Since the launch of Windows 10, Microsoft has developed an automatic system in place that checks for updates and installs them as soon as possible if a new version is available. In theory, this is a great idea, but it also comes with its fair share of annoyances. For example, when updating to Windows 10 from Windows 8 or 7 required you to uninstall all previous versions first before installing the new one. This was a good thing because it would ensure that your computer no longer had any older software that could bring it down one day. However, with Windows 10 upgrades automatically checking for updates and installing them whenever they’re available, users now have to take extra steps before upgrading their OS. One of the most annoying ones at that. If you plan on upgrading your computer’s operating system this month or next, we recommend taking note of these tips so you can get through the process as painlessly as possible:
Before Upgrading, Take These Steps
While Windows 10 automatically checks for updates before you upgrade, this process will stop once the new OS has been installed. This means that all updates you might have installed beforehand will also be removed. To avoid this, you’ll have to manually check for updates before replacing your current OS with Windows 10. This way, you’ll keep your system up-to-date and avoid the hassle of upgrading your OS later on. In addition, you can also take steps to ensure that your PC is compatible with Windows 10.
This will ensure that your hardware is able to run the new OS smoothly. Here are some things you can do before upgrading your computer’s operating system: – Check Your System’s Compatibility – Before upgrading, you can check if your computer is compatible with Windows 10. By doing this, you can ensure that your computer will work with the new OS. – Update Your BIOS – If you’re upgrading to a new version of Windows 10, the first thing you’ll want to do is update your computer’s BIOS to the latest version. This can ensure that your computer is able to boot up faster and make fewer errors. – Update Your Motherboard’s Drivers – While your computer’s hardware might be compatible with Windows 10, there might be outdated drivers installed on your motherboard that make it unable to run the new OS. Uninstalling outdated drivers can improve your PC’s performance and make it compatible with Windows 10.
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Keep Your OS Up-To-Date
Updates not only fix issues that might affect your computer, they also bring new features and improved performance. In other words, your computer will be able to run faster, use less power, and perform better with each new update. Hence, it’s best to always have all your installed programs and hardware up-to-date before upgrading to Windows 10. This will ensure that your computer is able to run the new OS smoothly. Here are some things you can do keep your OS up-to-date: – Check for Updates from Within Windows – If you’re using Windows 10, you don’t have to switch to the latest version of the OS to check for updates. Instead, you can check for updates from within the OS itself. – Make Sure All Your Installed Hardware Has Updates – Once you’ve checked for updates within Windows 10, you’ll want to make sure that all the programs you have installed on your computer are up-to-date as well. This includes your browsers, utilities, games, and other software. You can do this by visiting the program’s management tool or by using a third-party program.
Don’t Upgrade On a Borrowed Computer
Upgrading to a new version of Windows 10 is one thing, but doing it on your own computer is a completely different story. When you upgrade to a new version of Windows 10 on your own computer, you’ll be completely responsible for all the risks that come with it. In other words, if something goes wrong during the upgrade and your PC is “damaged” as a result, you’ll be the one who will have to fix the issue. Although you might be tempted to upgrade your friend’s computer for free, we recommend that you don’t do it. The only times you should upgrade a borrowed computer is when you have a new, clean machine and your friend is okay with that.
Install Updates and Back-Up Before an Upgrade
The moment you’re ready to upgrade from your current OS to Windows 10, make sure to follow these steps: Before upgrading, make sure that all your programs and hardware are up-to-date. This will ensure that your computer is able to run the new OS smoothly. Also, make sure that all your files, music, and photos are backed up. If something goes wrong during the upgrade and your system is “damaged,” you’ll want to be able to easily restore all your files, music, and photos to Microsoft Windows. Now that you’ve taken all the steps possible to make your upgrade as smooth as possible, it’s time to upgrade your OS. Make sure that you’re on a stable network connection and try not to interrupt the upgrade when it’s almost done.
Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise Only
If you’re upgrading from Windows 8 or 7 and your system is running one of the higher-end versions of the OS, you’ll encounter a very irritating problem. While Windows 10 upgrades all users automatically regardless of their hardware, Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise users have to manually check for updates. If you’re in one of these versions of Windows 10, when the upgrade is done, you’ll have to manually check for updates again. This can take a long time, especially if your system is low on memory and has to perform several checks. To avoid this problem, you’ll want to upgrade all other users of your computer to Windows 10 Standard or Home editions first. Once they’ve been upgraded, you can then upgrade your Pro or Enterprise edition computer to a lower-end version of Windows 10.
Windows 10 Update History
We’ve written a guide on how to check for updates in Windows 10, so if you’re looking for details on this topic, you can check that out instead of repeating it here. The good news is, that Windows 10 has come a long way since its initial launch. While there are still several annoyances associated with upgrading to Windows 10, Microsoft has steadily been improving the experience. The same applies to new versions of Windows 10 released every year. While Windows 10 is a solid OS, it’s not perfect. Thankfully, the latest update, the April 2018 Update, is a major improvement over the original version of the OS.