

[WeeHawky RIP Norm]

GoWithTheFlo eredeti hozzászólása:

weehawky eredeti hozzászólása:

I'm thinking I may have to belly up another $100 to upgrade 7 Home to 10 Pro to really have good control of the updates ?

You don't get full control if you upgrade to windows 10?

Downloads whenever it feels like it less you are using wifi

[Space Coward]

GoWithTheFlo eredeti hozzászólása:

weehawky eredeti hozzászólása:

I'm thinking I may have to belly up another $100 to upgrade 7 Home to 10 Pro to really have good control of the updates ?

You don't get full control if you upgrade to windows 10?

Security Updates are forced for Windows 10 users. I believe Windows 10 Professional can delay them, but only for a few months.

[WeeHawky RIP Norm]

Kill-Cam Celebrity eredeti hozzászólása:

GoWithTheFlo eredeti hozzászólása:

You don't get full control if you upgrade to windows 10?

Security Updates are forced for Windows 10 users. I believe Windows 10 Professional can delay them, but only for a few months.

I only need to have control of them to download between 12-5 AM (not counted towards my data cap) hours.

[xSPAC3MONK3Yx]

GoWithTheFlo eredeti hozzászólása:

weehawky eredeti hozzászólása:

I'm thinking I may have to belly up another $100 to upgrade 7 Home to 10 Pro to really have good control of the updates ?

You don't get full control if you upgrade to windows 10?

Not home no, with Pro you have more control, but not complete

[WeeHawky RIP Norm]

xSPAC3MONK3Yx eredeti hozzászólása:

GoWithTheFlo eredeti hozzászólása:

You don't get full control if you upgrade to windows 10?

Not home no, with Pro you have more control, but not complete

I wonder if Pro would allow me to have control enough for me ?

[Space Coward]

weehawky eredeti hozzászólása:

Kill-Cam Celebrity eredeti hozzászólása:

Security Updates are forced for Windows 10 users. I believe Windows 10 Professional can delay them, but only for a few months.

I only need to have control of them to download between 12-5 AM (not counted towards my data cap) hours.

http://www.howtogeek.com/224471/how-to-prevent-windows-10-from-automatically-downloading-updates/

If you mark your connection as "Metered," you essentially disable auto-updates. When you want to download updates, you can set it to unmetered at these times.

[WeeHawky RIP Norm]

Kill-Cam Celebrity eredeti hozzászólása:

weehawky eredeti hozzászólása:

I only need to have control of them to download between 12-5 AM (not counted towards my data cap) hours.

http://www.howtogeek.com/224471/how-to-prevent-windows-10-from-automatically-downloading-updates/

If you mark your connection as "Metered," you essentially disable auto-updates. When you want to download updates, you can set it to unmetered at these times.

I even tried the registry hack and didn't see how to set ethernet as metered . (setting the registry keys from 1 to 2 ) .

[[☥] - CJ -]

i just have windows update set to Notify to schedule restart
By the time its set to automatically reboot like 12 hours later or some crap ive already checked Windows Update and manually rebooted

i really dont find it to be THAT much of a problem.

If you have it set to Automatic, then yeah its gonna reboot whenever it feels like it, in which case would be your fault for not changing the setting.

[banzaigtv]

I have Win 10 Pro set up to disable automatic updates full-time through organization settings of sorts. I have the source link in my favorites, but I cannot really post it right now since I'm on my phone.

[averyvh]

☥ - CJ - eredeti hozzászólása:

i just have windows update set to Notify to schedule restart
By the time its set to automatically reboot like 12 hours later or some crap ive already checked Windows Update and manually rebooted

i really dont find it to be THAT much of a problem.

If you have it set to Automatic, then yeah its gonna reboot whenever it feels like it, in which case would be your fault for not changing the setting.

He isn't worried about random reboots, but that Windows will hog bandwidth during peak hours and cost him $$ or have his ISP cut him off.

The real problem is that any work around you try on Windows 10 might just break one day because a registry value gets reset or Microsoft decides it wants to push an update anyway.

Honestly, stay far away from 10 if you want any control over what your computer is doing.