New laptop and reinstalling the OS

[Cannalink]

Hey,

So I bought this laptop for school to replace my aging laptop and noticed that it came with Windows 10 home. Since my major is in CS, a lot of the programs I use are from Microsoft(Visual Studio and a few others) so I kind of need windows for this laptop. Now, I have access to Win7 and Win8 Pro and can upgrade to Win10(getting the pro version) with either but I was curious as to whether a lot of the programs that come with the laptop are worth me keeping the home edition. It came with McAfee and some other programs that I'm not sure I should delete when I install a new OS.

My older laptop uses Avast and Malwarebytes for protection because they're free but I don't know much about McAfee. The screen is also a touchscreen if that matters. I'm not sure if there is software that this new laptop comes with that the touchscreen needs.(Just no experience)

Anyway, any help is appreciated.

 

[Cloudy1]

Hey,

So I bought this laptop for school to replace my aging laptop and noticed that it came with Windows 10 home. Since my major is in CS, a lot of the programs I use are from Microsoft(Visual Studio and a few others) so I kind of need windows for this laptop. Now, I have access to Win7 and Win8 Pro and can upgrade to Win10(getting the pro version) with either but I was curious as to whether a lot of the programs that come with the laptop are worth me keeping the home edition. It came with McAfee and some other programs that I'm not sure I should delete when I install a new OS.

My older laptop uses Avast and Malwarebytes for protection because they're free but I don't know much about McAfee. The screen is also a touchscreen if that matters. I'm not sure if there is software that this new laptop comes with that the touchscreen needs.(Just no experience)

Anyway, any help is appreciated.

Hi Cannalink

In regard to the "other programs" coming pre-installed which you are worried about losing I can't comment because you have not listed them but I'm sure it's nothing that can't be replaced by an alternative.

With that being said though, you should also be considering the advantages of a Windows Pro install over that of a Home or Standard Edition.

Here are some of the advantages of Pro over Home:

• 
  The ability to join a Domain
  Group Policy Management
  Bitlocker (the new iteration of which allows individual folder encryption)
  Remote Desktop
  Hyper-V (I.e. Microsoft"s virtualization platform....think along the lines of VMWare)
  ..... + more

NOTE: The last item in the above list requires Intel VT or AMD-V capable chip which with a modern laptop it should have but if you're into virtualization check to be on the safe side.

Here's a good article on that subject:
http/www.altaro.com/hyper-v/hyper-vs-actual-hardware-requirements/

In regard to AV Software:

As you are already aware, there are several free antivirus and malware detection products out there from reputable vendors and you are using two very good options on your old laptop.

Further to this, there are plenty of other one time use detection tools for use either by way of running in the browser or a simple download. Some examples include:

• 
  ESET Online Scanner: http/www.eset.com/au/home/products/online-scanner/
  Microsoft Safety Scanner: http/www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-gb/default.aspx
  Trend Micro House Call: http/housecall.trendmicro.com/au/
  The list goes on.....

Note: I have had success with ESET where even MalwareBytes has left something behind.

So... IMO I would not be devastated with the fact that you MAY lose McAfee if you decide to go with a Win 7/8.1 Pro install and then upgrade to Win 10 Pro as AV software can be replaced.

SUGGESTION: When you get the new machine, check how long the license for McAfee is valid for and if it's 12 months and you really would like to give it a go then contact McAfee and see if you can somehow transfer the license over (a bit of crawling might do the job, for example: tell them that all your friends have recommended this product as it is totally awesome and you don't want to lose it because blah blah blah......maybe they'll come to the party in the hope of a repeat subscription).

In regard to the Touch Screen:

There are reports from users who have faced issues with touch screens after going the upgrade path.

Once again, this is just my opinion and a fix would vary from model to model and manufacturer to manufacturer, but more than likely the "software that this new laptop comes with that the touchscreen needs" as you have stated would simply be a driver installation to allow that operation / functionality.

If you are concerned about this, you may like to start a discussion at the manufacturer support site asking the question or contact them directly and inform them of your plans .... they should then be able to tell you of any problems you might encounter.

Good luck with it all including the Computer Science.

 

[Cannalink]

Thanks a bunch. That cleared everything up.

 

[Cloudy1]

Thanks a bunch. That cleared everything up.

No problem - all the best with your studies