The Windows 10 Anniversary Update is here with its enticing new features, but if you have an older computer just hold off from updating it as yet. Reddit has been deluged with negative comments on the update after one user complained that his computer just froze after upgrading. More and more people are voicing similar experiences.
The update, the biggest since the launch of Windows 10, has an improved Start menu based on user feedback. So now you will be able to quickly find and launch your applications. Microsoft’s Edge browser comes of age with support for extensions so that you can finally throw away your Internet Explorer. And to top it all, Microsoft has done the unthinkable—it has embraced Linux. You will now be able to run Linux commands, as you have been always able to on a Mac. Cortana, the virtual assistant, will become more interactive and will be able to add appointments by reading your email and, in future, even book your flights and make hotel reservations for you.
The Windows 10 Anniversary Update began rolling out last week and it could come to your computer any day. The update is available for PCs running Windows 10 Home and Pro. The launch of the mobile version has been postponed for a while. The update is not free for everyone, users still running Windows 7 or Windows 8 will need to buy a full Windows 10 licence. If you did not upgrade by July 29 you will now have to shell out Rs 8,000 for the Home version and Rs 15,000 for the Professional one.
Going through Windows Update is by far the easiest way to install the Windows 10 Anniversary Update. Right click on the Start menu and select System. On the left pane click on About. If you are running Windows 10, version 1507 or 1511, you are eligible for the update. Again go to Start—Settings—Update & security—Windows Update then click on Check for Updates. Let Windows Update scan for the latest updates. Windows 10 Anniversary Update will be presented to you as ‘Feature update to Windows 10, version 1607’ if it is available for your computer make.
If you decide to install the update, Windows 10 will restart your computer then boot into the install environment. The Windows 10 Anniversary Update looks more like a regular Windows Update than a full operating system upgrade. Your computer will restart several times during this phase of the installation. After the set up is completed, you will be asked to log into your account. Windows 10 will then install some more updates to the OS upgrade, Windows Store updates and configure the operating system. That’s it. You are now ready to use the new version of Windows 10.
If the update is not available to you, do not get dejected. Microsoft said in a blog post that the “Windows 10 Anniversary Update is being rolled out to Windows 10 PCs across the world in phases starting with the newer machines first.” This means that the first users to get the Anniversary Update through will be those with the newest hardware, BIOS, and firmware. Those who may encounter compatibility issues because of drivers may get it slightly later through Windows Update.
If the update is not offered to you, and you can’t wait to get your hands on it, there is a way out. Go to https://support.microsoft.com /en-us/help/12387/windows-10-update-history. Click on ‘Get the Anniversary Update now’ button and follow the instructions on the screen. The Windows Upgrade Assistant will be downloaded to your computer. Run it and let it check whether your computer is compatible for the update. If yes, wait for the update to download and then click on the ‘Start the upgrade now’ button.
Should your machine freeze after the Anniversary Update, you will have to roll back to a previous version of Windows in your PC. In order to roll back to a previous Windows build, perform a hard restart of the device. These means forcefully switching off your computer using the power button and then switch it back on. Let it boot to the password entry screen. Here press and hold the shift key, and simultaneously click the power button on the bottom right of screen. Continue to hold down shift key and select Restart. Then click on Advanced Options—Rollback to previous build, then follow the steps from there.
Before upgrading, you should take some precautions. Back up your personal data and prepare a system image with the free tool Macrium Reflect. You can get the utility from www.macrium.com/ reflectfree.aspx. A system image will allow you to restore your system in case the upgrade gets stuck or the rollback option fails. If you are a little cagey about your Windows 10 updates, and you are using a Windows Professional version, you can defer the updates. Go to Start—Settings—Updates & security. Click on Windows Update on the left pane. Now click on Advanced options on the right and defer the updates. Windows 10 Home users are not allowed to defer updates.
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