How to stop upgrading to Windows 10

How to stop your business upgrading to Windows 10

Many smaller businesses don’t have enterprise versions of Windows 7 or Windows 8 installed, or lack Windows volume license agreements. This means your staff are probably using Pro versions of those operating systems, which, in turn, means they are seeing the new “get your free upgrade to Windows 10″ button. Do you really want your business getting this free-for-one-year upgrade without approval?

Depending on your office policy, you might be quite happy with knowledge workers upgrading and trying out the latest features, including Cortana voice assistant, the new Edge browser and an improved user interface. However, if your business runs some bespoke or very old applications, they might not be compatible with Windows 10, so you will want to make sure that everything works on a test system first.

Either way, depending on your company policies, you probably don’t want all staff upgrading on their own initiative. Fortunately, part of Microsoft’s June roll out of patches and bug fixes includes a way to stop them seeing this feature. You can read about the required patch and solution in Microsoft’s Knowledge Base (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3050267).

Once installed, there is a simple registry setting you need to make for each machine, or if you have network controls, you can make a group policy setting change; both are highlighted below.

To make the registry change, Set HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\OSUpgrade\ReservationsAllowed to 0

For the policy change, navigate to: Computer Configuration, Policies, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, Windows Update. Double-click on “Turn off the upgrade to the latest version of Windows through Windows Update” and adjust the option to “Enabled”. That should prevent your users seeing the Windows Update feature and prevent them accidentally or enthusiastically updating ahead of time.

While the new version of Windows 10 is pretty much compatible with everything your business now uses on Windows 7 or Windows 8, you can’t be too careful when it comes to users getting ahead of themselves. There is also the risk of the upgrade going wrong, or high demand putting their machines out of action for a long time, so be very careful what your staff are doing when it comes to July 29th.

How to stop upgrading to Windows 10

Multitasking in iOS 9 makes iPads better for business

At the recent World Wide Developer Conference, Apple showed a preview of the upcoming iOS 9 operating system for iPad and iPhone. One of the key features is split screen multi-tasking, with the Apple OS finally catching up with Android in that respect, but refining the user interface and making it more friendly for knowledge workers, high-volume communicators and users who need access to multiple sources of information.

While there was no sign of the much-rumoured larger-screen iPad Pro, this update will give users easier access to their information when it launches in autumn. Apps can be split 50%-50%, or narrow apps can take up a quarter of the screen while you work with a main app – ideal for notes or chat windows. The new iOS 9 keyboard also comes with cut, paste and other interactions on the top bar. This will make it easier for business users to work with the iPad as a utility and creation tool, rather than for content consumption and sharing.

Other features of the OS that are being improved include the pass code, which has increased to six digits for a little added security. Users can now attach documents to emails, helping to further boost business utility, while your regular contacts are now on a Proactive menu. You access this by swiping left from the home screen, and it’s context sensitive so knows who you usually talk to at that time of day, what apps you usually access and so on. This level of personalisation will make it easier to use an iPhone or an iPad without going through the apps, as most of us use apps or contacts in predictable patterns that iOS 9 will learn.

For sales types, mobile workers, or other travel heavy business people, the Proactive menu can also provide quick links to nearby essentials like petrol stations, hotels, restaurants and so on, making it a little easier to find your way around when out on a business trip. All these improvements will help nudge Apple devices a little more into the hearts of business users. Expect plenty more updates on these features as they enter beta before the launch.

Multitasking in iOS 9 makes iPads better for business

As the Windows 10 launch date is announced, what upgrade options are available?

Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 10 will launch on 29 July, as a free update to existing users. Already, an update for Windows 7 and Windows 8 allows early adopters to reserve a free copy. It will show users when the download becomes available via the free ‘Get Windows 10 App’. (http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/windows-10-upgrade?OCID=win10_null_vanity_win10upgrade). The free upgrade option is valid for one year from the launch date. Theoretically, the update will be a smooth move from the currently installed OS to Windows 10, without affecting any applications or data.

For business users, your existing copy of Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro, Windows 7 Professional or Windows 7 Ultimate will be upgraded to Windows 10 Pro. If your office has an IT support team or person, they will be able to offer advice on upgrading. If not, we can offer advice on migrating to the new OS, backing up existing data, ensuring your business IT security is sufficient and providing support beyond the update. Even though the process should run smoothly, with millions of different PCs and applications, there are bound to be a few issues.

To check if your PC is compatible, or powerful enough for Windows 10, you can use the ‘Check your PC’ option within the Upgrade Advisor section of the Get Windows 10 App. If your PC is already running Windows 7 or 8 smoothly, then it should run Windows 10 just fine, as there are no major, performance intensive updates.

Windows 10 provides business users with an easier transition from your PC to mobile device or tablet, allowing users to pick up where they left off. There is improved access to cloud apps, like Office 365 and cloud-stored data, better use of virtual desktop for busy multi-taskers and improved updates for better system and online security.

In terms of features, Windows 10 adds Cortana voice assistant and search to the desktop, which may or may not be welcome in an office environment. The new Edge browser is faster and more efficient than the retired Internet Explorer, but users can still work with Chrome or Firefox if they prefer. If you want a total system upgrade, then a whole new range of PCs and tablets will be launching, led by Microsoft’s updated Surface devices (https://oswin.com/microsoft-surface-3-and-surface-4-devices-add-to-business-choice/).

As the Windows 10 launch date is announced, what upgrade options are available?