Although new technology is usually seen as innovative and exciting, it’s not always the case when it comes to your PC.
Our computers tend to hold important documents, photos and software which we need on a daily basis and anything going wrong with running the system can cause havoc.
A lot of people who are considering an upgrade to Windows 10 aren’t sure whether or not it’s worth it, since there seem to be pros and cons from both sides.
Windows 8 gave way to Windows 10 and upgrading could either make your PC run more smoothly and be easier for you to use or it could wreck the entire machine, according to some reports.
A lot of the issues however have to do with various software manufacturers not ensuring their software is Windows 10 compatible. This isn’t Microsoft’s fault directly, but for users it can be beyond frustrating.
There are both advantages and disadvantages to a Windows 10 upgrade if your system is running Windows 10 or older right now.
Let’s take a closer look at some of these pros and cons so you can make a more informed choice.
Pros of Windows 10
Main Pros of Windows 10 are:
Better security
Windows 10 offers stronger security than other versions of Windows.
It has better mobile device management so IT companies can implement Mobile Device Management solutions faster and easier and also extend IT support’s reach wherever your tablet or laptop might be.
The authentication and defense mechanism is also better in Windows 10.
These are the points which are most talked about, so don’t assume just because someone else loves/hates this operating system, you will feel the same way.
The antivirus software that comes with Windows 10 is much better than ever before.
There are new apps making it harder for malicious parties to infect your PC.
Windows Hello, for example, lets you unlock the PC using your fingerprint, face recognition or iris scan, which is of course harder for malicious parties to crack than a password.
Windows 10 can also automatically encrypt files if it finds the PC infected with malicious software.
Also Windows Defender Antivirus is included in this OS and it’s advanced software capable of protecting your PC against digital threats.
Windows as a service
This operating system is going to be around longer than any prior versions of Windows, as Microsoft is changing how Windows is positioned in their portfolio.
The subscription model means paying a small monthly fee rather than purchasing something outright.
Microsoft might not be charging a monthly fee for this OS but they are selling quarterly or yearly Windows 10 subscriptions to allow users to enjoy new capabilities and features.
These features make it worthwhile for a lot of Windows users, as it means they’re always using the newest and best version of Windows 10.
One connected ecosystem
Windows allows users to combine a variety of apps in one place such as the Google search engine, Gmail/calendar, YouTube, and Google Play Store.
Users can enjoy a more personalized experience since all that information can be combined.
You might ask Google about an upcoming appointment, for example, and this means Microsoft can look through your calendars.
If you ask to book a flight, Google can remind you of upcoming flights.
Google’s main focus is to target ads and services better to make more money for themselves and advertising parties, but it also results in things being simplified for users, so it’s a win-win really.
Desktop and tablet mode
Because two in one devices (laptops that have removable screens) are becoming ever more popular, Windows 10 was created with this in mind.
You can shift the interface design to finger interactions by engaging the tablet mode. This also means interactions can be done with one tap and the buttons are larger.
Once you return to the dock or laptop, you can change over to desktop mode which allows keyboard and mouse interactions.
Cons of Windows 10
And here are some cons of Windows 10:
Mandatory Windows updates
Microsoft aims to push out more mandatory updates than ever before.
It’s true that patches for security and software are critical in defending your PC and data from attacks but some Microsoft updates have been known to crash or disrupt the smooth running of computers.
Microsoft does usually fix their errors promptly if they release an update too soon, but it might be better to wait a few days before installing an update in case it doesn’t work quite as planned.
Issues About Privacy
Microsoft’s Windows phone, Bing search engine and email services don’t compete with Google’s numbers but computer OS is its one big market share.
Microsoft has integrated Cortana (their answer to Apple’s Siri) as well as Edge, the new version of Internet Explorer, inside of the operating system itself.
Privacy concerns came to light when power-users as well as developers discovered that Microsoft could track users via their privacy setting options.
Microsoft claims users can disable Cortana whenever they want, even though their design is to provide you with useful information.
These settings are on by default however, meaning users might not be able to see or change them during the installation process or even know they are there.
If you’re concerned about your privacy but still want to install Windows 10, you might want to ensure you’re on top of your settings.
Lost Apps
Windows Media Center is no longer available with Windows 10 and there is no standard DVD player available after installing it either.
Windows Photo Viewer is not included with Windows 10.
There are of course substitutes that you can download and use, but it’s worth knowing what is and isn’t available before making the decision of whether to upgrade or not.
In Conclusion
The choice of whether or not to install Windows 10 is of course up to you.
There are some minor disadvantages to bear in mind before making your decision but, on the other hand, there are plenty of advantages as well, including speed, graphics and enhanced virus protection.
If your PC hardware and software is compatible, then it makes sense to upgrade to Windows 10.