Q. Windows 10 is coming -- should I keep my 32-bit Windows 7 Home SP1 for now?

A. If your current system is meeting your needs, I suggest sticking with it until you’re ready for a new PC. Then get a 64-bit system with enough RAM to make the 64-bit architecture worthwhile. The current sweet spot seems to be 8GB, though 12GB might be useful, if you can get it for a decent price. (If, for example, you run virtual machines, the more RAM the better.)

Q. Can I restore my saved Windows 7 disk image to my new Windows 8 PC?

A. No! Here’s the problem with using a disk image between dissimilar systems: A classic (Win7-style) system image contains everything that was in the original setup — user files, installed programs, the operating system itself, the system-specific drivers, etc. Restoring a Win7 image to the new PC will completely overwrite the Win8 installation. Your new, bought-and-paid-for Win8 setup will be gone. Your old Win7 setup will be force-fitted onto the new PC.

Q. How do I keep Internet Explorer 11 from crashing so many times every day?

A. Browser problems are almost always caused by compatibility issues between the core browser and the add-ons, extensions, toolbars you've installed or the custom settings you've tweaked your browser with. The solution is to strip away all the personalized cruft and start fresh.

Q: Is Microsoft’s free PCSAFETY help line for real?

A. It’s a real Microsoft number, specifically for security-related issues. In the US and Canada, you can call 1-866-PCSAFETY (1-866-727-2338) for free help.

Q. Are my desktop.ini files really ticking time bombs or does tech support have this wrong?

A. Malware might create its own INI files; or it might modify an existing .ini file. However, even in that case, the file is a symptom and not the problem. If you suspect such a malware infection, then you need to find and correct the root cause. Run a full system scan with a reputable anti-malware app.

Q: Is Windows 10 really the end for normal computer users?

A. It’s just not reasonable to expect that old technology will be supported forever, especially when so many more-current and equally capable (or even superior) alternatives exist.

Q: What is an excellent and reasonable antivirus program for businesses to use?

A.When a PC is actively infected — or even if you merely suspect the presence of an active infection — your best bet is to use heavy-duty, self-booting, external malware-cleaning tools — preferably more than one for each suspected infection. There are many self-booting anti-malware apps offered, both free and paid.

Q. I'm done with Windows 10. How do I get back to Windows 7?

A. It’s easy to roll back a Win10 upgrade provided you do so within a month of installation. After that, it’s still possible to go back to Win7 or Win8.1, but the process requires more effort.

Q. Are cloud-linked password managers risky?

A. First, know that your passwords don't just live in the cloud. The cloud-based copies are used mainly as backups. They’re also used for synching passwords between devices, restoring lost passwords, setting up new devices, and so forth. But the cloud-based copies are not needed at all for routine operations.

Q: How do I remove Win10 from a drive I can’t boot with?

A. Boot your system from your Win7 Recovery or Repair disc and restore the last system image or backup you made before trying the upgrade. (You did make a backup, right?) Next, check with MSI and/or the OEM of your SSDs to get the latest SSD/chipset drivers — ideally, ones that are specifically stated to be Win10-compatible. 

Q: Why am I not able to download apps to my Windows 7 machine?

A. If this were a general problem with Windows 7, message boards all over the world would be lit up, with millions of users screaming about suddenly being unable to install new software. Since that’s not happening, I can only assume that the problem is with something in your specific setup. 

Q. Where is my Windows 10 update?

A. It sounds like something went wrong with your upgrade request.

On both Win7 and Win8, you can check the upgrade status in Windows Update (Control Panel/System and Security/Windows Update). It’ll be totally obvious when Win10 is ready to install.

Q. Why can't I complete my Windows 10 upgrade process?

A. That’s a Windows Update error. The default method of upgrading to Win10 relies on the standard Windows Update mechanisms.

Q. Does Windows XP software work on Windows 10?

A. There’s almost always a way to get older software to run safely inside newer Windows versions. Here are the two main methods.

The simplest way is to use Window’s built-in compatibility mode, which instructs Windows to provide the software interfaces and identifications that the old app expects. In effect, it lets Windows 7, 8, and 10 fool the software into thinking it’s running on the older Windows it requires.

In general, each version of Windows offers out-of-the-box compatibility modes for several earlier Windows versions. How far back the compatibility goes depends on when the current OS was released and whether it was a clean install or an upgrade from a previous Windows version.

Q. Can I test-drive Windows 10 on my older PC for free?

A. You should be able to get Win10 running on just about any older PC that meets the basic requirements, but for a 64-bit version of Windows — or any operating system — to fully function, the system has to be 64-bit compatible from top to bottom.

Q. Why does my Windows Live password only work part of the time?

A. Simply put, the easiest way to unravel sign-in problems is to simplify, simplify, simplify. Roll back, remove, or undo whatever non-default options and modifications you’ve implemented. Go back to using a properly working Microsoft-account sign-in.

Q. Why did upgrading to Windows 10 kill my ability to access my Office files?

A. This error isn’t limited to Windows 10; it can also happen with some Windows 7-to-Windows 8 upgrades. Typically, it’s the result of a mangled ownership security attribute for files or folders. This makes Windows treat your files as if they were being accessed by a different user!

Q. Why are my Microsoft Edge browser tabs all shutting down at once?

A. Edge definitely has some rough spots. Remember: It’s new, barely out of beta.

The “asktoclosealltabs” fix is actually meant to correct a very simple user error: mistakenly selecting the “Always close all tabs” option. 

Because that fix didn’t work for you, your problem must have a different origin.

Q. Can you upgrade an old Dell to Windows 10 if some of the drivers are incompatible?

​A. Based on the level of traffic appearing on various message boards, it appears that many Win10 upgraders are getting this error message. Apparently, some system vendors have been slow to provide the latest, Win10-compatible Broadcom drivers.

Q. Can you upgrade a computer running Windows 7 if it’ll start only in Safe Mode?

​A. If your PC is so severely out of whack that it can’t complete a standard boot, it’s likely that a direct upgrade will simply carry the current system’s problems. Upgrading might help clean things up — but it also might not; why take the chance?