Windows 10 Build 10586 - TH2 Release - Good to go
On Thursday Oct 5, MS released Windows 10 Build 10586. Build 10586 marks a key milestone in Windows 10 as it is the formal release of the "Threshold 2" branch of Windows 10. This branch started immediately after the formal Windows 10 release in July.
As always I installed the build on a few desktops, laptops and a tablet. As with several previous builds the update download and update process was very smooth and it installed with out errors on all platforms.
The first thing you notice with 10586 is the lack of an "Evaluation Build" moniker which just like with Build 10240 back in July indicates a release build.
In my opinion this build is what Windows 10 was intended to be. It does provide a platform that both Windows 7 or Windows 8 users can work with and the updates to the MSN and other Native OS apps provide a pretty good experience overall. It is a night and day difference when compared to 10240.
It runs well on both new and older hardware and most importantly feels like a complete OS - which I couldn't say about 10240 and several of the post 10240 builds.
There are still a few compromises with TH2. First and I think the most important is the continued support for both the new Edge browser and the previous Internet Explorer. MS has started to see it's market share in browser usage drop and in fact quite dramatically. I use Google Chrome as my browser and recommend it. Edge is just not ready.
Second I'm still experiencing a few problems with some native apps. the Maps app for example can not properly find my location. But Weather does and so does Google maps via Chrome running on the same machine.
Finally there are sill several legacy screens in the OS and you still need to go to Control Panel to do specific tasks that should be included in Settings.
If you're thinking about taking the plunge I will reiterate the same warnings I have previously...
1. Have a good backup - not only of your data but also your current OS. There are links out there that allow you to download Windows 7/8/8.1 install media - so if you don't have it - go get it. Do NOT rely on some of the Recovery DVDs that were popular with Windows 7 - in my experience they don't work well or at all. The link below by howtogeek can point you in the right direction.
http://www.howtogeek.com/186775/how-to-download-windows-7-8-and-8.1-installation-media-legally/
2. Use a 3rd party utility tool to get your existing Windows License Key if you don't have it. Below is a link for Jellybean which is one of the more popular tools.
https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/
3. Make Sure your system BIOS is at the latest version. if your system supports UEFI - make sure you have it configured correctly to support an install..
4. Check with either your PC vendor or individual component vendors and make sure they have drivers for Windows 10. You can in some cases get away with Windows 8 drivers.
On older systems you may need to upgrade items like WiFi cards, Video Cards, etc. While many of these items are inexpensive when compared to buying a new machine - you may need to go there., so be prepared.
Build a USB drive with all teh pertinate drivers you need. Also remember some proprietary features on some older systems like specialized keyboard layouts, keyboard lights, fingerprint readers etc may not be supported by your vendor.
So if those features are important to you make sure you check the vendors Windows 10 compatibility list for that device.
I would recommend uninstalling your current 3rd party Anti-Virus / Firewall / whatever. Chances are it won't work on Windows 10.
5. Download the Windows 10 ISO. Even if you do decide to take the update route from MS versus a "clean install" via DVD - just like with having ISOs of your previous OS, the same is true for Windows 10.
6. Seriously consider doing a fresh install. While Windows 10 was specifically designed to support upgrade from Windows 7 and 8, as with any OS upgrade there is always the risk that a feature, setting or app may not upgrade properly.
In fact after an upgrade Windows 10 will post file on the desktop telling you what current apps, features, etc it did not include in your upgrade. This was obviously to reduce risk - but sometimes that list can be extensive and you may notice a lot of PC vendor specific software included in that list. This is why I stress item 4 above. If you really like some specific hardware feature that is currently running on your machine and it uses a PC vendor specific driver make sure you can find the driver for it. Otherwise Windows 10 will load and run - but that feature will no longer work.
7. Finally remember - Windows 10 was primarily designed to support newer systems with SSD, 802.11ac WiFi, HD video, Touch screens, Intel Real Sense cameras etc. If your running a 5 or 6 year old system with 1GB of RAM, 1024x768 video, 5400 RPM SATA I hard drive and an older 802.11b/g Wifi Card - yes Windows 10 most likely will install and run - assuming you have performed the due diligence I described above and yes it will most likely run faster than your current OS, but your will really not be able to utilize the whole Windows 10 experience.
So now onto Redstone - the next branch of Windows 10. I expect a break here for a few weeks - but then should start seeing Redstone builds probably in early December.
As always I installed the build on a few desktops, laptops and a tablet. As with several previous builds the update download and update process was very smooth and it installed with out errors on all platforms.
The first thing you notice with 10586 is the lack of an "Evaluation Build" moniker which just like with Build 10240 back in July indicates a release build.
In my opinion this build is what Windows 10 was intended to be. It does provide a platform that both Windows 7 or Windows 8 users can work with and the updates to the MSN and other Native OS apps provide a pretty good experience overall. It is a night and day difference when compared to 10240.
It runs well on both new and older hardware and most importantly feels like a complete OS - which I couldn't say about 10240 and several of the post 10240 builds.
There are still a few compromises with TH2. First and I think the most important is the continued support for both the new Edge browser and the previous Internet Explorer. MS has started to see it's market share in browser usage drop and in fact quite dramatically. I use Google Chrome as my browser and recommend it. Edge is just not ready.
Second I'm still experiencing a few problems with some native apps. the Maps app for example can not properly find my location. But Weather does and so does Google maps via Chrome running on the same machine.
Finally there are sill several legacy screens in the OS and you still need to go to Control Panel to do specific tasks that should be included in Settings.
If you're thinking about taking the plunge I will reiterate the same warnings I have previously...
1. Have a good backup - not only of your data but also your current OS. There are links out there that allow you to download Windows 7/8/8.1 install media - so if you don't have it - go get it. Do NOT rely on some of the Recovery DVDs that were popular with Windows 7 - in my experience they don't work well or at all. The link below by howtogeek can point you in the right direction.
http://www.howtogeek.com/186775/how-to-download-windows-7-8-and-8.1-installation-media-legally/
2. Use a 3rd party utility tool to get your existing Windows License Key if you don't have it. Below is a link for Jellybean which is one of the more popular tools.
https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/
3. Make Sure your system BIOS is at the latest version. if your system supports UEFI - make sure you have it configured correctly to support an install..
4. Check with either your PC vendor or individual component vendors and make sure they have drivers for Windows 10. You can in some cases get away with Windows 8 drivers.
On older systems you may need to upgrade items like WiFi cards, Video Cards, etc. While many of these items are inexpensive when compared to buying a new machine - you may need to go there., so be prepared.
Build a USB drive with all teh pertinate drivers you need. Also remember some proprietary features on some older systems like specialized keyboard layouts, keyboard lights, fingerprint readers etc may not be supported by your vendor.
So if those features are important to you make sure you check the vendors Windows 10 compatibility list for that device.
I would recommend uninstalling your current 3rd party Anti-Virus / Firewall / whatever. Chances are it won't work on Windows 10.
5. Download the Windows 10 ISO. Even if you do decide to take the update route from MS versus a "clean install" via DVD - just like with having ISOs of your previous OS, the same is true for Windows 10.
6. Seriously consider doing a fresh install. While Windows 10 was specifically designed to support upgrade from Windows 7 and 8, as with any OS upgrade there is always the risk that a feature, setting or app may not upgrade properly.
In fact after an upgrade Windows 10 will post file on the desktop telling you what current apps, features, etc it did not include in your upgrade. This was obviously to reduce risk - but sometimes that list can be extensive and you may notice a lot of PC vendor specific software included in that list. This is why I stress item 4 above. If you really like some specific hardware feature that is currently running on your machine and it uses a PC vendor specific driver make sure you can find the driver for it. Otherwise Windows 10 will load and run - but that feature will no longer work.
7. Finally remember - Windows 10 was primarily designed to support newer systems with SSD, 802.11ac WiFi, HD video, Touch screens, Intel Real Sense cameras etc. If your running a 5 or 6 year old system with 1GB of RAM, 1024x768 video, 5400 RPM SATA I hard drive and an older 802.11b/g Wifi Card - yes Windows 10 most likely will install and run - assuming you have performed the due diligence I described above and yes it will most likely run faster than your current OS, but your will really not be able to utilize the whole Windows 10 experience.
So now onto Redstone - the next branch of Windows 10. I expect a break here for a few weeks - but then should start seeing Redstone builds probably in early December.
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