Are Apps Programs and Programs Apps?

T

Tight Git

Bronze Level Poster
Good Evening,

Like many others, I'm being "forced" to upgrade from Win 7 to Win 10 in a couple of month's time.

(I'm a pensioner with only a basic computer knowledge, so I don't like change and nor does Mrs TG!)

My computer from PCSpecialists is now 5 years old, but it was top of the range, so I suspect will cope OK.

My problem is that I have FSX in a separate partition (F) and I don't want to have to re-install it,
as I also have several TB of scenery in other partitions, so it would take forever!

I see I can upgrade and keep my files, settings and Apps intact, but that's where I begin to fret.

I always thought Apps were associated with Android on my Samsung Tablet, whilst my desktop had Programs.

Or, are the terms interchangeable these days, and FSX can be regarded as an App?

Sorry if this basic question is obvious to you experts, but it's got me really worried!

Many thanks.
 
ubuysa

ubuysa

The BSOD Doctor
You don't have to upgrade from Windows 7 if your PC is not connected to the Internet. I don't know whether you use it for Internet work in addition to the flight sim but if you do one option might be to leave the flight sim on the Windows 7 PC and ensure it's never connected to the Internet after Jan next year. If you have a laptop or other PC you could use that for your Internet stuff.

I'm not even certain that you can upgrade from 7 to 10 and keep existing applications (what we used to call programs now tend to be called applications or apps because that's what phones and tablets call then). Even if it is possible I would very strongly advise against it. Upgrading from one version of Windows 10 to the next and keeping apps can (and does) cause problems. If you must install Windows 10 on that PC I would only consider a clean install even though it will cause you considerable work with FSX.

Sent using Tapatalk
 
Oussebon

Oussebon

Multiverse Poster
Brief answer, yes, apps are programs of a kind, and we can still talk about programs in Windows 10. An App is a program that uses the Universal Windows Platform (i.e. a program you get via the Windows Store). But the terms often get used interchangeably.

For a more detailed answer than you probably want:
www.guidingtech.com

Difference Between an App and a Program in Windows 10: GT Explains

Learn subtle differences and similarities between an app and a program on Windows 10. Understand how they are different yet similar to, and need, each other.
www.guidingtech.com www.guidingtech.com

I see I can upgrade and keep my files, settings and Apps intact, but that's where I begin to fret.
Click to expand...

Note you may be able to upgrade to Win 10 without needing to buy a new licence. Microsoft may well let you activate a Windows 10 install with your Windows 7 key. See:
www.howtogeek.com

You Can Still Get Windows 10 for Free With a Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 Key

Microsoft's free Windows 10 upgrade offer is over--or is it? There's still a way to activate Windows 10 with a Windows 7, 8, or 8.
www.howtogeek.com www.howtogeek.com

There are 2 ways to move to Windows 10 - one is an 'in place' upgrade, where you (in theory) keep your apps (programs), files, and so on. The other is a clean install where you sweep away Windows and start afresh.

My very strong advice would be a clean install of Windows. In place upgrades can wreak all kinds of havoc - just because they're meant to work seamlessly doesn't mean they do. You can end up with programs that don't work, all kinds of weird Windows issues, or if you're particularly unlucky a broken Windows installation.

But - if your FSX stuff is on a separate partition, you don't need to delete that partition as part of a clean install. Just the ones relating to the operating system.

Is your FSX the Steam edition? Generally with Steam games on other drives/partitions, you can do a clean install of Windows, reinstall Steam, then tell steam to install a game in a location it already is. Steam detects the files, understand the game is already there, and you carry on with your existing installation. If you have a modded game install folder, obviously take a backup of that first. I can't speak as to FSX but the process works fine with other heavily modded games.

You could also image the drive(s)/partition(s) before any transition to Windows 10, using free software like Macrium Reflect, and just roll back if there's an issue.

So: you may be able to upgrade to Win 10 for free, you should do a clean install of Windows, but you may well be able to use your existing game + mod installations. And backup /image everything before you do anything.
 
T

Tight Git

Bronze Level Poster
Thanks for all that excellent advice.

It's essential to connect my desktop to the internet, so upgrading to Win 10 would seem compulsory.

Being a born coward, I would also do a full image of my Win 7 system.

(I've been doing that twice a week with Norton Ghost for the last 5 years anyway, so no problem!)

It would appear that I have nothing to lose by trying the upgrade route.

If it works, great, otherwise it's a clean install, I just hope I live long enough to do the FSX re-install!

Also thanks for the suggestion of doing the upgrade for free, again if it works, great, if not I'll buy a licence.

Well, I've got my TG user name to live up to!

Many thanks again.
 
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