7 Tips to Ensure a Safe Upgrade to Windows 10

SCHAFFHAUSEN, Switzerland, JULY 29th, 2015 - Acronis®, a global leader in data protection, today introduced its seven tips for a safe Windows 10 migration, helping ensure that the upgrade can take place without any data loss. On July 29^th, Microsoft is introducing Windows 10. From this point on, Windows 7 and Windows 8 users will have the chance to upgrade to the new operating system for free.

Before upgrading, users should consider the following 7 tips to ensure a positive Windows 10 upgrade experience and to not losing any data.

1. Plan the upgrade - If there are multiple PCs in a household, users should not rush into installing Windows 10 on all machines right away. They should select one computer and upgrade it to Windows 10. This will help in learning what to do and what to avoid, and will make the upgrade process easier for other PCs.

2. Make sure the PC is suitable for the upgrade - With a recently purchased PC that runs an older version of Windows, the user can most likely keep the machine and upgrade it to Windows 10. However, if the PC is over three years old, the user should consider replacing it with a newer machine that can run Windows 10 more easily. New operating systems running on old machines can slow things down significantly. At some point, it will be running more advanced applications that require more computing power. When that happens, the hardware needs to be upgraded anyway. The user should plan ahead so the PC can run the more advanced applications, thus avoiding the need to upgrade twice.

3. Back up the old PC - Before doing an upgrade to Windows 10, all the information and applications on the original PC need to be backed up. Upgrading without backing up all of the files and the system as a whole can lead to data loss. Even Microsoft states[1], "unexpected PC crashes could damage or even delete your files, so you should back up everything" before you upgrade. Windows 10 is not a simple Windows update, but rather a clean rollout of a new system and the install process will wipe out many folders containing important files or data.

4. Use disk imaging technology for backup, not just file copy - Windows, even XP, is a complex operating system and some data lives outside of files. There are multiple data that are not been saved in a file or folder, like passwords, preferences, and everything that exists on the computer in applications. For this reason, it is useful to have a backup solution with disk imaging technology that simultaneously backs up the entire system while also backing up individual files. If the user opts for just a file backup solution, he will be unable to restore systems configurations or applications data on the new operating system.

5. Back up everything - Over time, the user may have filed documents into desktop folders, temporary files, or even the Recycle Bin. Even these forgotten folders have to be backed up, as well as any hidden partitions. Such partitions, as found on Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and IBM machines, allow to restore the computer back to its original state. So it is extremely important to back it up, too.

6. Follow the 3-2-1 backup rule -The 3-2-1 backup rule recommends that you create 3 copies of the data, store the copies on at least 2 different storage media, and to save 1 of these copies offsite.

7. Save older backups after the upgrade - Once switching over to Windows 10, users should still keep older backups of data. They may need them again if something goes wrong and they decides to go back to the older version.

With these 7 simple tips, users can be sure that the Windows 10 upgrade experience will go smoother and they can have peace of mind knowing that their entire system and data is safe.

If users want to get ready for Windows 10, Acronis has a special offer for 25% off on its leading backup solution, Acronis True Image Unlimited. Acronis True Image Unlimited protects the Windows 10 upgrade experience and if necessary, allows recovery to previous Windows Operating System easily at any time! You can find more details on the offer here: https://www.acronis.com/en-gb/promotion/win10/ . There will also be an update of Acronis True Image 2015 to provide support for Windows 10 on July 29^th.