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[Kagoshima_Luke]

So, I have that little icon, urging me to "Get Windows 10." It's apparently free. I've been sticking with Windows 7 for years now, with no complaints. I feel this decision served me well through the sometimes rocky Windows 8 updates.

Is it time to upgrade? Is Windows 10 worthy to replace my beloved Windows 7?

(I'm speaking from a gaming perspective, of course)

________________________________________________


Edit: Manual download/installation is up, if you are tired of waiting: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Edit #2: Regarding clean installs:

The upgrade tool doesn't give me the option for a clean install

It won't. You get that after you do the upgrade.

Edit #3: Possible fix for 80240020 Error:

What this error means is, your Windows 10 installation folder is unfinished and/or corrupted. Now, how do you fix that?
1. Go into "C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download" and delete everything in that folder.
2. Now, run the command prompt as an administrator. Type in "wuauclt.exe /updatenow".
3. Go to your Control Panel > Windows Update and your Windows 10 should start re-downloading from scratch, hopefully without flaws this time.

Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/windows/comments/3eyrre/fix_for_the_80240020_error_when_trying_to_install/

Edit #4: DualShock 4 is having issues with Windows 10.

Info from the maker of DS4Windows:

Hey guys Im the dev of DS4Windows, basically the case is that there was a local service on Windows 7 - 8.1 that made sure the System didn't grab every device the moment it connected. Now that it's missing, the system keeps the DS4 Controller (Wireless controller) visible and still active, and being the system, it notices the controller before DS4W can hide it.

It won't affect every game, just games that support dinput, such as Dark Souls 1, Distance, and pretty much every game made in Unity. Like I said on the site, I have no idea how to fix this yet, when Windows 10 officially comes out I'll look into this more, but having tried the build of WIndows 10 likely to be the official RTM build, it seems like it will remain to be a problem.

Also sorry for the lack of updates, I've been pretty busy. I'll will be (hopefully) try to add Chinese support and some new features soon, but being perfectly honest, if I or anyone can't find a way to hide the controller on Windows 10, I can't say I'll be supporting DS4W for much longer.

And and rough workaround:

Mine started working after HOURS of tweaking iagommc11's suggestion. I disabled all "system services", turned them off/on one-by-one to see which among these services were the problems. It was the "DHCP Client" which was causing the "exclusivity" issue with InputMapper. I do not know why. BUT BUT BUT, once you turn this off, you will not have internet access (not easily, anyway).

DHCP is the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol: it enables a server (usually a network router) to assign an IP address to a computer to allow it to connect to its network. Without it, you have to use static IP addresses to gain network access.

If you are going to disable the DHCP Client service, please do so at your own risk. Anyway, to disable the DHCP Client service:
go to the Start Menu or the command prompt and type "msconfig"
go to the "services" tab
uncheck "DHCP Client"
restart your computer
You will lose DHCP access (and dynamic IP addressing, thus probably your internet connection too) after this so just enable it again after you're done testing.

It's not the internet access that matters. It's the DHCP Client service. I have already tried disabling all my network connections so that Windows did not have internet access upon loading: InputMapper still had problems with exclusivity.

After disabling the DHCP Client service, I rebooted my computer and tried to set my IP to a static one (I just copied the dynamic IP the router gave me, etc.) and now I am posting using this connection AND my DS4 is now in "Exclusive mode".

Big thanks to iagommc11 for this!

Source: https://inputmapper.com/forum/4/614

Edit #5: Tip: If you hit the Guide button on an Xbox One or Xbox 360 controller while playing a game, you can bring up the Game Bar. This lets you take screenshots and record videos (essentially, use the Game DVR feature), which are visible and integrated within the Xbox app. This works for most games - yes, even those you bought on Steam or Origin or wherever.

 

[PapaEmeritus]

So, I have that little icon, urging me to "Get Windows 10." It's apparently free. I've been sticking with Windows 7 for years now, with no complaints. I feel this decision served me well through the sometimes rocky Windows 8 updates.

Is it time to upgrade? Is Windows 10 worthy to replace my beloved Windows 7?

(I'm speaking from a gaming perspective, of course)

Yes it's very smooth. Upgrade isn't live until July 29th. Also if you hate it the rollback from the upgrade is super easy. Made a test box for work and had to roll it back to 8.1 no problems at all.

I did have a problem with the Preview of pro 10 recognizing my LAN driver though.

 

[Berordn]

There's little reason not to upgrade. It's basically Windows 8, minus Windows 8. All the under the hood improvements with none of the heartbreak over mandatory Metro. The new Start Menu isn't perfect but Cortana's actually pretty great in the last few builds so searching for anything is easy.

 

[-SD-]

It's free.

It also has got the combined power of Windows Display Driver Model 2.0 and DirectX 12.

Go for it.

I did.

 

[Grief.exe]

Do not upgrade to Windows 10 right now, stick with 7 or 8.

I've been on it for a few months, and gaming on an unstable OS is not perfect.

 

[Dreamwriter]

Windows 8 had some very good performance upgrades - while many of its UI changes were dumb, the internal OS was better. Windows 10 has a much improved interface *and* extra performance, and is the only way you'll be able to make use of Direct X 12. So yeah, I'd say Windows 10 is a good time to update, especially as it's free if you upgrade within like the first year. A friend of mine works at MS, and he says the build he got recently is very stable, and fixed some driver issues he had before (specifically, with Razer Synapse).

 

[Kazer]

So, I have that little icon, urging me to "Get Windows 10." It's apparently free. I've been sticking with Windows 7 for years now, with no complaints. I feel this decision served me well through the sometimes rocky Windows 8 updates.

Is it time to upgrade? Is Windows 10 worthy to replace my beloved Windows 7?

(I'm speaking from a gaming perspective, of course)

Isn't DX12 going to be Win 10 exclusive? You'll need to upgrade to it eventually. I haven't had any complaints with the preview so far.

 

[Azih]

You'll need it for DX12 and it's got a hell of lot of improvements under the hood in other places as well.

If you cannot abide UI changes then I'm sure there will be plenty of 3rd party apps that will make the Start Menu work exactly as you're used to currently though Win10 is way more like Win7 in that regard than Win8 was.

 

[Diablohead]

(I'm speaking from a gaming perspective, of course)

DirectX 12 will be enough of a reason for the windows upgrade, I also found going from 7 to 8 helped my core2duo and load times for my software a fair bit, it's a lite OS compared to the older stuff.

 

[DrRussian]

I'm pretty sure that windows 10 will be to windows 8 what 7 was to vista. So I say yes to updating since it's free.

 

[Genio88]

Of course it is worth, DirectX12, Xbox features, new web browser Edge which should be faster than Chrome, it's faster to boot etc...it's always windows, so it won't be hard to use compared to windows 7, plus is free, why wouldn't you do that?

 

[FinalD]

Does anyone know about possible compatibility issues? Or is the kernel (or whatever) unchanged? Coming from 8.1 that is.

 

[Roshin]

I don't know, but I'm not saying no to a free OS upgrade. I skipped 8, because I thought the UI was terrible.

 

[RP912]

I'm currently using the Windows 10 Preview and enjoying every minute of it. It has it's share of bugs but I never had a issue with gaming on it.

If you are not feeling froggy enough to upgrade now, just wait for July 29th. It's right around the corner.

 

[Combichristoffersen]

It's the best of Win 7 with the best of Win 8. And it's free. I see no reason not to upgrade.

 

[Gren]

Plan to upgrade to 10 on my laptop (browsing/everyday tasks), and wait 'til the coast is clear before making the jump on gaming computers.

It'll be free for the first year, right? If you've only one PC, couldn't hurt to hold off for some early adopter reports, lest you're having insufferable problems w/ your current OS.

 

[Doffen]

Do not upgrade to Windows 10 right now, stick with 7 or 8.

I've been on it for a few months, and gaming on an unstable OS is not perfect.

OP is talking about reservation for the RTM version while you are talking about the insider preview, no?

 

[Nzyme32]

I apparently don't have the option, since either my laptop doesn't meet their minimum spec or there is something wrong with my windows update. Regardless, I'd be waiting to build my next system, then getting the upgrade via Windows 10 so that I can avoid the inevitable issues of a brand new OS needing plenty of fixes, while also having Windows 10 "for the lifetime of the device" attached to the device that will last the longest

 

[Bsigg12]

If you have the space, I do suggest making a partition and trying out the Win 10 preview. Aside from a few known bugs, I've been using it as my daily OS and it has been great. If you plan on getting a newer graphics card, I do suggest getting it for DX12.

 

[sfried]

Tell me more about the under the hood stuff. Does Win10 use memory a whole lot more efficiently than 8.1, because it's going to be very hard to top that one off.

When I made my rig I was hesitant about installing 8.1 but did it regardless because it was a fresh install and a brand new computer. By far the most stable Windows since...Win 2000? But it was also the snappiest (as in, runs cleanly, no need to delete prefetch for quicker bootup times) in terms of a modern OS.

From what I hear, you will not be required to clean install, which is a good thing, since I made so many reg/config edits to count on most of my programs.

 

[sfried]

Edit: Forums sorta derped on my for a second. Mods, pls. delete.

 

[Zedox]

Try out in the Insider Preview. The latest build is pretty stable (should be getting a new one soon...I really need a new phone preview...but whatevs). See if you like it. It's really a mesh of the best of Windows 7 and Windows 8 into one.

 

[zeorhymer]

I'd say go for it. It's free and has a lot of goodies under the hood. I doubt there'll be a huge performance boost with DX12 since it's so new. Of course, you'll need to upgrade your drivers once you install it on, but that should be routine.

 

[FordGTGuy]

Do not upgrade to Windows 10 right now, stick with 7 or 8.

I've been on it for a few months, and gaming on an unstable OS is not perfect.

I've been gaming on Windows 10 TP for months with no problem.

 

[Grief.exe]

OP is talking about reservation for the RTM version while you are talking about the insider preview, no?

Yes, just pointing it out just in case.

I've been gaming on Windows 10 TP for months with no problem.

Myself and plenty of other people have been having issues. With the millions of potential set ups out there, people will always have it either better or worse than your situation.

 

[Prophet Steve]

Yes, do it. Maybe wait a week or so to see whether there are major issues.

 

[Diablohead]

Do not upgrade to Windows 10 right now, stick with 7 or 8.

I've been on it for a few months, and gaming on an unstable OS is not perfect.

it's unstable because it's still in development, what did you expect?

 

[FordGTGuy]

Yes, just pointing it out just in case.



Myself and plenty of other people have been having issues. With the millions of potential set ups out there, people will always have it either better or worse than your situation.

You do realize that we're not telling people to game on Windows 10 TP but on Windows 10 release right?

 

[The Lamonster]

My computer is a potato from 2006 running Windows 7 64bit. I've updated the RAM and GPU but still.

Will upgrading to Windows 10 make more efficient use of my limited CPU resources or be more of a resource hog than W7?

 

[Bsigg12]

Keep in mind you also have a year to do the free upgrade. Wait a few months for each hardware company to get a few iterations of drivers out if you're hesitant.

 

[sfried]

My computer is a potato from 2006 running Windows 7 64bit. I've updated the RAM and GPU but still.

Will upgrading to Windows 10 make more efficient use of my limited CPU resources or be more of a resource hog than W7?

Windows 8.1 is defititely more resource efficient than 7, so my guess is it's going to be an improvement.

 

[FordGTGuy]

My computer is a potato from 2006 running Windows 7 64bit. I've updated the RAM and GPU but still.

Will upgrading to Windows 10 make more efficient use of my limited CPU resources or be more of a resource hog than W7?

Windows 10 is more efficient than Windows 7.

 

[Tabasco]

Not sure why this is on the gaming forum, but once Windows 10 is out, I would wait a little while to see what the consensus is.

If it runs stable enough after launch, go for it.

 

[Prophet Steve]

My computer is a potato from 2006 running Windows 7 64bit. I've updated the RAM and GPU but still.

Will upgrading to Windows 10 make more efficient use of my limited CPU resources or be more of a resource hog than W7?

Windows 8 is more efficient than Windows 7, Windows 10 will be too.

 

[Tom Nook]

Will this be a clean install upgrade?

 

[Dreamwriter]

Does anyone know about possible compatibility issues? Or is the kernel (or whatever) unchanged? Coming from 8.1 that is.

My MS friend hasn't had any problems with games - some driver support issues and earlier a bit of stability, but both of those have been fixed. He's been testing with a fairly intense game, Final Fantasy XIV, no problems.

Yes, just pointing it out just in case.

So, you felt it necessary to point out that pre-release beta software isn't always stable for everyone?

 

[biteren]

i hear the free upgrade works by replacing your win7 install, this conflicts what i was planning my system to be like (win7 on one drive and win10 on another). is this true or the guy who told me was crazy?

 

[Mononoke]

it's unstable because it's still in development, what did you expect?

That's true. Although I was a bit confused by OP at first. When he said he was getting notifications to upgrade now, I thought it was finished and rolling out early. I know you can get it early as its being tested, I just assumed something else when he said the notification was live.

 

[Sijil]

I have Windows 7 OEM which came with my Mobo and still no icon, are they rolling out the update on a region by region basis?

i hear the free upgrade works by replacing your win7 install, this conflicts what i was planning my system to be like (win7 on one drive and win10 on another). is this true or the guy who told me was crazy?

Can't you use your Windows 7 key and redownload or reinstall the OS on another partition?

 

[ironcreed]

I have it all lined up and ready to update automatically. Looking forward to it.

 

[Bsigg12]

That's true. Although I was a bit confused by OP at first. When he said he was getting notifications to upgrade now, I thought it was finished and rolling out early. I know you can get it early as its being tested, I just assumed something else when he said the notification was live.

There's an update rolling out to Windows 7/8 users that allows them to "reserve" there install so when July 29th hits, the system will be updated to Windows 10.

 

[AP90]

It's free.

It also has got the combined power of Windows Display Driver Model 2.0 and DirectX 12.

Go for it.

I did.

This. I also believe Dx12 should also give your CPU a performance boost for certain applications.

 

[Skyzard]

Are people who didn't expose themselves to windows 8 happy with the change to 10 from 7?

I don't want my OS functionality stuff gutted to suit tablets and then sold back to me later.

 

[Nemesis121]

My laptop is 7 home so i am getting the update, but my main desktop is Enterprise no free upgrade...

 

[FordGTGuy]

Are people who didn't expose themselves to windows 8 happy with the change to 10 from 7?

I don't want my OS functionality stuff gutted to suit tablets and then sold back to me later.

Yes you should be happy.

 

[bomblord1]

There is absolutely no reason not to.

 

[Berordn]

Are people who didn't expose themselves to windows 8 happy with the change to 10 from 7?

I don't want my OS functionality stuff gutted to suit tablets and then sold back to me later.

All the touch friendly and tablet focused stuff are optional toggles this time, so it really is the best of both worlds on that front.

 

[sfried]

So Win 10 is more efficient than 7.

But is Win 10 more efficient than 8.1? All of the stuff they're jamming it with such as Cortana and XboxOne stuff seem to be system-based, but I have no interest in turning my PC into an extension of a console. I just want an even more efficient version of Win 8.1.

 

[TouchMyBox]

I've been gaming on Windows 10 TP for months with no problem.

The Slow Ring is okay, but the Fast Ring is really really bad right now.

Crashes everywhere, missing PIN login, consistent errors at shutdown.

So Win 10 is more efficient than 7.

But is Win 10 more efficient than 8.1? All of the stuff they're jamming it with such as Cortana and XboxOne stuff seem to be system-based, but I have no interest in turning my PC into an extension of a console. I just want an even more efficient version of Win 8.1.

Doesn't seem any worse. You're gonna want to upgrade regardless for WDDM2.0/DX12.

 

[AP90]

Hated using 8 with out a touch screen (have windows 8 tablet) and 8.1 on laptop (fiancé's). 8.1 update made it better to use. Still did not switch my main gaming tower to it.. But I am going full 10 across the board. Its better to jump in with 2 feet then having 1 foot in a door.