Windows 10: Windows 10 upgrade options

I have been using Windows 7 Pro, both at work and at home, for many years. The home machines are desktop and laptop machines. Recently one laptop was replaced by another that came with Windows 10 Home pre-installed. My wife consults from home and I knew her clients were all Office users so the upgrade to W10 made sense even if the laptop (Toshiba) hadn't died.


I know that support for Windows 7 ends soon but until now I have been reluctant to upgrade to Windows 10, both for reasons of cost and unfamiliarity. However, I am able to find my way around in Windows 10 and I am looking into upgrading the other machines in anticipation of the deadline.


I have a number of questions surrounding the topic and I would like to ask the community for their advice: Apparently there is more than one release number for Windows 10. What is the current (Pro) version and how will I know my upgrade version is current? Or will it be upgraded automatically? Or is that possible?


I would like to upgrade rather than replace (clean install) the OS and thereby keep as much of the installed files and apps as possible. I can purchase an upgrade package or download the upgrade package .ISO from Microsoft, but I believe I will need a license to activate the new version. Am I correct in this understanding? Are there any "gotchas" I need to look out for?


Lastly, there is a range of prices that I have seen for the upgrade, from ~$200 OEM to <$100 for third-party resellers to a few dollars from eBay sellers (who are just furnishing an email with a key, apparently). Cost is obviously a consideration but how can I find out, in advance, before installation, that the key furnished is legit, other than paying the long dollar to the OEM?


Thanks for your replies.


-CH-

:)

 

Windows 10 Tweaks

Pressing “Windows+Pause Break” (it’s up there next to scroll lock) opens the “System” Window.

Windows 10: In the new version of Windows, Explorer has a section called Quick Access. This includes your frequent folders and recent files. Explorer defaults to opening this page when you open a new window. If you’d rather open the usual This PC, with links to your drives and library folders, follow these steps:

• Open a new Explorer window.
• Click View in the ribbon.
• Click Options.
• Under General, next to “Open File Explorer to:” choose “This PC.”
• Click OK

credit to Lifehacker.

 

Windows 10 upgrade problem, no input accepted

I really hate having to come here and ask for help, but I really am stumped. It hurts my geek pride. I have a PC with fairly modern hardware in it. It has a p8p67 pro in it. I have tried upgrading windows 10 on it twice now. Both times I have had the same result.

After windows finishes upgrading it goes to the log in/set up screen. I can't do anything. No keyboard or mouse input is accepted.

I will list some, or hopefully all, of the troubleshooting steps I have tried:

• Move keyboard and mouse to different USB ports.
• Try different keyboard or mouse.
• Restart computer, repeatedly.
• Google for related issues.
• Update Bios, because why not.
• Create boot media and revert to windows 7.

The windows 10 system restore boot media works fine with keyboard and mouse. All USB ports work in windows 7. I don't know what is wrong. I suspect that windows 10 is lacking a driver of some sort, but since the computer accepts no input I have no way of checking for which driver let alone installing it.

Please help me figure this out. If I have to revert back to windows 7 again, I am not going to get it upgraded to windows 10. Thank you in advanced.

 

Windows 10 upgrade problem, no input accepted

i've seen this when the stock USB drivers went kaput. Only ever seen it once - i used a PCI USB 2.0 card and connected the mouse and keyboard to that, and manually updated the USB 2/USB 3 drivers.