Pros:
1. End Of Life is 2025 instead of 2023 like Windows 8.
2. DirectX 12.
I tried very hard to find a third Pro in multiple threads and there was no third pro that everyone could agree on. So there are two Pros that most people agree on:
DirectX if you even need it. And a couple of extra years of updates... but who knows what we will be using in 2025?
Cons:
1. Huge privacy issues. You can disable some but they are reset by mandatory Windows Updates which can hose many Windows 10 modifications, reseting modifications that you may make is a given with every major Windows 10 update download.
2. Unlike on Windows 8 or earlier, all updates (even optional Windows updates and [Non-windows-OS] hardware driver updates) begin installing the *moment* you check for updates without you being able to choose to only install critical Windows operating system updates only. *Everything* is installed before you even realize it's downloading and installing, because it starts the moment you simply visit the Windows 10 update page.
3. Unlike on Windows 8 or earlier, you cannot install any font under Windows 10 unless your Windows Firewall is turned ON, even if you have a better third-party Firewall running and turned Windows Firewall OFF for that reason.
4. Unlike on Windows 8 or earlier, you cannot delete $DATA hidden alternate streams on Windows 10. Files can have hidden data and Windows 10 does not want you to be able to remove hidden data if you choose.
There are pages of Cons that you can easily find on this and other forums. But they may not be relevant to the way you use your computer.
Disconnect all hard drives. Only connect an empty hard drive. Perform a Windows 10 free upgrade thereby registering your Windows 7/8 key for use on Windows 10 at any time in the future. Then format the hard drive if you don't like Windows 10 and reconnect your old hard drives and continue using Windows 7/8.
If you DO like Windows 10, then it should be a painless process to upgrade all your existing setups.
C627- Thanks so much for replying! I always look forward to your posts because they are quite detailed with things I hadn't considered.
Why is installing a FONT, requiring Windows Firewall to be on??
Yeah, I recall hearing about privacy issues, NOT a fan of that at all.
RE:
2. I didn't know NON-WINDOWS OS hardware drivers updates would occur. That's a terrible idea IMO because sometimes the latest update is NOT the greatest. I remember one time I updated a vid card drive, and I had to downgrade because it ran poorly for my uses.
3. Can one NOT check for updates in Win10? Maybe not the wisest thing regarding viruses at times, but might be worth a roll of the dice considering all of this automation.
I can't help but think this level of automation is being done to make MS's tech support workflow easier with everyone having the same computer more or less, and make it easier for the gov't IMO to spy on us.
It's NOT a benefit to me at all! I should be able to decided..damn this is terrible news. I'm glad I posted.
Seeing as it does continuous updates, I wonder what size drive I should get. The idea of losing space simply because MS implemented a stupid idea is terrible. I kept my OS drive smallish for a reason, geez.
4. Also bad news.
I had not considered using an empty HD. So basically remove/disconnect my current drives, put a bare drive into rig, install Win7 on it from my Win CD, and get the free upgrade. Nice idea.