10 Quick Questions About Installing Windows 10 - And How To Block It

How much data do I need to download to setup Windows 10? Brian

The download size is dependent upon the version and is different from PC to PC. Windows 10 Home is currently around 2.6GB, but 3GB is a great round number. Updates, patches and apps will add fot it.

Time taken

How long does the upgrade take to fit? G James

It will depend on the version, the rate of the PC and, especially, the rate of the hard drive or SSD (solid state drive). It may take from 30 to 90 minutes, but typically it takes about one hour.

Saving files

When Windows 10 is installed, does it keep everything I have in Windows 7 or do I need to create a backup disk? Bryan

Almost your entire old files and downloads will always be in place, unless something goes completely wrong. For that reason, you ought to backup your files to DVD or perhaps an external USB hard disk. (You should create a backup even though you don’t turn to Windows 10.) Otherwise, see my earlier answer: How should I prepare my PC with the upgrade to Windows 10?

I said “almost all” because some Windows features is going to be removed: see Feature deprecation for detailed information. Also observe that “Windows Media Center” is often a completely different program from Windows Media Player, as well as the Media Player is just not removed. (You probably don’t determine what Windows Media Center does, and passionate about marketing . used it.)

Direct downloads

I reserved Windows 10 ages ago, and I received a message with a url to upgrade. The upgrade button does practically nothing. Where do I move from here, please? Cary

Go towards the Windows 10 Upgrade page and click on the button that claims “Download now”. It should buy some new Windows 7 to Windows 10. If not, start to see the next answer....

Direct upgrades

Can I install Windows 10 from an ISO having a Windows 7 product key? I lost Windows 7 when my harddrive failed. James

Yes, that should work. At launch, Windows 10 failed to recognise old product keys, however it does now.

You can download a “media creation tool” along with an ISO of Windows 10 and handle the installation from a DVD or USB device. Start here.

Activation keys

I got the free upgrade of Windows 10, but I didn't get an activation key. Cora

Windows 10 isn't going to use individual activation or product keys. When you install Windows 10, Microsoft makes a hash from a hardware and stores the amount online. Your PC should activate automatically if you connect towards the internet.

Try again

I installed the Windows 10 upgrade and reverted to Windows 7 after having a brief period. Can I set it up on my computer again? papawnana

When you upgraded, Microsoft stored your PC’s hash code on its activation server. You can now upgrade to Windows 10 once you like, despite if the free upgrade offer ends.

Saving emails

I upgraded earlier and all my Outlook emails were gone, so I reverted back. Now seems like to make sense to advance forward with upgrading to Windows 10. Any suggestions on storing the emails properly? Josh

You can backup your emails by picking out the Mail app’s folder and copying the contents in an external hard disk drive or USB thumb drive, then copying it back later when necessary. The folder is hidden and that means you will have to customize the View replacement for show hidden files and folders.

If research online doesn’t find Mail, you should dig for this by going for the Users folder, your user name, then Appdata etc. The full address would include some unique random names, for security, but it is going to be something like C:UsersUsernameAppdataLocalpackagesmicrosoft.WindowscommunicationsappsLocalstateIndexedLivecommrandomnamerandomnameMail

The same approach will continue to work with emails saved from the Windows Live Mail program.

Note which can be different types of email service. If you are utilizing a POP3 (Post Office Protocol) service then emails are downloaded for a PC and deleted through the server. If you are using an IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) service, the emails are retained within the server, and that means you can download them again.

Whither Vista?

I come with an HP Compaq 6720 running Windows Vista Business. Is there a free upgrade to some newer operating-system such as Windows 7 or 10 or perhaps something else? Miguel

Sorry, you can't upgrade completely from Windows Vista to Windows 10, even though you pay. You can, however, use a free alternative by means of, for instance, Linux Mint 17.3. However, Linux isn't going to run popular Windows software including Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, Apple iTunes,most games and so forth.

If you need to continue with Windows, you must upgrade to Windows 7 first, then to Windows 10 before July 29. Unfortunately, you missed the ability to buy a cheap upgrade nevertheless, you can check around for deals on Windows 7. Otherwise, see my earlier answer: When and the way should I upgrade my old Windows Vista laptop?

There isn't any guarantee that Windows 10 is fine on an old PC, so search the internet for your specific brand name to see how others have fared. A quick look suggests it is best to be OK.

Enterprise problems

I am currently running Windows 7 Enterprise and want to upgrade to Windows 10. What would become the most efficient method of doing this? Gary E

The free upgrade offer only refers to PCs running the Home and Pro editions of Windows 7/8/8.1, not the Enterprise versions, which might be only available by using a Microsoft Volume License.

You - or company that got the volume licence - should upgrade it through the Volume Licensing Service Center. You will require a valid Enterprise product key.

You can perform an upgrade but you simply can't do an in-place downgrade from an Enterprise edition to your Home or Pro version. That would require a clean installation from an ISO.

Stopping the upgrade

Bonus answer: I couldn’t locate a recent email asking this question. However, the present answer is: look for your line of text beneath the date that claims “Click here to alter upgrade schedule or cancel scheduled upgrade.” If you would like to reverse the upgrade within four weeks, visit Settings, select Update & Security, after which Recovery. Click the option which says “Go back in Windows 7” or whatever.

If you wish to block Windows 10 from being installed, download GRC’s free utility, Never10. This just isn't a program. It simply changes the settings following Microsoft’s instructions, which people either don’t find out about or can’t follow.

Have you have got another question for Jack? Email it to Ask.Jack@theguardian.com