You may not have heard much about Windows 10 yet, but it marks some big changes on Microsoft’s end, as well as some returns to classic form (read: the Start button is back!). The OS gets it’s “official” release at the end of July, and they’re hoping to get a boost in adoption by offering it for free at launch.
Some of you may have returned to work this Monday with this tantalizing prompt waiting for you:
So, should you upgrade yet?
The consensus of our happiness engineers was unanimous: No.
As tempting as it is to get in on the ground floor, the version of Windows 10 available now is still facing some significant bugs.
So what’s the best action for the average Windows user right now? Wait a quarter. Maybe even two quarters, and see if Microsoft releases a service pack, or at least some hotfixes, because more issues are sure to surface after the OS becomes publicly available. Our HelpDesk Manager, Luke Schneider, uses 6 months as his rule of thumb—it’s a good headstart for major bugs to get washed out, and for the compatibility to catch up with the release.
On the other hand, If you’re a risk-taker, or just curious enough that you need to give it a spin, we’ve listed the major issues so far.
Typical young software problems
While the OS hasn’t been out long, it’s been long enough for users to find issues with drivers—printer issues, scanner issues, display issues, sound issues—all common for new operating systems. Developers on the manufacturer’s end always need some time to catch up, and you’ll see those issues taper off a few months after the official release of Windows 10.
On top of that, Windows updater isn’t working properly on Windows 10 yet, either sending the wrong driver updates, or missing them altogether. A less apparent issue is that memory usage hasn’t been optimized yet, which may lead to users scratching their heads while simple tasks bog down their processor.
Benefits to look forward to
It’s true, the “Start” menu is back! Microsoft seems to be wising up after the negative reaction to Windows 8 design changes, though the return of this iconic button hasn’t stopped new users from struggling while they get used to the new navigation.
They’re also working hard to marry the new OS with mobile functionality, adding a type of Cortana software which can easily link your computer and phone (Android, Windows, or iPhone) wirelessly, as well as a voice command system that will span all your devices.
For the true techies among us, Windows 10 also brings some big improvements to the command line interface—better text-wrapping and resizing, keyboard shortcuts to copy and paste things in the command line—just to name a few.
If you just can’t wait
If you really want to test it out and you have the resources to play with it on a low-risk device or in a virtual environment, then go for it! Get a taste for how it is.
When Windows 10 properly releases, you can bet I’ll be playing with it on my low-risk home computer, but I won’t be taking it to work with me anytime soon.
