Thurrott.com Top Ten Posts of 2015

Freed from bonds of 15 years of archival data, I was curious to see what the top most-read posts on this new site would be. So here they are, the top ten posts on Thurrott.com from 2015.

The key takeaway? Most of them are about—shocker—Windows 10. Here’s the top 10, in reverse order:

10. Windows 10 Tip: Customize and Configure the Taskbar

The taskbar has been a core part of the Windows user experience since 1995, and the version in Windows 10 builds of those from previous versions while adding some unique new features of its own. Here’s what you need to know about the Windows 10 taskbar, and how you can configure it to work more like the version in Windows 7 or 8.1.

9. A Few More Answers About Windows 10 Upgrades

Like many of you, I have questions about how the Windows 10 upgrade will work, especially for people who want to perform a clean install of the operating system. And while I don’t have all of the answers yet, I do have some information that you will find useful.

8. Windows 10 Upgrade Matrix: Which Version You Get For Free

Several hundred million people could opt for Microsoft’s free upgrade offer during the first year of Windows 10’s availability, and many are probably wondering which version of Windows 10 they’ll get. Well, wonder no more!

7. Microsoft Will Now Let Windows 10 Upgraders Use Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 Product Key to Activate

Today, Microsoft has released a new Windows 10 build for Windows Insiders, and Brad has a full write-up about what’s new. But what I’m particularly excited about is a major change to product activation: With this build, Microsoft will now let customers enter a Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 product key to activate Windows 10.

6. Microsoft Band 2 Review

We are awash in wearables these days, but most of them seem to serve little purpose beyond being or copying an Apple product. Fortunately, Microsoft has chosen a different path. And with Band 2, the firm is again firing on all cylinders, delivering the right mix of features and improvements. This is my favorite wearable, by far, and the one that will grace my wrist going forward.

5. More Windows 10 Answers: How Activation Will Work on an Upgrade

While we still don’t know whether Microsoft will provide Windows 10 ISOs—hint: they almost have to—a leaked version of the Windows 10 release notes finally puts some other important questions around product activation to bed. And to be clear, this is good news.

4. Here’s What’s New in the Windows 10 Fall Update

Sometime soon, Microsoft will release the Windows 10 Fall Update, incrementing the OS to version 1511 and providing users with a number of new and improved features. Here’s what you can expect from this release.

3. Should You Upgrade to Windows 10?

Most individuals who are using Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 have received Microsoft’s intrusive “Get Windows 10” advertisement, asking you to “reserve” your free upgrade to this new OS and prep your PC to download it so you can install on day one. Which is all well and good. But should you? And if so, when?

2. Windows 10 Feature Focus: Display Scaling

Windows will automatically scale to meet the needs of your PC’s display: it does so by examining the size and pixel density—or PPI, pixels per inch—of the display and then choosing an appropriate scaling level. Best of all, this now works properly with multi-display set ups, and you can configure each display independently.

And the winner is …

1. Windows 10 Tip: Successfully Clean Install Windows 10

With Microsoft issuing ISO media for Windows 10, many people who qualify for the free upgrade are attempting to clean install the OS rather than upgrade. That may not work, but you can achieve a clean install of Windows 10 legally and easily enough.

Given all this Windows 10, I guess I’ll just pimp my Windows 10 book then. 🙂 Please grab a copy of Windows 10 Field Guide if you haven’t already. Thanks, and Happy New Year! –Paul