Windows 10 and FileMaker / WordPress

Windows 10 was released yesterday…and for many people it is a FREE upgrade so the temptation is great to upgrade right away. Take a moment to consider what this might mean for you. Breath deeply, slow down, and read on.

Can I use FileMaker with Windows 10?

The official supported Microsoft OS versions for FileMaker Pro 14 client are:

• Windows 8.1 Standard
• Windows 8.1 Pro
• Windows 8 Standard
• Windows 8 Pro
• Windows 7 (SP1) Ultimate, Professional, Home Premium

So our first recommendation is to upgrade to the latest version of FileMaker…version 14. There is no guarantee that any versions prior to 14 will be fully compatible with Windows 10…but we are sure that FileMaker will update FileMaker 14 to make it compatible because it is their current shipping product version and Windows 10 will soon have a presence in the market due to its cost.

If you’re not using FileMaker 14, contact us for the best pricing on FileMaker licenses and renewals. We can also assist with the upgrade from any previous versions of FileMaker to version 14 as it may require some database changes.

For sure do NOT use Windows 10 with FileMaker Server. The following Windows OS versions are supported for FileMaker Server 14:

• Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard Edition with Update
• Windows Server 2012 Standard Edition
• Windows 2008 R2 SP1 Standard Edition, Enterprise Edition

It is unlikely that a release of FileMaker Server will be compatible with Windows 10 for a few months.

What about using WordPress or web sites with Windows 10?

In general, the latest browsers give you the best experience. We suggest updating to the latest versions of Chrome, FireFox, and Internet Explorer today …on your current OS…and having multiple browsers available. Certain web sites function better in different browsers. It’s always good to have a backup web browser available as well in case one dies and you need a different browser to download a new installer.

Overall, our advice is to WAIT to install Windows 10 and RESIST THE TEMPTATION to be the first one on the block with the new software. If you have a system that is running critical software for your business, you do not want to be testing out new software. In the best case scenario it might work but you have no official support from software vendors that need to catch up with the release. In the worst case scenario your existing software will no longer work, you have limited functionality, or you will lose information or crash you system.

If you have a computer that is not mission critical to your business, and you want to try Windows 10, first back up the entire workstation…in multiple ways:

1. Install CrashPlan…and wait for an entire sync of all your important files to be backed up offsite.
2. Install Dropbox and drag all your important files into the magic Dropbox folder so they are backed up in the cloud for access on any device you have.
3. Get an external hard drive larger in size than your internal hard drive and back up your entire workstation to it using Xxclone or Clonezilla.  Xxclone and Clonezilla are Windows products similar to SuperDuper on the Mac. They create a full backup clone of your workstation that can save you quickly in the case of a hard drive crash.

Then read this article from ComputerWorld… “Windows 10 is for Suckers”.

Check for compatibility with your most important applications from the software developer.

After all that preparation, if you’re still game for the new OS, then give Windows 10 a try. Take the advice here seriously to avoid disaster with your system.

In general, you always want your OS to be the OLDEST software on your system. All your critical use applications should be updated to work with Windows 10 or at minimum you know that the current versions are compatible with Windows 10 BEFORE you upgrade…and remember to backup everything now.

P.S. We work with Windows all the time since it is a very popular operating system. However, we recommend Mac OS systems for the best user experience.  It’s kind of ironic that one of the main features of Windows 10 is that it is like Windows 7. Also, Mac OS has been version 10 since 2001…and it didn’t skip a version number to get there.

P.P.S. We ALWAYS stress the importance of backups. If you’re on a Mac, read this article about backups and DO what it suggests today. In the last two weeks we’ve see failure of two hard drives…(it will happen eventually)…where users had NO backups and lost all their information. Are you ready to lose your music, photos, and other important documents today?