This is the last segment of the Windows 10 for Beginners Series.

There is one month remaining to get the Windows 10 Upgrade for FREE. July 29, 2016 is the last day.

You can upgrade from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1

If you have Windows 8, you must first upgrade to Windows 8.1 for the FREE upgrade to Windows 10 to be allowed.

1

Let’s talk about a few highlights from the first 4 Windows 10 for Beginners segments.

When upgrading, all of your documents and programs will not be affected. They will be there safe and sound.

There are many new apps provided for free with Windows 10. Much more than Windows 7 or even Windows 8. These are good programs but not full featured but certainly not “handicapped” programs that work only half way and encourage you to spend money for the full program.

The Windows Store is the new (well, first found with Windows 8) and the best place for the masses to get new programs. There are even many free programs like games.

Please everyone, upgrading to Windows 10 is NOT required by any means. You don’t have to upgrade if you don’t want to.

However, if you decide to upgrade after July 29, 2016, you will have to pay for it. $119.

2

It is a fact. Most people stick with the operating system that came with their computer when they purchased it. It just isn’t important to most folks to get the latest and greatest operating system. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it motto.

Most computers can be upgraded. The next slide shows the system requirements but rest assured that computers 7 or 8 years old can be upgrade to Windows 10 and run just fine. In fact, likely will run a little faster because Windows 10 is a more efficiently written operating system over Windows 7 and before.

Right now, after about a year of Windows 10 in the wild, the upgrade process is pretty smooth and worry free. More on this in later slides.

Being worth the time and energy to upgrade is just up to you. Folks with a little bit of technical prowess will likely upgrade.

There are benefits to upgrading but these benefits are not requirements or earth shattering. The computer will start and shot down faster with Windows 10. The underlying security is better than Windows 7 but similar to Windows 8.

3

To some, this is valuable and important information.

Fore me, not so much.

However, if you are curious how many folks have which operating system, here it is.

4

I’m sorry for the technical jargon here.

GB – GigabytesRAM – Random Access Memory. The part of memory where running programs reside.Hard Drive – Where data and programs reside when they are not running.PC – Personal ComputerDirectX – Is a video technology standard. The graphics or look and feel on the screen is much cleaner and more precise than earlier computers.WDDM - Windows Display Driver Model is a video standard established by Microsoft for Windows.

5

Although a few things on the screen look a bit different than previous version of Windows (the Start Button, Tiles), virtually EVERYTHING works just like previous versions of Windows.

There is a new browser from Microsoft called Edge and has a similar looking icon as Internet Explorer which has been a long standing Microsoft browser. (more on this on a later slide).

Unfortunately, the Edge browser icon looks like Internet Explorer and when people click on it they expect to see their bookmarks and favorites and tabs before the upgrade. Since this is NOT the same browser, everything is brand new. To be fair to Microsoft however, Edge is a good browser and it’s opening screen text shows how one can import their bookmarks/favorites from their previous default browser. Be it Internet Explorer or Chrome or Firefox.

6

You can either click to Windows 10 Upgrade icon in the lower right portion of the Taskbar or you can click the link from this slide get get Windows 10 from the Microsoft web site.

Depending on how many programs and data is on your computer and the speed of the processer will determine how long the upgrade will take. It can take from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

There is a bit of preparation on your part though.

The first portion is the longest piece.

7

Since Windows 10 first arrived, the need to enter the License Key of your Windows 7 or 8.1 is no longer required. The Upgrade can get this from the computer itself.

However, if you perform a Reset (wipe off the PC and reinstall Windows 10), it is necessary to have this License Key.

The Operating System Product or License Key is on the DVD or on a sticker on the bottom or back of the computer.

The License Key is 25 characters in 5 groups of 5. Here is an example. JJJFK-GPHP7-G8C3J-P6JXR-HQRJR

If, you don’t cannot find the License Key, there is a FREE program you can run which will examine the inner workings of the computer and show all of the License Keys for the operating system and software on the computer.

The program is Magical Jelly Bean Key Finder. https://www.magicaljellybean.com/

As always, and a good idea when doing an upgrade like this, have a backup of your

8

important data. Data being documents, photos, music, etc.

I had a Windows 7 System Repair disk and never needed. I have made a Windows 7 System Repair disk and have used it once. Create one by going to Control Panel and Choose System. Notice the option to create a System Repair Disk.

In Windows 10, it is easier to create this on a flash drive instead of a disk but this really is a personal preference.

Using a System Repair Disk is the last resort to get your computer working again and will literally erase everyone on the computer and start as if it were a brand new computer. (pause for effect here)

A System Repair Disk is rarely needed BUT, when it is needed and you don’t have it, you could have a non-working computer on your hands and must take it to a computer repair shop to have them do it and pay.

8

Windows 10 will required you to log in to your computer with an ID and Password. The ID is your email address and you create the password of your choice for this log in.

This is a security and safety requirement so choose a Local or Microsoft Account. There are methods to skip or force the computer to fill in your ID and Password and appear to skip the process. In fact, it is automating the process.

You will have the choice.

"Microsoft account" is the new name for what used to be called a "Windows Live ID." Your Microsoft account is the combination of an email address and a password that you use to sign in to services like Outlook.com, OneDrive, Windows Phone, or Xbox LIVE. If you use an email address and password to sign in to these or other services, you already have a Microsoft account—but you can also sign up for a new one at any time.

An administrator/Local account is a user account that lets you make changes that will affect other users. Administrators can change security settings, install software and

9

hardware, and access all files on the computer. Administrators can also make changes to other user accounts.

Using Microsoft Account you will be able to access all the apps and other programs that requires you to login with the Microsoft Account. You can Create multiple number of user account according to your requirements.

By the way, there are nice additions to the password technologies with Windows 10. With Windows 10, Microsoft is taking the first steps towards our post-passwords future and augmenting previous sign-in technologies— including full passwords, PINs and picture passwords— with new biometric sign-in types. Collectively called Windows Hello, these new sign-ins include facial, iris, and fingerprint scanning, and they work instantly. The bad news? You need new, compatible hardware to use this feature.

9

Support and the use of Windows Media Center is being dropped.

However, please do not confuse this with Microsoft Media Player which plays music,, movies and DVDs.

Desktop gadgets are from Windows 7 days and are those large looking icons that display the time and weather, etc.

Ahhhh, those games of old like Minesweeper, Solitaire and Hearts. These are removed but you can get Microsoft’s updated versions from the Windows Store. They are still FREE.

Windows 10 Pro has the following, mostly business or enterprise related features:Create and join a Domain or Work NetworkBitLocker file securityGroup Policy ManagementRemote DesktopHyper-V (virtualization)Assigned Access

10

Enterprise Mode Internet ExplorerWindows Store for BusinessTrusted BootWindows Update for BusinessMaximum Supported RAM of 1 Terabyte instead of 128 GB

These are way to “geeky” for you and me. (-:

10

Let ‘er go.

11

You have the option to let Windows 7 or 8 get the latest updates and you should really let it do it although it is not required.

NOTE: if you have been letting Windows update automatically, this step will start and quickly move on.

12

EULA – End User License Agreement. If you don’t agree, the upgrade will stop and exit.

The Compatibility Check will examine the PC and Operating System and share what will change as a result of the upgrade.

BE AWARE: You can make other choices on what to keep. You can keep just the data and let the programs be removed. Be careful.

13

Keep the Default or first selection.

If you choose the second option, for data will remain BUT all other programs will be ERASED.

If you choose the third option, ALL will be ERASED and you will get and brand new computer with Windows 10 but your data and old programs will be GONE.

Stay with the first option.

14

This part will take a while, likely 20 minutes to an hour or more depending on the quickness of the processor, the number of programs to remain and the amount of data to remain.

15

You can watch the meter go if you’d like.

16

No need to pause for anything special here.

Click ‘Next’ in the lower right corner.

17

18

See the Windows 10 for Beginners – Part 3 or 5 for a detailed look at all of the included apps in Windows 10.

19

You will then get a screen asking you to log in or to create a Microsoft or Local Account.

After signing in Windows 10 will begin setting things up and install the new programs.

20

This is just a message describing what is happening.

Watch a little longer please.

21

The Windows 8 Start Menu is gone.

So, here is a Windows 10 Desktop with desktop icons and Taskbar shortcuts.

The next slide will show what Windows 7 looked like before the upgrade.

22

It looks the same.

Well, the Start Button looks different.

But, it looks the same right?

23

Understand about the new Edge browser. Again, it is NOT Internet Explorer.

The Start Button looks a littler different but it is, indeed, the Start Button and acts like it too.

24

Once upgraded it is wise to check a few things.

Open File Explorer to see that your documents, photos and music are right where you left them. Start Button > All apps > File Explorer.

Set the Default Apps for you Browser, program to open PDFs, etc. Start Button > Settings > Settings > Default apps

Customize or clean-up the Start Menu and Start Screen. Delete unwanted app icons (tiles). Right click on the tile > More > Unpin from Start. This won’t delete the app, simply remove it from the Start screen.

See the other sign-in options to see if something looks easier or more optimal for your situation. Start Button > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.

25

26

Get any of the included apps updated (if there are any updates) within the Store app.

27

You can still change your mind and go back to Windows 7 or 8.1 within 30 days.

Click the link above to see the steps or go to Start Button > Settings > Update & security > Recovery. See the “Go Back” option.

28

There is a major update coming to Windows 10 near the end of July.

Lot’s of cool enhancements.

My favorite enhancements is on the Start Button. No more All apps option. The apps are right there when you click the Start Button.

29

If you have decided against Windows 10, then be proactive and stop Microsoft from automatically upgrading you without your permission.

Use either of these two safe and effective programs.

30

Upgrading to a New Operating System is a Big Deal and Should Not be Taken Lightly.

If Your Computer Works Fine, then upgrading Should be Avoided.

If the Computer is NOT working nicely, then Upgrading to Windows 10 is a good alternative.

Or get a New Computer if the problem is the machine and not the operating system and it’s apps.

31