Computers with Windows 10

Frequently Asked Questions

Question:

How do I know if the new computer I configure from your website will run Windows 10?

Answer:

All of our PCs support Windows 10, until you get into our VERY high end quad CPU workstations. If you see Windows 10 as a selection under Software/OS, you’re golden.

Question:

How do I get Windows 10 on a computer that’s running Windows 7 or Windows 8?

Answer:

We created an article that walks you through your options. Please check that out here.

Question:

Will I have to install from scratch to get Windows 10?

Answer:

No. If you currently have Windows 7 or 8/8.1 you can do what is called an “in-place upgrade”. We created an article that walks you through that process and you can find it here.

Question:

If I want to do a clean install of Windows 10, how do I do that?

Answer:

Instructions for doing a clean installation of Windows 10 can be found here.

Question:

How do I know if my computer hardware is compatible with Windows 10?

Answer:

Here is a link to where you can find Microsoft’s minimum hardware requirements for Windows 10. It is also a good idea to check to see if the manufacturer of your motherboard, graphics card, etc. list Windows 10 supported drivers. If they don’t, there is a very good chance that the in-place upgrade will fail and/or that performance of those components will be diminished in a Windows 10 environment.

Question:

I heard that Windows 10 is really invasive. What about my privacy?

Answer:

Windows 10 operates much like a smartphone in that it is designed to be constantly connected to the Internet and it automatically shares usage data, usually without your consent. This, of course, means more data is being uploaded and shared with Microsoft than ever before. It is possible to limit the data shared with Microsoft, but doing so can potentially break functionality in Windows 10. To learn more about that, go here.

Question:

Will you install Windows 10 for me?

Answer:

Sure! When you purchase a new PC from us, just select Windows 10. If you’ve already purchased a computer from us, we can still help. Owners of any Puget Systems computer are eligible for our free labor services whereby we will install Windows 10 on your computer at no extra charge. Back your data up and then ship your PC to us, and we’ll take care of it.

Question:

When should I ship my PC to you in order for you to install Windows 10?

Answer:

Before sending in your computer, you must contact our support department for an upgrade number, which must be clearly written on the box. You will be responsible for any shipping costs to and from our facility, and must use the original packaging for safety. We will perform a fresh Windows 10 installation, so your hard drive will be completely erased. Back up your data before you send your machine! After installing Windows 10, we will put your computer through our full testing and benchmarking process, to make sure it is problem free and is performing as expected.

Question:

What if I’m running Windows XP or Windows Vista?

Answer:

There is not an option to do an in-place upgrade from either of those operating systems and a clean install will be necessary. Furthermore, Windows 10 includes features that are best experienced on modern hardware and running it on a PC older than five years is simply asking for trouble.

However, if you’re still willing to tempt fate, Windows 10 is on sale at local and online retailers at the price of $119 for Windows 10 Home or $199 for Windows 10 Pro and you may attempt the upgrade at your own risk!

On the other hand, If you would like to discuss purchasing a newer Windows 10 compatible system, we would be more than happy to discuss your options. Contact us today!

Question:

Can I dual-boot Windows 7 or Windows 8 alongside Windows 10?

Answer:

Yes, but we don’t recommend it. Dual-boot sounds great in concept, but in reality, our tech support department is constantly battling problems users have with implementation.

Question:

Is Windows 10 better than Windows 7?

Answer:

Yes, we’ve tried it, and we think so! We believe Windows 10 combines the best features of Windows 7 and Windows 8 into a fast, modern, easy-to-use OS. Desktop users will be happy to know that Windows 10 embraces the desktop with awesome features such as desktop notifications, virtual desktops and a new, customizable START menu.

Question:

If Windows 10 is so great, why shouldn’t everyone upgrade to it?

Answer:

While we believe most users will be happy with Windows 10, there are a few reasons not to upgrade. For example, if you’re using Windows Media Center, that feature has been removed from Windows 10. See this article for a list of other changes.The other reason not to upgrade is for stability. Windows 10 is looking very good, but no matter how you slice it, it is still a fairly new operating system. If you don’t have any time or patience for issues to be worked out, you may be better off sticking with Windows 7 or 8 for the time being. Microsoft has stated that they will support both of those operating systems until 2020!

Question:

What if I install or upgrade to Windows 10 and don’t like it?

Answer:

If you want to go back to your original OS, you can just use the system restore disk or restore USB that we shipped with your system to return your PC to exactly as you received it out of the box. Note, that will also erase your files and documents, so backup first!

Instruction for performing a system restore using the restore disk can be found here.

Instructions for performing a system restore using the restore USB can be found here.

Question:

Where can I get useful tips and tricks on Windows 10 and be part of the Windows community?

Answer:

You can learn about various apps and features and join the conversation at Windows Community by going here: https://community.windows.com

Would you like to add a question/answer to this page?

Simply email us at [email protected] with your question. We’ll answer it, and add new frequently asked questions to this page.

Additional Windows 10 Resources