The long-awaited release of Windows 10 has finally arrived and by most accounts, it’s the operating system that Microsoft needed to deliver after the mixed reception to its predecessor Windows 8. Considering the fact that Microsoft is offering their new OS to any consumer currently using Windows 7 or 8, it’s a very tempting proposition to upgrade immediately. That being said, before diving headfirst into the next generation of Windows, you may want to consider holding off for a bit. While Windows 10 will be an essential upgrade for most users (especially if you’re rocking Windows 8), there are benefits to waiting to install it. We’ve outlined some of the best pros and cons for switiching to Windows 10 right now and the decision isn’t as simple as you may think. That being said, whichever route you take, you will have made a wise choice.

The 5 Best Reasons To Upgrade Right Now

Pro #5. Better User Interface

One of the most common complaints about Windows 8 was its tile interface, which was too much of a change from the traditional Window’s Start menu and added little benefit to the OS’s functionality. Windows 10 puts the Start menu back where it belongs and integrates the tile interface much more effectively into the overall design, resulting in a “best of both worlds” situation. However, if you’re upgrading from Windows 7, you might still have to get used to the tiles, but this is great news for Windows 8 users who have had to suffer trying to find basic programs for too long now.

Pro #4. Xbox App

Microsoft has been trying to marry its Xbox and PC gaming wings for years now and Windows 10 is their best effort yet. Thank to the Xbox App, you can link your Xbox One and PC gaming experiences more closely than ever. The app not only allows you to stream Xbox One games to your PC, but also allows you to play certain multiplayer games on PC against Xbox users. Basically, if you use your PC for a lot of gaming and own an Xbox, upgrading to Windows 10 is practically a no-brainer.

Pro #3. Enhanced Security Features

Every major OS upgrade comes with copious amounts of new security features, which is always one of the best reasons to make the switch. Windows 10 carries over Secure Boot from Windows 8, as well as a number of new security updates. Device Guard, Microsoft Passport, and Windows Hello are new additions designed to make Windows 10 the most secure version of the operating system yet. Plus, since Windows 10 is being marketed as the definitive edition of Windows, Microsoft will continue to release frequent security firmware updates to squash any exploits or issues that arise for years to come.

Pro #2. A Better Internet Browser

Internet Explorer is thankfully a thing of the past, but luckily, Microsoft has upped its browser game considerably with Edge, the successor to Project Spartan. Remarkably, Edge stands toe-to-toe with Chrome and Firefox on top of the browser pile, offering a fast, elegant design that includes handy features like Read Mode (a first for Microsoft browsers) and integration with Cortana, Microsoft’s new voice-recognition tool. It may still be too early to tell whether Edge has what it takes to become your default browser, but the fact that it’s actually worth trying out is quite the accomplishment in and of itself.

Pro #1. It’s Free

While Windows 10 brings a number of new features and improvements to the Windows platform, the single most attractive reason to upgrade is easily that price tag of $0. Microsoft made a pretty big deal over making Windows 10 free to everyone currently using Windows 7 or 8 and it’s really hard to say no to a free upgrade. Of course, the offer expires after Windows 10 hits the one year mark, but that still leaves plenty of time to make the jump.

 

The 5 Best Reasons To Wait

Con #5. Your System Might Not Run It

Most people won’t have any issues when it comes to their computer being able to run Windows 10, but the reality is that you still need to meet certain system requirements in order to run it well. While the minimum system requirements aren’t exactly taxing, even if your computer meets the requirements, it doesn’t mean you will have an optimal experience. If your machine doesn’t exceed the system requirements by a decent margin and runs well enough on your current OS, it makes a lot more sense to wait until you upgrade your computer before making the switch.

Con #4. It’s Not Totally Free

In typical fashion whenever the word ‘free’ pops up, there are some caveats. While it’s true that Microsoft is giving Windows 7 and 8 users a copy, this is because they have already bought a Windows license and there-in lies the rub. This explanation goes into better detail, but the main takeaway is that Microsoft is giving away Windows 10 to consumers in order to make money in pretty much all other avenues of its business. It’s basically a trojan horse designed to get everyone on the same platform in order to make money off of them in a myriad of other ways. Heck, even Solitaire is asking for our money now. While it’s great to be getting an upgrade without having to shell out the $100 it typically costs for a new OS, don’t believe for a second that Microsoft is giving it away out of the goodness of their hearts; they’re going to make a lot of money off you regardless.

Con #3. No More Windows Media Center

One of the strangest changes that Windows 10 makes is that it basically eliminates Windows Media Center as we know it. While this may not be an issue for some, those who use the program to access their multimedia content will have to find a new way to do so, which is a rather annoying and seemingly unnecessary change to force on consumers. Of course, this isn’t a deal-breaker by any means, as there are numerous alternatives available, but it’s still unfortunate to see a useful program bite the dust for no good reason.

Con #2. Forced Updates

Software updates are a necessary evil if you want to have the newest features, but users are typically able to opt out of updates if they so wish. Not so with Windows 10. Microsoft has enforced mandatory updates that will be installed to your system whether you like it or not. While there is nothing inherently wrong with wanting to make a program as secure and functional as possible, robbing people of choice is sure to ruffle a few feathers. As many iPhone users can attest, there comes a point in time when new firmware updates start to cause more harm to your device than good. Now, Windows 10 could very well break your computer with a new update and there’s nothing you can do or say about it because you were never given the choice in the first place.

Con #1. The Longer You Wait, The Better It Will Be

The best reason to hold off making the switch to Windows 10 is that practically every new major software release has a number of bugs and glitches at launch that can take awhile to be sorted out. If you’re already getting by fine with your current OS, why make yourself essentially a Windows 10 tester when you could just wait a few months for the major issues to be ironed out. You’ll still be able to download it for free and have peace of mind that you’re getting an OS that has proven itself on the market already. Computers already have enough annoyances as it is; there’s no point in adding more to the pile.