What You Need to Know About Windows 10

It's been more than a year since Windows 10 launched on July 29, 2015, and the latest figures from Microsoft show the software on as many as 300 million devices worldwide.

If you're wondering how or why to upgrade, check out these resources to learn more about the latest version of Windows.

Why Upgrade to Windows 10?

Keeping your systems current is usually a good idea, but check out the advice of these outlets for more to consider.

• PCMag's consumer-focused 10 Reasons to Upgrade to Windows 10 says speed, security, and other enhancements make the upgrade worth it.
• TechRadar's Should Your Business Upgrade to Windows 10? offers both pros and cons of making the move for your entire organization.
• CIO's Should You Migrate to Windows 10 in 2016? offers a similarly measured approach from a business perspective of whether or not to upgrade.
• For a dissenting opinion, InfoWorld offers 10 Reasons You Shouldn't Upgrade to Windows 10.

New Windows 10 Features

For end users, Windows 10 introduces a new Start menu, web browser, personal digital assistant, and more. For IT admins, the latest version of Windows includes features like Azure Active Directory support and Windows Update for Business. We summarized the top new features in an article.

Most recently, the Windows 10 Anniversary update added several new features to go along with the software's existing improvements over its predecessor.

How to Get Windows 10

You might have heard that Microsoft's free Windows 10 upgrade offer has ended. But upgrades are still available to qualified organizations through TechSoup.

Here's how to get it.

Put another way:

• If you've never requested Windows through TechSoup before or have requested it but no longer have active Software Assurance, don't worry. Simply request a Windows Operating System Upgrade product through TechSoup for a small admin fee. Check the system requirements to make sure the product you're upgrading from is eligible for an upgrade.
• If you have requested Windows through TechSoup and still have active Software Assurance for some of the licenses, you'll be able to download the upgrade for free. If this is the case, Windows 10 will be visible as a download when you log in to the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC). See our instructions for downloading software from the VLSC.
• If you don't have an operating system that is eligible for an upgrade license, you might be eligible to request a Windows Pro full operating system through TechSoup.
• If your hardware isn't compatible with Windows 10, it may be time to invest in more robust hardware. Browse TechSoup's extensive selection of refurbished computers. Our refurbished PCs come with Windows 10 already installed.

Windows 10 System Requirements

If you think you want to upgrade, be sure to check whether your PCs can run Windows 10. The minimum system requirements for Windows 10 are very similar to Windows 7 (very modest indeed):

• Processor: 1 GHz or faster
• RAM: 1 GB (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit)
• Free hard disk space: 16 GB (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
• Graphics card: Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver
• A Microsoft account and Internet access

See the full system requirements on Microsoft's Windows 10 Specifications page.

How to Install Windows 10

How-To-Geek's How to Install Windows 10 on Your PC is a step-by-step written tutorial on upgrading from a previous version of Windows. The tutorial goes from downloading the ISO file to doing the installation steps, with good screenshots of the process.

How-To-Geek also explains How to Clean Install Windows 10 for those who prefer to not upgrade from a previously installed version of Windows but rather to get an entirely fresh version of the operating system.

Learn to Use Windows 10

The Windows 10 beginners guide video tutorial is a 38-minute plain language video tutorial that covers how to use the primary new features of Windows 10. It covers the new Windows 10 start menu, system settings, Cortana digital assistant, and more.

Learn Windows 10 New Features, Tips, and Tricks by LearniT! Training is another comprehensive video tutorial on how to use the primary new features of Windows 10.

Microsoft's Windows 10 also has several privacy settings that are enabled by default. Learn about the default settings and how to manage your privacy settings.

Still Have Questions about Windows 10?

Microsoft's Upgrade to Windows 10 FAQ is the place to go first.

Image 1: Microsoft

Flow chart: Wes Holing