You probably cleaned out unused programs and cleared the IE cache before upgrading to Windows 10. What about after you upgrade? It’s pretty much the same list! (Except that SSD’s do not require user-commanded defrags. The OS handles that automatically if the drive reports to be SSD. SSD’s are expensive and you don’t want them to get worn out.
After upgrading, the first thing you should do is to check your Anti-Malware program. It can be updated or replaced for Windows 10. You can update it or replace it for Windows 10. (At least, several times.)
Then, consider System Restore. These Windows 7 and 8 restore points will no longer be necessary. This could add another 10 to 30 GB. It’s not a one-way street. However, I like Windows 10 enough to continue down that road. However, Windows 10 has a new quirk: System Restore is disabled by default! Click on [Start], enter [System Restore], hit [Enter], click your C: drive (or where you put Windows), and click on [Configure]. You can then enable System Restore, give it drive space, and delete old Windows restore points. You can also save backups and System Images to an external drive. Before you delete restore points, you should unplug them. This is a must, especially during the initial break-in period.
The upgrade process creates a folder called Windows.old that is 10-30GB in size. It is not possible to delete it without creating errors. However, you can request disk cleanup by clicking the button for [Clean Up System Files], then the [Previous Windows Installation(s)] selection. If you do this, you will know that you have given up the 30-day rollback option. It’s unlikely that you’ll ever need more from Windows.old. There’s still a lot of SSD you can reclaim. You might want to wait a few weeks before you make this decision.
You’ve reclaimed space and done drive maintenance (all the cleanups to backup), and you know that Windows can’t find any more. Next, what? It’s the UI – User Interface.
Drag the Metro page from the Start menu to see all the tiles that Windows 8 has to offer. You can look at all the properties in the Start menu and Task Bar. There are no Internet Options to clear cache, reset security or manage Add-ins.
o No File Save – no menus! None of the menu options. Okay, that’s big.
To create a shortcut, you can’t drag URLs directly onto a folder.
o URLs cannot be dragged onto the Favorites Bar. Although it is easier to use the Favorites button, it is still a step back in usability.
o Print Preview has no custom zoom, no custom margins, no view sizing.
o Because you are willing to give up the amazing, new Reading View. It’s so good, you can have web pages without ads. It’s hard not to give it up.
Check your data folders and try all file types: pdf, jpg. bmp. mp3, wav. Check out the new programs to see if you like them and if they lack features. You might go back to Acrobat Reader or Photo Viewer (I love MS Office 2010 Picture Editor the most), Media Player, real Word, instead of Word Viewer, or any other program. Right-click on a file to open its properties. Click [Change] if you don’t like the program they created. Perhaps you want to test the new stuff out first. (Maybe not.)
Start menu will show you all your apps. You may need to upgrade some apps to Windows 10 or uninstall others. Consider running a VM = Virtual Machine if you have a critical app or device that you cannot replace. This requires i3 or higher CPU and sufficient RAM to run two OS instances.
We mentioned Device Manager earlier, to make sure your devices have the right drivers before you delete Windows.old. Some of your drivers may have been replaced. Some drivers will improve compatibility, speed, and function while others will lose device features (universal drivers now). To get your devices working again, you will need to roll back some of them from Device Manager, properties, and the device.
For any new items, take a look in Control Panel. For items that require attention, check out [Security and Maintenance]. You can find Windows 8 features such as [Storage Spaces] or [Work Folders] even if you have just upgraded from Windows 7. These utilities alone might be enough to convince you to upgrade from Windows 7!
Once you’ve completed all customizations to apps and UI, it’s time for a System Restore point, full Backup, and [Create System Image] (see Windows Backup under Control Panel). You can save a copy to an external or network drive.
Now it’s smooth cruisin’. It didn’t take too long, didn’t it? !
You can also call your Mom or Dad and take them along as you walk through the process. It’s called “Bonding Time”. They will love you for it.
Original written by Bill Sullivan, NHSoCal Technical Instructor, MTAx3, MCSA x6, MCITP x4, MCTS x5, MCSE x2, MCT and CCNA, CISSP., CASP., COWA. CompTIA x5
Join us at our Infrastructure Modernization Clinic! Register today and get more information by clicking here
More links
An Infrastructure Modernization Clinic is open to you! Are you looking to bring the cloud into a data center? Do you want to deliver applications quicker? You need to migrate from Windows Server 2003 after support ends. Learn how to expand your data center using a hybrid cloud infrastructure.