10 Reviews of Windows 10: Yes You Should Upgrade, But Not Just Yet

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After several announcement parties and almost a year of waiting, Microsoft’s Windows 10 operating system is finally available to PC owners Wednesday.

Now the question is whether you should install it or not.

Tech pundits who were given early access to the software have released opinions and recommendations in concert with the launch of the successor to the much-maligned Windows 8. And don’t worry, from everything we’ve read so far, the masses agree that this version of Windows is definitely no Windows 8 repeat.

(You can read our own David Pogue’s full thoughts on Windows 10 here.)

The group verdict for Microsoft’s redemptive Windows release seems to be an optimistic “hooray!” followed by an appended prescription to hold off on upgrading a few months in order to avoid early bugs.

Here are 10 of the most helpful takes on Windows 10:

Windows 10

It’s easy to recommend Windows 10 as an upgrade for anyone on Windows 7 and Windows 8, but maybe not just yet…

Everything about Windows 10 feels like a new approach for Microsoft, and I’m confident these early bugs and issues will be addressed fairly quickly. I’m hoping and expecting that as we approach the holiday season, we’ll see a more finished Windows 10. If you can deal with a few oddities here and there and you’re frustrated with Windows 8, then by all means upgrade now. But if you depend on your Windows computer on a daily basis and it’s working fine for you, you should hold off until everything is a little more polished.

Tom Warren, The Verge

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(The Verge)

Windows 10 is the ideal next step for Microsoft, bringing together the best elements of Windows 7 and 8. With new features like Cortana and Edge, extensive desktop interface refinements and Microsoft’s free upgrade offer, it’s a must-have for anyone who uses Windows.

– Devindra Hardawar, Engadget

You should upgrade to Windows 10. If you’re using Windows 8, 7, XP, ME, or 3.1, you should upgrade. Maybe wait a couple of weeks for the biggest bugs to be squashed, but do it. Why wouldn’t you? It’s free, it’s easy, and it’s a huge improvement on whatever version you’re using.

David Pierce, Wired

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(Wired)

Windows is actually useful again—assuming you still rely on a PC…

Alas, Windows 10 also misses opportunities to tip things in its favor. Its idea of Internet savvy is shoehorning in lots of new ways to get you to use Bing, Microsoft’s unpopular search engine.

But at least this time, Microsoft doesn’t let its existential crisis get in the way of important improvements. Three months of testing Windows 10 determined that this familiar yet fresh overhaul far outweighs any problems.

– Geoffrey A. Fowler, The Wall Street Journal

I regard Windows 10 as a solid, evolutionary operating system that’s likely to be a good bet for people who like Windows. But don’t upgrade until more of the bugs have been worked out.

Walt Mossberg, Re/code

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(Re/code)

If you’re running Windows 7 or Windows 8 you’ve little to lose, and quite a bit to gain, by making the jump to Windows 10. If you’re still on Windows XP, you’ve probably got your reasons. But Windows 10 marks the first steps in a transition from operating system to ecosystem, a wild dream that gets a little less crazy every time I ask my PC a question, or pop the keyboard of my laptop to get some reading done. This is Microsoft’s second attempt at bringing us the future, and this time they’re getting it right.

Nate Ralph, CNET

My strong recommendation is for Windows users to take advantage of this free upgrade; there’s a lot to gain in features and performance, and really nothing to lose. True, it’s only starting out, so there will probably be hiccups for particular use cases and there are still features that need polish, but we’ve been running the release version on several machines for a couple weeks, and it’s been rock solid.

Michael Muchmore, PC Magazine

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(Ars Technica)

[Windows 10 is] buggier than Windows 8.1, 8, 7, or Vista were on their respective launch days.

…I think almost everyone upgrading from both Windows 7 and Windows 8 will be upgrading to a better operating system that is less annoying and more effective. I think that everyone who is eligible to upgrade should do so; I can see little reason to stick with those older operating systems unless one has very specific compatibility or regulatory concerns…

But I’d also wait a few weeks, maybe even a couple of months, before making the move.

– Peter Bright, Ars Technica

Windows 10 has a lot of cool features but in general there’s little that’s not already available elsewhere. I’m not counting out Windows 10, it has several cards up its sleeve that could stand it in good stead. For one, it will continue to get better as Microsoft pumps out a steady stream of new features via regular Windows Updates. More importantly, Windows 10 promises to allow users to swap between tablet and PC and continue using the same apps without pause. Providing Microsoft can improve the quality of its Windows universal apps it could capitalise on the ongoing shift to hybrid tablet/laptop PCs.

Nick Heath, TechRepublic

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(The Verge)

You really are going to love Windows 10. You’ll almost certainly want to upgrade your computers to it, especially since it’s free.

But you might not want to do that tomorrow. I’d suggest you wait six weeks. By then, Microsoft will have swatted most of the bugs, and many of your favorite software companies will have released Windows 10-compatible versions.

If you’re a PC veteran, then you’ll recognize Windows 10: It’s pretty much Windows 7, with Cortana, nicer typography, and a few new features.

And if you’re relatively new to all this, then kneel beside your bed tonight—and thank the OS gods you were spared the emotional whiplash of living through Microsoft’s three-year lapse in sanity.

David Pogue, Yahoo Tech

Email me at danbean@yahoo-inc.com. Follow me on Twitter at danielwbean.

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