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Upgrading OS questions.
posted in Q/A Help
1
#1
0 Frags +

Microsoft is ending support for Windows 7 next week so I guess I should update to a newer OS. Ideally I'd like the transfer to go as smoothly as possible but I don't think I've ever installed windows not from a new install so there's a few things I'd like to know.

1. 8.1 or 10? I know 10 has historically caused a lot of problems wrt alt tabbing and input lag for people on some of its earlier updates, but it's going to be supported for longer and is easier to purchase.
2. Whichever OS I install, what are the things I'm going to want to disable immediately? e.g. I've heard bad things about game DVR on windows 10.
3. What stuff will definitely not be preserved on the upgrade? I've got 2 HDDs and an SSD which currently has the OS installed onto it, should I back up everything to an external drive or just to the SSDs. I'm guessing I'll probably have to reinstall some software which means I might not be able to retain licenses so I'll have to look into that also (Sony Vegas is pretty much the only thing I have that needs a license like this). Wondering if I will also have to reinstall things like motherboard drivers (I had some issues before I installed these on my current system, noticeably mouse input was absolute dogshit).

Thanks for the help.

Microsoft is ending support for Windows 7 next week so I guess I should update to a newer OS. Ideally I'd like the transfer to go as smoothly as possible but I don't think I've ever installed windows not from a new install so there's a few things I'd like to know.

1. 8.1 or 10? I know 10 has historically caused a lot of problems wrt alt tabbing and input lag for people on some of its earlier updates, but it's going to be supported for longer and is easier to purchase.
2. Whichever OS I install, what are the things I'm going to want to disable immediately? e.g. I've heard bad things about game DVR on windows 10.
3. What stuff will definitely not be preserved on the upgrade? I've got 2 HDDs and an SSD which currently has the OS installed onto it, should I back up everything to an external drive or just to the SSDs. I'm guessing I'll probably have to reinstall some software which means I might not be able to retain licenses so I'll have to look into that also (Sony Vegas is pretty much the only thing I have that needs a license like this). Wondering if I will also have to reinstall things like motherboard drivers (I had some issues before I installed these on my current system, noticeably mouse input was absolute dogshit).

Thanks for the help.
2
#2
3 Frags +

1. I'm on 10 and haven't had many issues but your call there
2. probably more, not in the know since i was on mac for a long time but uninstall the xbox game bar bloat
3. the os install drive (the ssd) will be wiped, otherwise nothing, idk about reinstalling driviers and such

1. I'm on 10 and haven't had many issues but your call there
2. probably more, not in the know since i was on mac for a long time but uninstall the xbox game bar bloat
3. the os install drive (the ssd) will be wiped, otherwise nothing, idk about reinstalling driviers and such
3
#3
0 Frags +

1. Pretty sure you can still upgrade to Windows 10 for free if you use the update assistent, you might need your old Windows 7 product key though.

1. Pretty sure you can still upgrade to Windows 10 for free if you use the update assistent, you might need your old Windows 7 product key though.
4
#4
7 Frags +
BigT1. Pretty sure you can still upgrade to Windows 10 for free if you use the update assistent, you might need your old Windows 7 product key though.

the windows 10 upgrade has and always will be buggy. You'll cause way more headaches trying to use that.

I'd recommend backing up your AppData folder and things like that. Will make it easier to restore applications to how they were before your reinstall

Also export your mumble certificate and server list

[quote=BigT]1. Pretty sure you can still upgrade to Windows 10 for free if you use the update assistent, you might need your old Windows 7 product key though.[/quote]

the windows 10 upgrade has and always will be buggy. You'll cause way more headaches trying to use that.

I'd recommend backing up your AppData folder and things like that. Will make it easier to restore applications to how they were before your reinstall

Also export your mumble certificate and server list
5
#5
2 Frags +

1. Win10 for sure.

2. There's programs like https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10 which turn off all the spyware shit with a really easy to use interface. There's more comprehensive things out there

3. No clue there. Your drivers will depend on how old your hardware is

1. Win10 for sure.

2. There's programs like https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10 which turn off all the spyware shit with a really easy to use interface. There's more comprehensive things out there

3. No clue there. Your drivers will depend on how old your hardware is
6
#6
0 Frags +

I've been stuck with win 8.1 and honestly it's not all that bad, slightly outdated compared to wind 10, but still usable.
Win 10 has more PC gaming "support" than win 8.1 as far as I've tested.

Honestly, just find an anti-bloatware program for win 10 and run it, if I find the program I used to clear out my laptop, I'll drop a link.

I don't think there's any damage that happens to your programs and licenses. Just be aware that some folders from win 7-win 8.1 are deprecated and no longer used, so you'll have to move some stuff around after the upgrade.

I've been stuck with win 8.1 and honestly it's not all that bad, slightly outdated compared to wind 10, but still usable.
Win 10 has more PC gaming "support" than win 8.1 as far as I've tested.

Honestly, just find an anti-bloatware program for win 10 and run it, if I find the program I used to clear out my laptop, I'll drop a link.

I don't think there's any damage that happens to your programs and licenses. Just be aware that some folders from win 7-win 8.1 are deprecated and no longer used, so you'll have to move some stuff around after the upgrade.
7
#7
0 Frags +

if you want win10 install it from scratch, the upgrade thing is awful and gave lots of problems last time i checked
heres some DeBloat scripts for win10
https://github.com/Sycnex/Windows10Debloater
https://github.com/W4RH4WK/Debloat-Windows-10
i also recommend wsusoffline to get updates installed way faster than with the update center. its a downloader, and you then open client.exe to install all the updates

if you want win10 install it from scratch, the upgrade thing is awful and gave lots of problems last time i checked
heres some DeBloat scripts for win10
https://github.com/Sycnex/Windows10Debloater
https://github.com/W4RH4WK/Debloat-Windows-10
i also recommend [url=http://download.wsusoffline.net/]wsusoffline[/url] to get updates installed way faster than with the update center. its a downloader, and you then open client.exe to install all the updates
8
#8
1 Frags +

I heard some stuff about Win 7 having very good optimization when it comes to games. Next best thing right now is Windows 10 1709 Update. Disable updates and stay on this version for as long as it is officially supported by Microsoft or untill something better releases.

First thing you want to do after fresh install is opening "Add or remove programms" and uninstalling OneDrive. I'm not sure if 1709 has that shit, but if it does, you def want this it uninstalled asap (I'll explain why later). Then you might want to optimize your Windows to have as little of input lag as possible. Here is a good guide about it.

During the installation you will have an option to put all of your files into a "windows.old" folder. You won't be able to use your old windows anymore but all the stuff you had should be accessible. Uninstalling OneDrive is VERY important because it was made by an absolute degenerate. At some point it thought that it should synchronize my "windows.old" folder with my current windows folder, thus destroying whatever I didn't yet move from it.
I suggest making a backup of the most important stuff just in case.

msg on steam if you have questions

I heard some stuff about Win 7 having very good optimization when it comes to games. Next best thing right now is Windows 10 1709 Update. Disable updates and stay on this version for as long as it is officially supported by Microsoft or untill something better releases.

First thing you want to do after fresh install is opening "Add or remove programms" and uninstalling OneDrive. I'm not sure if 1709 has that shit, but if it does, you def want this it uninstalled asap (I'll explain why later). Then you might want to optimize your Windows to have as little of input lag as possible. [url=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1c2-lUJq74wuYK1WrA_bIvgb89dUN0sj8-hO3vqmrau4/edit]Here[/url] is a good guide about it.

During the installation you will have an option to put all of your files into a "windows.old" folder. You won't be able to use your old windows anymore but all the stuff you had should be accessible. Uninstalling OneDrive is VERY important because it was made by an absolute degenerate. At some point it thought that it should synchronize my "windows.old" folder with my current windows folder, thus destroying whatever I didn't yet move from it.
I suggest making a backup of the most important stuff just in case.

msg on steam if you have questions
9
#9
0 Frags +

Windows 10 would be the choice for sure. If you do choose to disable automatic updates (you can do this via local group policy) make sure you routinely patch your system as its probably only a matter of time before the next horrific Microsoft vulnerability is brought to light.

Windows 10 would be the choice for sure. If you do choose to disable automatic updates (you can do this via local group policy) make sure you routinely patch your system as its probably only a matter of time before the next horrific Microsoft vulnerability is brought to light.
10
#10
2 Frags +

ive had enough with windows recently, gonna go back to linux so should be reinstalling windows in about another week following my linux install

ive had enough with windows recently, gonna go back to linux so should be reinstalling windows in about another week following my linux install
11
#11
4 Frags +

10 is a lot better than 8. Look into disabling all telemetry (that you can disable) if you care about privacy.

You should probably back up your SSD, but the non-system drives should not be affected.

Personally, I switched from win7 to Linux three years ago. First I dual booted, but nowadays I only use Linux. Would recommend it to a friend.

10 is a lot better than 8. Look into disabling all telemetry (that you [i]can[/i] disable) if you care about privacy.

You should probably back up your SSD, but the non-system drives should not be affected.

Personally, I switched from win7 to Linux three years ago. First I dual booted, but nowadays I only use Linux. Would recommend it to a friend.
12
#12
-1 Frags +

i tried to do the windows upgrade from windows 8.1 to 10 a few days ago and it was such a headache, ended up giving up because it kept giving errors and I had to do so many manual commands messing with the partitions and stuff. So I'm basically in the same boat as zesty, if I backup my appdata and important files on one of my other drives can I easily just clean install windows 10? I read that you need a windows key and the one I currently have for windows 8.1 may or may not work. Definitely don't care enough to shell out $140 to do something that should be free and buy a new license or whatever.

i tried to do the windows upgrade from windows 8.1 to 10 a few days ago and it was such a headache, ended up giving up because it kept giving errors and I had to do so many manual commands messing with the partitions and stuff. So I'm basically in the same boat as zesty, if I backup my appdata and important files on one of my other drives can I easily just clean install windows 10? I read that you need a windows key and the one I currently have for windows 8.1 may or may not work. Definitely don't care enough to shell out $140 to do something that should be free and buy a new license or whatever.
13
#13
0 Frags +

a windows 10 license is free if you're a student (or know someone who is), otherwise you can use the operating system for free. The only difference between the free version and a license is that there is a watermark in the bottom right and some customization options are locked (can't change theme or wallpapers easily).

a windows 10 license is free if you're a student (or know someone who is), otherwise you can use the operating system for free. The only difference between the free version and a license is that there is a watermark in the bottom right and some customization options are locked (can't change theme or wallpapers easily).
14
#14
0 Frags +
andrew-a windows 10 license is free if you're a student (or know someone who is), otherwise you can use the operating system for free. The only difference between the free version and a license is that there is a watermark in the bottom right and some customization options are locked (can't change theme or wallpapers easily).

1. right click on image
2. set desktop background

[quote=andrew-]a windows 10 license is free if you're a student (or know someone who is), otherwise you can use the operating system for free. The only difference between the free version and a license is that there is a watermark in the bottom right and some customization options are locked (can't change theme or wallpapers easily).[/quote]
1. right click on image
2. set desktop background
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