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The latest release of Windows 10 is called the Creators update with enhanced functionality compared to the original Windows 10 or Anniversary update.

I do NOT recommend that people update if they are using Wifi, especially laptops. There are widely reported problems with Wifi drivers not working which I also experienced last night when I updated my laptop, not only would the Wifi not work but it disabled the Ethernet port unless I disabled the Wifi device and rebooted. After a lot of messing around I have the Wifi working but can't switch over to Ethernet without upsetting the whole apple cart again.

My desktop which is connected to the router via an Ethernet cable updated fine though this is quite a long update - Microsoft say about 90 minutes, mine took over an hour. Progress percentage goes nicely until about 75% when it starts going extremely slowly. Then after the reboot there is another reboot at the 30% mark and another at 75%. Don't give up half way through, you will end up in a mess.

After updating and logging in (EDIT: may not have to log in for this section if you were logged in during the update), there are some new security preferences which I answered NO to all, beware there may be a scroll bar and more questions below the screen.

Have fun but tbh I'd hold back a while until the network problems are sorted out, there is no hurry to update. I don't know when the phased update starts, I electively forced my updates.

If you have a large number of photos on your computer, these will probably re-index after the update which may slow your computer down for quite some time. I have about 40,000 pictures and it probably took about two hours to re-index.

I'm in the windows insider program so everyday is a update day

One thing I've found out is updating over WiFi is that it resets your WiFi to public by default which is a pain in the butt, this could be a bug with the insider program but it's a two minute job to put it back to private.

It totally beats me why anyone would want Windows 10 anyway.

When you use it, you're giving Microsoft carte blanche to do anything they like to your computer without telling you. That includes listening to your microphone, logging your Cortana and web searches, rootling around in your documents and photos, watching your browser history, watching where you go on the web, logging your keystrokes, watching what applications you run, watching who you call on Skype and how long you chat for and listening to your conversation.

Yes, you can set the privacy options to reduce the invasion of your privacy but they're not located in one easy-to-find place and "magically", "accidentally" get reset after a (hidden, unannounced) update. Oops!

The Creator's Update also silently uninstalls programs that M$ doesn't like. Without informing you.

And now M$ are starting to show "messages" (=adverts) in the start menu, Explorer and Edge browser.

You'd have to be mad to use it, IMO. WIndows 10 is spyware and malware. No more, no less.

There are around 1.25 billion copies of Windows out there, what do you think Microsoft are going to do with that quantity of information to affect any individual?

Google collects much more personalised information than Windows and nearly everybody uses google.

Your ISP has access to most of the information that both Windows and google collect.

Do you keep your curtains closed or just paint your windows black

MikeT you'll love my house then, somedays all the gadgets start talking to each other, Alexa tells siri to ask Google now if Cortana can turn the Xbox on

MikeT, what do you use in preference to Windows?

Linux. This one: http://www.scientificlinux.org/

There are many versions (called "distributions" or "distros") of Linux. Mint is probably best for people who just want their PC to actually work, not spy on them, and get stuff done. https://www.linuxmint.com/

Ubuntu is another popular one. https://www.ubuntu.com/

You can try different distros until you find one you like. All at no charge.

Linux is free and will breathe new life into an ageing PC. You can dual-boot with your existing Windows if you want, choosing which OS to use when the PC starts. If you're happy with Linux, you can then delete Windows to reclaim the disk space. If not, try another distro or delete it. Your computer, your rules.

If you game, you are probably best sticking with Windows. That's all it's good for, a game launcher.

Windows 7 is ok privacy-wise, if carefully configured. I do use it. It's specifically Windows 10 I (and many others) have a problem with. Microsoft's business model changed dramatically with Windows 10 but they have kept this aspect of it quiet for obvious reasons. Office is now on a subscription (Office 365), and in time Windows 10 users will be forced onto the same pay-as-you-use model where you rent the software, rather than owning it outright. Credit card declined? No computer for you!

With versions of Windows prior to 10, YOU control and manage YOUR computer. With Windows 10, Microsoft controls and manages it and YOU are the product.

Anyone who thinks I paint my windows black and wear a tinfoil hat needs to do a little research.

Microsoft are now advising NOT to update to Creators Update until such time that they solve the numerous bugs and issue it on automatic rollout.

I have had some issues start today whereby Microsoft apps (eg Photo Viewer) don't believe I have access to my own files (eg pictures) yet 3rd party apps are quite happy with them.

I have also lost my frequent apps on the start menu which may be down to me locking down security and privacy too far.

Hey ho, same old M$. The end user is the beta tester.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/04/26/stop_downloading_win10_creators_update/

And anyone who finds MS office too expensive (and sometimes too clever by half!) should try Apache Open Office. It too is free and just as good if not better than Microsoft. Give it a try: https://www.openoffice.org/

PS And it is totally compatible with MS Office so you can open Word files with it as well as any other office applications.

No its not totally compatible with Office/Word files, that is partly why there are so many strains of Openoffice eg Libreoffice. neooffice, staroffice etc. Fortunately they are quite competitive with each other which is drving development forward.

You can open most word documents but can lose some of the formatting. Any word macros are not at all compatible.

StarOffice and OpenOffice are no longer being developed and have effectively been abandoned.

LibreOffice is the one to get. It's under active development and is included for free in practically every Linux distribution. Compatibility with M$ Office is not 100% but improving and good enough for 99% of users.

I still use Apache open office and find it compatible enough for what I do, eg word email attachments etc. Should satisfy most people's needs.