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How to fix Windows Update in Windows 10 if it becomes stuck

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How to fix Windows Update in Windows 10 if it becomes stuck

Should I upgrade to Windows 10?

Like previous versions of Windows, Microsoft has made Windows 10 is available in both 32-bit and 64-bit Home and Pro editions, alongside packages for education, enterprise and industry.

But Windows 10 is about more than a single piece of software. It represents a transformation of Microsoft from a PC software company with a small smartphone division into a grand unified platform, spanning mobile devices and servers. It will also soon take in consumer devices such as wearables and the Xbox One, as well as interesting one-offs such as the Surface Hub – a whiteboard-sized conferencing system and display – and the HoloLens, Microsoft’s forthcoming augmented-reality headset.

It’s all underpinned by the idea of Universal apps: touch-friendly, mobile-style applications that run on Windows 10 devices. Fundamentally, it’s an evolution of the Windows 8 app concept, but we’ve come a long way since then.

The old Metro app platform (later renamed Modern) was clunky and ill-suited to desktop and laptop PCs. It made more sense on tablets, but Microsoft was pushing Windows RT and consumers were reluctant to buy in. They were wise to stay away: Windows RT has proved to be an evolutionary dead end. Windows RT devices are incapable of being upgraded to Windows 10, although Microsoft says that future releases of RT will see at least some of Windows 10’s features being brought to the platform.

Windows Phone, meanwhile, despite sharing design cues with Metro, was a different platform with a separate app framework. The Windows Store initially bombed, setting back Microsoft’s dreams of emulating Apple’s success in the emerging tablet-friendly world.

Universal apps make the idea work at last. In Windows 10, it’s possible to open a Universal app on your desktop PC, then grab an Atom-powered Windows 10 tablet and carry on working with the same app – in full-screen mode with touch controls. It will even be possible to run the same software on your Lumia phone once the Windows 10 Mobile update arrives (probably in early 2016).

Ready to rumble

We’re not just talking about games here. Microsoft has already unveiled Universal ports of Office, and it’s making a strong case for businesses to adopt the platform for internal projects. It has unveiled new SDKs that allow established developers to import Android and iOS apps into Visual Studio and adapt them to the Universal app framework.

Updated design guidelines mean Universal apps should be more attractive and usable than their forebears.

Updated design guidelines mean Universal apps should be more attractive and usable than their forebears. Where Windows 8 emphasised big text and white space, Windows 10 allows apps to be laid out more like web pages, with a greater use of links and scroll bars, and no more need for “edge-swipes”. And the fact that Universal apps can be run in both desktop and fullscreen modes, depending on your device and preference, should also encourage faster take-up.

Another form of Universal app will be the hosted web app. Like Chrome apps, these are fundamentally HTML 5 applications that can be downloaded and stored locally on your device, meaning you can use them offline.

A developing story

How this plays out in the real world depends on third-party support, of course, which has so far been the Achilles’ heel of the Windows Store. But the proposition will be far more attractive to developers than it was when the Store launched three years ago.

Microsoft is promising a wide range of payment options for the Windows 10 Store, including the ability to sell recurrent subscriptions to services. Developers can choose whether customers will be allowed to buy an app once and run it on all their devices, or whether separate platforms must be paid for individually.

And, thanks to Microsoft’s generous upgrade terms, Windows 10 will be a huge market, with the company aiming for a billion installations by 2017. In short, this time Microsoft has got the ingredients right.

How to download Windows 10

Windows 10 is the latest version of Windows and easily one of the best. This time round, Windows 10 adds an all-new UI, more intuitive operation and cutting-edge features such as Cortana – and all of those changes make Windows 10 a worthy competitor to Apple’s OS X. But it gets better. Windows 10 is free to download for anyone running most versions of Windows 7 or Windows 8 – until 29 July 2016. You have four months to download Windows 10, so hurry up!

So, are you ready to download Windows 10, Microsoft’s most impressive operating system? If the answer is yes, read on to find out everything you need to know.

How to download Windows 10: Which operating systems get a free upgrade?

Microsoft’s free upgrade program excludes the following operating systems:

If you’re running a version of Windows older than Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, you’ll need to pay for Windows 10. The Home version of the software costs £99, while the Pro version of the software is priced at £189.

How to download Windows 10: Is my computer fast enough?

Windows 10’s requirements are similar to those of Windows 7 and 8.1, so it’s likely your computer will be compatible. In our experience, lower-powered devices – particularly those with Atom processors – run slightly more smoothly with Windows 10 installed. However, it’s worth making sure your computer has around 20GB of free disk space – the maximum space required by Windows 10.

Before purchasing Windows 10 for a new computer, it’s important to check your machine meets the new OS’s system requirements. If your computer doesn’t meet the minimum specs below, you will need to upgrade your machine – or buy a whole new one – to use Windows 10.

How to download Windows 10: What’s new in Windows 10?

Windows 10 is a dramatic upgrade. The grand aim is to unite all your Microsoft devices, and offer a far more seamless, intuitive user experience. And yes, the Start menu is back where it belongs.

In all honesty, Windows 10 won’t be an essential upgrade for every desktop PC user, but it makes a huge difference for tablets and hybrid devices. We’ve installed it on a variety of 2-in-1 devices, and it’s clear that Windows 10 is a huge leap forward for usability, not least as it flits automatically from laptop to tablet modes in the blink of an eye. All things told, it finally makes for a pretty decent tablet operating system.

There are other changes, too. Microsoft has jettisoned Internet Explorer and replaced it with the stripped-down, super-fast Microsoft Edge, and Cortana, Microsoft’s Siri-equivalent, is now an integral part of Windows 10. Another big change is that the new OS is being rolled out across Xbox, PCs, tablets and smartphones.

Despite the naysayers, Windows 10 seems to be proving popular with users too: Microsoft claims the software is now installed on over 200 million devices.

How to get Windows 10 now (or stop it from downloading)

Downloading Windows 10 is easy. Simply head over here to download the OS, and if you need to you can also copy it to a USB thumb drive or DVD. This has the benefit of allowing you to use it to perform a completely clean installation, or install Windows 10 on multiple computers.

First things first, though, make sure that you’ve made a note of your existing Windows 7 or Windows 8 serial key. Without it, you’ll be stuck.

And as with any major upgrade, update or system setting change, it’s also best to back up your data before proceeding. We’ve seen a handful of machines get stuck in a loop of crashing and restarting, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you can be bothered, we’d make a clone of your existing hard disk onto a secondary or external drive – that way you can always go back to a working system if things go horribly, horribly wrong.

What if you really, really DON’T want Windows 10?

Some people have reported that Windows Update has been downloading the Windows 10 update automatically. That doesn’t mean that you’ll come back to find that your machine has been upgraded overnight, but if you don’t want your machine downloading the 3GB update – and definitely don’t want to run the risk of clicking the Upgrade Now button by accident, then you can use the below registry tweak to block it.

How to stop Windows 10 downloading: Blocking the file download

  1. The initial instructions are depending on which version of Windows you’re using, but the method is essentially the same. In Windows 8 and 8.1, type “regedit” into the search box. In Windows 7, tap the Start button, click Run, and type in “regedit”. (TOP TIP: Alternatively you can simply hold Windows key + R to bring up the Run window)

  1. Now that the Registry Editor is open, you can check the key that records whether your system is ready to download Windows 10. You’ll find it at: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / SOFTWARE / Microsoft / Windows / CurrentVersion / WindowsUpdate / OSUpgrade
  2. Once you’ve navigated to the right key, you’ll need to add a value that tells the system you don’t want to download Windows 10. To do this, right-click on the key name, select the New submenu and then select DWORD (32-bit) Value. You’ll see that a new value is created called “New Value #1”. Rename it “AllowOSUpgrade”.

  1. The last step in Registry Editor is to make sure that the OS Upgrade feature is turned off. To do this, double-click the file and check that the value is “0”, making sure that the hexadecimal box is checked. To complete the process, refresh the page and then close regedit.

  1. Now you should be able to use Windows Update without having to check whether the Windows 10 Upgrade has sneaked into the Optional upgrade list and ticked itself for download. Result!

 

How to put Windows 10 on a compact disc

Windows 10 is the best operating system Microsoft has ever made. Featuring improvements in compatibility, performance and the ridiculously fast Microsoft Edge, it’s little wonder the OS got 5/5 in @jon1bray’s review.

If you’re on one of the 18.5 million machines already running Windows 10, then head over to Alphr’s recommendation of the best apps and software for the operating system. But if you’re still left waiting for your upgrade to Windows 10, read on. This guide will show you how to skip past the upgrade queue and download Windows 10 now.

How to download Windows 10 now on ISO disc

  1. For this process you’ll need:

  1. When your data is safe, visit the Windows 10 download page to download your chosen version of the software. Before downloading, it’s important to check your machine meets the minimum system requirements of Windows 10 (below). If it doesn’t, you’ll either have to upgrade your existing machine or buy a new one.
  1. The website lets you choose between four different version of Windows 10. If your computer meets all the system requirements, pick Windows 10, avoiding Windows 10 N and Windows 10 KN versions. These are the result of a 2004 European Commission ruling relating to uncompetitive practices, and exclude key, bundled components of the operating system such as Windows Media Player. For the full experience, make sure you download “Windows 10”.

  1. After selecting your language, you must choose between a 32- or 64-bit version of the software. If you’re not sure which version to download, check Microsoft’s FAQ.
  2. Microsoft then gives you the option to save to your current PC, or a bootable media drive such as a DVD or a USB stick. We’d recommend doing the latter, as it will enable you to install Windows 10 on separate machines.

  1. After downloading the ISO file to a your USB or DVD, installation is simple. Just insert the device with the installation file copied, double-click the contained software and follow the instructions.

  1. After putting in an eligible serial number, you’ll be given the option of upgrading or overwriting your current Windows installation. Complete the process by selecting which partition of the hard disk drive you’d like to use. You’ve just jumped the queue to download Windows 10. Simpy repeat the installation process on as many PCs as you need to.

Here’s a guide on how to use Windows 10’s own personal assistant, Cortana

If you have Window 10 installed, you’ll no doubt notice the presence of Microsoft’s voice-controlled personal assistant. Cortana is capable of writing emails, setting reminders, searching for apps and performing web searches. As long as you’re happy for Microsoft to pick up your internet habits, it can be a very useful tool. Here’s how to set up and use Cortana on Windows 10 in the UK.

Windows 10 should take you through the setup process when you open Cortana for the first time. However, if it doesn’t, then here’s how you can get started with Microsoft’s personal assistant.

How to use Cortana on Windows 10: Check your language settings

  1. Some UK users are experiencing issues getting Cortana to work. This could be a problem with speech settings. Before you start to set up Microsoft’s digital assistant, make sure the language settings are set to UK.
  2. To check your language settings, search for Region and Language. Here you’ll have an option for Country or Region. Make sure this is set to United Kingdom. Below you’ll find an option for Languages.
  3. If English (United Kingdom) isn’t there, you’ll need to add it as a language option. To do this, click on Add a language, then find English (United Kingdom) and select the download Language Pack and Speech options.
  4. With the UK language pack installed, you’ll need to select the Speech tab in the Time & Language settings panel. Here you’ll be able to choose the Speech Language used by your PC. Make sure it is set to English (United Kingdom).

How to use Cortana on Windows 10: Setting up Cortana

  1. The first time you use the search box you should be faced with an option to turn Cortana on. If you aren’t type Cortana into the search box and click “I’m in”. After you’ve opened the option to turn Cortana on, you’ll be faced with information about the data Cortana will collect. If you’re not comfortable with Microsoft collecting information on your browsing history and location history, you have the option to cancel.
  2. Cortana will ask for your name and give you the option to add interests.
  3. If you click the microphone icon in the search bar, it will bring up a brief microphone calibration.

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  1. After you’ve set up the microphone, Cortana is ready to use. But if you’d like to change Cortana’s settings, type Cortana into the search bar and click the first option, “Cortana & Search settings”.

How to get Cortana to respond to “Hey Cortana” in Windows 10

  1. Open Cortana and search “Cortana settings” to navigate to the Settings menu. Now click the top result.

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  1. Once you’re in the Settings menu, flick the switch underneath the heading: “Let Cortana respond when you say ‘Hey Cortana’”. Here you’ll also be able to turn Cortana on and off.

How to get Cortana to display tracking information in Windows 10

  1. If you want Cortana to display tracking information for your flights and deliveries, start by searching for “Cortana Settings” and click the top result.
  2. Scroll down and flick the switch under the “Find flights and more” header. Here you’ll also find an option for Cortana to give greetings from time to time, as well as a range of privacy settings.

cortana4.png

How to get Cortana to understand non-native speech patterns in Windows 10

If English isn’t your first language, Cortana has an option to help it understand non-native speech patterns. Here’s how to turn this on:

  1. Press the Windows key and type “Speech”, then select the Speech Settings option.
  2. From here, just tick the box titled “Use speech patterns for non-native speakers of this language”.

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