Dilemma - Upgrade To 7 Or Not?

Ex_Brit · Jan 28, 2015

Dilemma - Upgrade To 7 In Order To Get 10 Free, Or Not?

With the upcoming release of Windows 10 and the fact that Microsoft are allowing free upgrades from 7 through 8.1, I'll be in a dilemma as to whether or not to upgrade as Vista still has a couple of years of extended support left.
I realize I multi-boot so already have 2 chances at it so could theoretically have all 3 boots as 10's - which I would continue to utilize as I am now, for testing different versions of security software.
I'm not a huge fan of 8/8.1 I'm afraid, despite heavy modifications to make it behave and look (mostly) like 7.
What would you do?

townsbg · Jan 28, 2015

Free update for windows 7 users? I'll keep that in mind although I haven't yet tried 10. I'm afraid that I won't be of much help since I don't run windows as my base OS. I do have Vista & 7 virtual machines but I prefer/use Vista more. As for a triple boot with 7 I'd say go for it. I once had 6 versions of windows installed on 2 hard drives so it can be done. Like you I can't stand 8. I'd have to buy it and not even a free upgrade to 10 would encourage me to get it.

Ex_Brit · Jan 28, 2015

Windows 10 is at least trying to reintroduce some of the things they chopped in 8/8.1. Like you I prefer Vista as. at least with my Ultimate, it has everything I need, Mail (NOT in the Cloud), Media Center, Quicklaunch, Fax and Scan, Transparency and so on. 7 lost mail and then 8 as far as I was concerned lost everything unless you were a tablet fanatic, or was prepared to spend some time doing registry hacks and installing some retro-look software. I also didn't like the fact that I could no longer see the various behind the scenes processes in action - they were/are all in that infernal Metro interface. Great if you're stupid I suppose.

wither 3 · Jan 28, 2015

I have Vista and Win 7 (different systems). I don't have a hate or anything like that for Win 7 but I find Vista much easier to configure and could care less about things like Libraries. I've read a lot about Win 10 and it looks like it might be a winner. Supposedly, it will allow more backwards compatibility to legacy programs than Win 8 does and that's important to me.

Ex_Brit · Jan 29, 2015

Good points, thanks.

Koukol · Feb 5, 2015

I came here today to ask this very question.
I like using Vista but it seems everybody making accessories has moved on.

I'm trying to find a replacement mouse for my defunct touch pad.
I'm testing the Microsoft Wedge right now, which I really like the feel of in my Arthritic hands, but their website doesn't have any downloads for a Vista set-up.

What is this free upgrade?
Does it mean I lose all my programs again? (I just did a System Recovery for the fourth time last week)

Ex_Brit · Feb 5, 2015

What is this free upgrade?
Does it mean I lose all my programs again? (I just did a System Recovery for the fourth time last week)

When Microsoft release Windows 10 RTM officially later this year, they intend to offer people with Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 systems a free upgrade.

As Vista can't be upgraded to Windows 10 anyway, I was thinking of upgrading my Vista to Windows 7 SP1 as I already have a spare Windows 7 key in my possession and the installation media etc.
In my case the only programme I would lose would be Windows Mail, which I no longer use, so that wont be a big loss.
You can check if your system is good for an upgrade by running the Windows 7 Upgrade Readiness Tool.
Link is here: Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor - Windows 7 Help Forums

Koukol · Feb 6, 2015

Thanks for the reply, Ex.

It sounds like Vista users are out of luck, yes?

Ex_Brit · Feb 6, 2015

For the upgrade to 10, yes, but at least there's another couple of years life left in the system.

wither 3 · Feb 6, 2015

In addition, Koukol is looking at a specific type of mouse because of his arthritis. Logitech and others have more capable mice with Vista drivers.

Ex_Brit · Feb 6, 2015

I just bought a Logitech MX800 mouse and keyboard combo set as I have arthritis too and I need something easy to use, and that is.

whs · Feb 6, 2015

If you have a stable Vista system, I would wait for 10. There is not much to be gained if you go to 7 now.

wither 3 · Feb 6, 2015

Ex_Brit- excellent information. Maybe it will help Koukol. I was looking at the Logitech Marthon mouse and the thing I liked about it the most is that it says it will go 3 years on a set of batteries. My old Logitech wireless mouse goes throught a set of batteries every 1-2 months. Since I don't have any significant arthritis (I'm 70), I don't know what the special needs are.

The verdict is still out on Win 10. It all depends on the characteristics of the final product and if it's legacy support is all it's cracked up to be. DOS lives in Windows to this day despite what Microsoft says.

Ex_Brit · Feb 6, 2015

whs said:
If you have a stable Vista system, I would wait for 10. There is not much to be gained if you go to 7 now.

Except I'll have to pay for 10 by then ;-)

wither 3 said:
Ex_Brit- excellent information. Maybe it will help Koukol. I was looking at the Logitech Marthon mouse and the thing I liked about it the most is that it says it will go 3 years on a set of batteries. My old Logitech wireless mouse goes throught a set of batteries every 1-2 months. Since I don't have any significant arthritis (I'm 70), I don't know what the special needs are.

The verdict is still out on Win 10. It all depends on the characteristics of the final product and if it's legacy support is all it's cracked up to be. DOS lives in Windows to this day despite what Microsoft says.

Good luck with the hunt for mouse and keyboard. I'm nearly 74 so beat you on that one...LOL

whs · Feb 6, 2015

Except I'll have to pay for 10 by then ;-)

And 7 is free ??

wither 3 · Feb 6, 2015

Ex_Brit said he has the key and software (I think retail) for Win 7.

Ex_Brit, I'm not looking for a new mouse/keyboard set. I was just referring to what I found when I was researching the mouse that Koukol referred to. I have a mx 600 mouse/keyboard combination and I'm very satisfied with it, other than the short battery life.

whs · Feb 6, 2015

Well, if he has the key, then it is a no-brainer.

whs · Feb 6, 2015

I always use a wired keyboard because all my keyboards are backlit and would use a lot of batteries. For mices I prefer the trackball kind. That is more relaxing for the hand. For that I change the battery twice per year.

Koukol · Feb 6, 2015

Thanks for the input, guys.
I found a good, cheap mouse today (Logitech mini mouse)
It will work on any surface so I can even rest my elbow on a pillow and use it on my stomach (I couch surf)

So...this updating...is updating from Vista to 7 free and recommended?

Koukol · Feb 6, 2015

whs said:
I always use a wired keyboard because all my keyboards are backlit and would use a lot of batteries. For mices I prefer the trackball kind. That is more relaxing for the hand. For that I change the battery twice per year.

That was the first mouse I tried on my journey but my thumb is partially dislocated and discovered the mouse aggravated it.

Dilemma - Upgrade To 7 Or Not?

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