Windows 10: Buying instead of the Free Upgrade of Win10

Once again, you can't think about updates like you have in the past. You can't be concerned that Windows Updates will break your system, so you need the ability to pick and choose which updates you want.

The new servicing model means that you can choose to be on fast or slow rings, or long term servicing rings. If you choose to be on the Fast ring, you're living on the edge, and an update could break your system. But if you are concerned about that, then you move to the slow ring in which case updates are only issued after they have been thoroughly vetted by the fast ring. The odds of an update breaking the slow ring will be very small, if ever.

The Long Term servicing will only get Security Updates, not feature updates.

Because of this, there is no reason to pick and choose updates, at least as far as security and features go.

The only kink here is device drivers. Often times people want to run very specific versions of device drivers for various reasons. My understanding is that Microsoft will be separating drivers from other updates and allow you to turn driver updates on and off separately.

 

It looks that way to me also, because the choice for updating drivers, has been moved from Advanced System Settings, to the Settings app as of 10130.

 

I totally agree. Forced updates would be a deal breaker for me. W8.1 Pro works just fine for my needs and it will be supported for a long time yet, so there is no need to upgrade to W10 immediately.

 

Mystere:

Regarding the 3 rings:

To which of those 3 rings does a garden variety stand-alone 10 Home user have access?

To which of those 3 rings does a garden variety stand-alone 10 Pro user have access?

I've never even installed the Tech Preview.

Yes--drivers is my primary concern. I got into a considerable jam a couple of years back regarding a video driver that I would not have accepted had I known the result. I wouldn't want to be forced into that on Windows 10, any version or circumstances.

 

We don't yet know which rings Home users will have access to. However, it's a good bet that Slow will be the default if they have access to more than one.

 

Aye aye.

Does the same answer apply to Pro in a non-corporate home environment?

That's the key sticking point to me right now. That and the details of licensing, which is slowly trickling out.

 

I didn't consider the "Ring Choice" in my last post. That makes it more bearable.

 

Well, I have noticed a checkbox in the Windows Update section for the Pro version that says "Delay Upgrades". Not sure what that does, as the help file isn't written yet. It's a good bet that Pro will have more options. Microsoft has mentioned a possible 4 rings, plus multiple servicing models (for instance, one which does not allow any updates to be applied, apparently).

 

I will definitely upgrade on the laptop and have already reserved, its an OEM version. The desktop (retail) I shall wait to decide when we know more details regarding clean installs and new hardware. I'm in no rush. I love W8.1 and its running perfectly.

 

I see that too. I clicked Learn More but nothing happens?