# Windows 10 tips, tricks and 2016 advice (Free upgrade deadline is July 29, 2016) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 29, 2016, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10-tips-tricks-and-2016-advice-free-upgrade-deadline-is-july-29-2016/756025 "2016-05-29T19:24:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2016, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10-tips-tricks-and-2016-advice-free-upgrade-deadline-is-july-29-2016/756025/1 "2016-05-29T19:24:53Z")
The deadline for the Windows 10 free upgrade is on July 29, 2016, which isn’t too far off. I recommend an upgrade for all users of Windows 8.0 or 8.1. Remember to backup your files: an image backup would be prudent as well. I use Syncback to incrementally backup my files every evening. Macrium is a popular disk image program; I use Paragon Disk Manager. (Yes, I tend to pay for my backup programs.) I just upgraded a couple of weeks ago. Advice on configuration would be helpful. What’s a good checklist for getting my specs right\*\*?\*\* With Win 8.1, I worked through [Windows 8.1: The Missing Manual](http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920030874.do), which was helpful. For Win 10, I chose [Windows 10 in Depth](http://www.quepublishing.com/store/windows-10-in-depth-includes-content-update-program-9780789754745) which is ok I guess. I am an intermediate user. Arguably, both purchases were unnecessary, but I like to have a manual in hand. Configuration topics include the following: Should I delete most of the tiles in the Start menu? Should I keep Cortana turned off? Add your own! Windows 10 for the home has forced automatic updates. I anticipate that this will be a problem for users after July 29. At that point I very well might spring for the upgrade. Or not. Should Win 7 users upgrade to Windows 10? Windows 7 first became available in Oct 2009; it has half of the desktop market. Extended support ends Jan 2020. (Maybe you should put those thoughts here: Jan 2016: Should I upgrade to Windows 10? We are currently runing 7 and are happy. [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=19270007](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=19270007) ) \*\*Other Past Win 10 threads: \*\* June 2015: The Windows 10 free upgrade thread [The Windows 10 free upgrade thread - Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=758290) May 2016: How do I stop the Windows 10 upgrade. [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=19363943](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=19363943) Oct 2015: Unimpressed with Windows 10 > **[unimpressed with windows 10](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=772387)** > > I just got windows 10 and, so far, I’m not impressed with it. Some of the games that worked with windows 7 do not work with windows 10. It’s different, but not better, for me. I’m going to hang on to it and see what it’s all about, but I was... July 2015: Windows 10 Shares Your WiFi Passwords with your Contacts [Not as bad as it sounded I see -mfm] > **[Windows 10 Shares Your WiFi Passwords With Your Contacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=763770)** > > I thought about posting this in GD to debate whether or not this is a good idea, but I can’t see anyone here arguing in favor of this. Am I wrong? The thinking apparently is that it’s safer than giving your friends your WiFi password when they come...