How to upgrade to Windows 10

The Windows 10 upgrade has been available for almost 4 months, and some of you still don’t know how to accept the upgrade. Windows 10 is absolutely free, but only for a year. The end of 2015 is coming near, and starting in 2016, Windows 10 will cost about $100. That’s expensive. So, for those of you who haven’t upgraded quite yet, in this tutorial we will talk about how to get Windows 10 and not miss the free upgrade. This is a full version of Windows 10, not a trial that will switch back to your previous Windows version after a month or so.

Windows 10 logo

We all understand that Windows 7 is still very popular, even though Microsoft isn’t even selling it anymore. It is still in technical support, but it is a good idea to upgrade before you miss the free year of Windows 10.

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Windows 7 logo

Starting July 29th, 2015, you’d see that Windows 10 icon in the taskbar, and whenever you’d log on, a notification would pop up telling you to reserve your Windows 10 upgrade. First, click on the popup to open the Get Windows 10 app (GWX.exe). Then, click the Reserve button to reserve the upgrade, if you haven’t already. Then, click the Upgrade button after you see a popup saying that the free upgrade is ready. Windows 10 will be installed.

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Windows 8.1 logo

If you’re an 8.1 user, click the Windows icon in the taskbar (not the Start button) to open the Windows 10 setup app. (You won’t get any popups or notifications.) Then make sure you reserved the upgrade. Afterwards, click the Upgrade button and accept the UAC prompt. Windows 10 will be installed.

What was your mode of the installation? Let us know in the comments!

How to downgrade to Windows 7 from Windows 8/8.1/10

A printable version of this article is available! Click here to view it in your browser.

One of the reasons we all like Windows 7 is that it’s very stable and responsive. Another reason is that it’s pretty much eye candy.

Windows 8, on the other hand, doesn’t have as many tricks as Windows 7 did, the way to close modern apps is a mystery, and it looks quite ugly. Now, it’s good in some ways, but it didn’t quite make it when it was released in 2012. That’s why many Windows 8 users wanted to downgrade to Windows 7.

In today’s article we’re going to show you how to:

• Back up important files before downgrading
• Install Windows 7 from DVD
• Prepare all your files and apps to work with Windows 7

Things to make sure before the downgrade

• Ensure that all your apps will work with Windows 7 and make sure they’re backed up. Some apps you installed after Windows 8 or Windows 10 might be uninstalled and you’ll have to reinstall them.
• Back up important files. Some files might be in the wrong place or deleted after the rollback, and it helps if you back them up. To do this, create a backup folder for all folders and files you have in Windows 8 and 10 and move the files to the backup folder so that you still have them in Windows 7. Also, you’ll be able to start over, with help from the backed-up files. If you don’t want to keep the back-up folder after downgrading, move its contents to your main profile and then delete the folder.
• You’ll need a Windows 7 installation DVD in order to downgrade. This tutorial will show you how to install Windows 7 from the DVD, but if you have downgrade rights, follow the instructions, and it will fling you to the Windows 7 installation screen after rebooting.

How to downgrade

Now let’s get real. Once you have your files and programs backed up, and your installation DVD is ready, insert the DVD into the disc drive and restart your computer. You’re gonna want to make Windows boot from the DVD, so go to Settings > Update and Security > Advanced startup. Click the “Restart now” button and in the middle of the reboot process, you’ll see a screen. Follow the “boot from DVD” instructions and then the computer will restart.

During the reboot, the Windows 7 bootscreen will be displayed, and then the setup screen will appear. Fill out the region and language information form and click “Next”. Now click “Install now” and Windows 7 will be installed.

The computer might restart several times during installation, setup will take a very long time to complete (you won’t be able to use your computer), and you’ll still need the setup DVD so that the computer can copy Windows files from it.

Installation screenshot

After installation is completed, the computer will reboot with, still, the Windows 7 boot screen. After booting up, log on and you’ll see the old look that we all know and love.

Now that you have Windows 7, set up your files and reinstall any backed-up programs that need attention. Finally, double-check that all documents and music work on the Windows 7 applications.

Now you have Windows 7, running good and ready for future use. You can always go back to Windows 8 by getting a Windows 8 DVD and rebooting on it, or go to Windows 10 by clicking the pop-up notification that says you can upgrade to Windows 10.

Download: Windows Aero Theme

About This File

File name: Windows Aero.deskthemepack

File type: Windows Desktop Theme Pack (*.deskthemepack)

Supported with: Windows 8 and later

Download

Download from OneDrive:

Note: This file may not be compatible with some devices. For instance, this file only works with Windows 8 to Windows 10.

Where To Install

For most organization, you may want to create your own separate folder to store the file.

 

 

How to Enable Dark Theme in Windows 10

First, you’ll want to open a Personalization window through Control Panel. Then, enable a High Contrast theme.

High Contrast White

You’ll be in Color and Appearance. Now go back to the theme selection and enable the default theme.

Now go back to the Color and Appearance window you left open. It’ll glitch for the High Contrast options, so set to around here:

Click “Save changes”. The Color and Appearance window will automatically close. NOTE: It’s not perfect, and not everything will be black. For instance, mostly the text fields will be black with white text.

Finally, go to Settings > Personalization > Colors, then uncheck the box “Show color on Start, taskbar, and Action Center”.

Finished Dark theme.

Tricks

Make Notepad look like MS-DOS 7

Open Notepad and you’ll see that the background is black. Type in the following text:

Starting MS-DOS…

Now you are in MS-DOS 7.10 prompt. Type “HELP” for help.

C:\Users\>_

Now, under Format, click “Font…” and change the font to “System”.

NOTE: You can use your name if you want.

Windows Aero

Windows Aero is the graphical design of Windows Vista and Windows 7.

It’s a glass-like effect applied to windows (and taskbar in Windows 7). Not all releases of these key versions include Windows Aero, such as the Basic and Starter editions.

The Aero glass transparency, applied to the taskbar, Welcome Center, and Start menu in Windows Vista.

Aero Test in Windows 7.

Bugs

Sometimes, Windows Aero can cause performance problems and make the computer run very slowly. You can keep this from happening by turning off Windows Aero. Here’s how to do it:

1. Right-click on the desktop and click “Personalize”.
2. Scroll down and click “Windows 7 Basic”. It should now look like this: 
3. For even better performance click “Windows Classic”. It should look like this: 

Features

Aero Peek

When the “Show Desktop” button is hovered over in Windows 7, Aero Peek is activated. All open windows become simple transparent squares, not losing the glass effect.

Screenshot of Aero Peek.

3D Flip

When Ctrl+Win+Tab is pressed in Windows Vista or Windows 7, Aero Flip 3D becomes active. The desktop background becomes dark, and a great view of all open windows appear.

Aero Glass

Aero Glass is the transparent effect on window title bars in Windows Vista and 7.

Aero Glass effect on Internet Explorer, with Aero Peek behind it.

Aero Snap

Aero Snap is the ability to snap and dock windows.

Current Looks

In the Windows 8 Developer Preview, Windows Aero was simplified. The Close button was now more basic, and the shape of windows were now square.

Windows Aero, as applied to the Automation Workshop in the Windows 8 Developer Preview.

Aero in the Windows 8 Consumer Preview. Notice that there’s no Start button or Show Desktop button.

Windows 8 DP running on a multi-monitor system, using Windows Aero.

How to Have a Lucky Set of Windows 7 Themes in Windows 10

In Windows 10, there’s a new default theme with white title bars. Many people miss the older looks of Windows 7. Here’s how you can bring the back and customize them. NOTE: It’s not perfect, but it’s enough to look good.

Windows Basic

First things first, you’ll need an AeroLite base theme to edit for Windows Basic. Another way you could do this is by downloading a Windows XP theme from BelchFire.net and using it as a base.

Now you’ll want to set the color coordinates around here:

Now you’ll go to the Personalization section in the Settings app and disable “Make Start, taskbar, and Action Center transparent”. And you’re all set with a Windows Basic Theme!

Windows Classic

For the Windows Classic theme, you’ll edit a High Contrast theme. Set the color coordinates to match with this:

Change to the proper mouse pointer and you have Windows Classic enabled!

Windows Aero

Switch to the Basic theme and, in the Settings app, change the desktop background and reflect the desktop color so that it looks like this:

Windows Default

All you need to do for this one is to choose the Windows theme and make it so that it’s transparent!

See? Really nothing to it.

Start menu

In Windows terms, the Start menu is a menu that holds programs and options you may be looking for. It is simple and has quick access to make the computer easy.

The major Start menu was introduced in Windows 95.

History

Pre-origin

In Windows 3.0, the menu application known as the Program Manager was introduced. This allowed users to easily find all their programs, rather than having a DOS-like file manager and having to rummage through it for .EXE files, surrounded by others.

Program Manager in Windows for Workgroups 3.11.

However, most of this was just all programs sorted into folders. As this was a good option to have, it was just a window.

Major introduction

Microsoft simplified the Program Manager and the File Manager along the way, until major introduction of the Start menu (replacing Program Manager) and the Windows Explorer (replacing File Manager).

Start menu in Windows 95. The Start menu had a simple design, yet it was very simple based on its functionality.

Windows 98 still kept the concept of the original Start menu, except it did have a few improvements compared to Windows 95.

The Windows 98 Start menu. Notice the left rectangle now says “Windows 98” and it’s colored blue. Also notice the new logoff and Windows Update features.

Windows 2000 and ME had basically the same concept, no different from the Windows 98 Start menu.

Expansion in Windows XP

In Windows XP, the Start menu was improved to have more features and it was expanded to have two columns.

The new Start menu introduced with Windows XP. Notice that it now has two columns and an “All Programs” button.

The Start menu was now more customizable. Here’s how it differs:

Luna (default theme of Windows XP)

Classic

Royale (only available in some editions of Windows XP)

Start Search introduction

In Windows Vista, the Start menu was updated a lot in its look, but a little bit based on its functionality.

The Start menu now featured a transparent black-and-white beam on it, showing part of the desktop. It also featured the new Start Search.

Updated Start menu, now featuring a search option.

Start menu in Windows Basic visual style.

Classic view.

Standard view with All Programs menu.

This type of Start menu was also slightly updated in Windows 7, based on its look. The transparent beam was now the window color, the “Start Search” wording said “Search programs and files”, and the power options were now text buttons.

Windows 7 Start menu.

In the earliest builds of Windows 8, there was, in fact, a small Start menu, like previous versions. The left column was used for metro apps and live tiles, and the right column was no different from the previous one.

Start menu in Windows 8.

Expansion in Windows 8

Soon enough, starting with the Windows 8 Developer Preview, the Start menu wasn’t even a navigation menu anymore. Microsoft introduced the concept of the Start screen, which is basically a Metro full-screen Start menu with Live Tiles.

The Start screen didn’t go very successful in the first place, as many people and users were very frustrated with the Start screen waving the good old Start menu goodbye and then plastering it.

The infamous Start screen in Windows 8.

In Windows 8.1, the Start button returned, with no change but to lead you to the Start screen once clicked. However, there was now a new search and power option and a down button to view apps. Also, you could now make tiles not only medium or wide, but also small or large.

Updated Windows 8.1 Start screens. The one to the left was used in a preview.

 

Return of Start menu in Windows 10

In early builds of Windows 10, the Start menu made its big return with Start search. This time, though, it was a little confusing, because metro apps were now on the right column, and folders were on the left.

Build 9926 of Windows 10 introduced a new full-screen function, triggered by the Expand Start button in the top-right of the Start menu. In older builds and the official release, you actually have to go to Settings (Control Panel in oldest builds) go to Start settings, then check the box “Use Start full screen”. In Control Panel, you go to Taskbar and Navigation Properties, go to the “Start Menu” tab, and check “Use Start screen instead of Start menu”.

1st-generation Windows 10 Start menu.

2nd-generation Start menu in Windows 10, now featuring a full screen function.

The Start menu advertised with Windows 10.

The full screen function of the Start menu, introduced with Windows 10.

In the latest release, the menu now looks like this. There’s now more folders available, and a new All apps menu.

Latest Start menus, one in fullscreen mode.

Windows 98

Windows 98 is a version of Microsoft Windows, released in 1998.

.

Comparison to Windows 95

Features

• Start menu introduced
• Taskbar introduced
• File Manager renamed Windows Explorer
• Desktop icons

Features

• Personalizable taskbar icon group (known as Quick Access) introduced
• Newer desktop icons
• Channel Guide introduced
• Start menu animation introduced

Screen of death

A screen of death is a screen that appears when a computer encounters a severe crash. One of the most common is the blue screen of death, introduced with Microsoft Windows.

This type of error was never actually called a “screen of death”, mostly just an error screen. However, when it started to become more scary, it was given the nickname “screen of death”. Blue screens of death are often abbreviated “BSoD”.

Evolution

Microsoft Windows

Windows 1.0-3.0

This may link to the articles Windows 1.0, Windows 2.0, and Windows 3.0.

Windows 1.0, in fact, did have a blue screen of death. However, it wasn’t understandable and it didn’t really show any valuable features. It was just scrambled symbols and letters.

The blue screen of death as seen in Windows 1.0.

Windows 3.1, 9x, 2k

This may link to the articles Windows 3.1 and Windows 9x.

The BSoD became more simple and graphical in Windows 3.1. It gave the user a chance to recover and restart the computer.

The improved blue screen in Windows 3.1.

Diagram of this type of error screen.

Windows XP-7

The BSoD format became more resemblant to the Windows 1.0 Stop error screen, except it wasn’t exactly scrambled symbols.

Typical BSoD in Windows XP. This particular screen had many variants, based on the type of error.

This was one of the most long-lasting screens of death in Windows, as it was kept until Windows 8.

Windows 8 Beta

Starting with the developer’s preview of Windows 8, the blue screen switched to a black screen of death for a short period of time. It was kept until the final release of Windows 8.

The look of the Stop error screen in Windows 8 in beta.

Windows 8 Official Release

When Windows 8 was officially released, the blue Stop error screen was recovered. It was now slightly brighter and featured a sad emoticon, with some bigger text.

The look of the blue screen as of Windows 8.

Apple Macintosh

Macintosh 128k (System 1)-Mac OS 9.2

Attempting to turn on a Macintosh will boot it up normally (see Macintosh startup). But, if you failed it, it would display the Sad Mac screen, which looks a little bit like this:

Mac OS X 10.0-10.2

In Mac OS X 10.0-10.2, the Kernel Panic was the type of error screen displayed during an error.

Early Kernel Panic.

Mac OS X 10.2-10.3

Apple shortened kernel-panic things down to the simple in OS X 10.2 Jaguar. This is multi-language, and sometimes it displays log information.

Typical Kernel Panic in OS X 10.2.

OS X 10.3 Kernel Panic.

When OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion was released, it introduced a new kernel panic with automatic restart.

The default look of the OS X 10.8 Kernel Panic.

 

Macintosh startup

The Apple Macintosh startup sequence is what happens when you turn on or start up a Macintosh.

Sequence

Pre-Mac OS X

Origin

When you attempt to start up a Macintosh 128k, the startup chime plays while the screen is still off. Then the screen fades to gray. If a floppy disk is detected, a Happy Mac icon will appear after a few seconds.

If you wait a few seconds after seeing the Happy Mac, this dialog box will appear:

And then the Electronic Desk (desktop) appears on-screen.

However, if startup fails, you’ll see the Sad Mac screen plastering the desktop and welcome dialog. Here’s an example:

Hands-on: Have you ever booted up a Macintosh 128k? Did you see the Sad Mac icon with the error code? Post in the comments!

If there’s not a floppy disk inserted into the Macintosh, the system will still turn on, but you actually won’t see the Sad Mac crash screen. Instead you’ll get this screen:

This is most commonly known as the “Missing OS” screen, and it has nothing to do with a startup failure.

Mac OS 8 and 9

After turning on, the Macintosh will play the startup chime and display a light gray screen with a colored and updated Happy Mac symbol. Here’s what it now looks like:

The updated Happy Mac Symbol.

Then, instead of the classic welcome message, the “Welcome to Mac OS” dialog box will appear, looking a little bit like this:

Then, it will form a background and switch to say “Starting Up…”.

OS X

The startup chime plays as the screen turns to gray. After a few seconds, the Apple logo will appear.

Then a loading sign will appear, and afterwards a login screen will appear.

In previous versions of OS X, there was no login screen. Login screens for the Mac were introduced in OS X Leopard. Also, the Happy Mac icon was removed.