installing windows 10 on HP Envy

[David12228]

I am reluctantly going to install Win 10 Pro on this laptop, initially in dual boot mode with Win 7 Pro on the 500Gig SSD.

2 questions: What drivers will I need from HP; and are there any pitfalls/traps to avoid?

Many thanks,

David

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, David:

There are W10 drivers on the support page.

https://support.hp.com/in-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-envy-15-j100-notebook-pc-series/5401187

The only issues you may encounter is with the audio and wifi. 

The audio driver works on the older builds of W10, but not on the last 3 or so.

Wifi:  You may have issues with the Ralink RT3290 or Intel 2230.  Ralink disappears and Intel frequently disconnects.

https://support.hp.com/in-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-envy-15-j100-notebook-pc-series/5401187

If you have an issue with the audio, see if installing this W10 IDT audio driver from a newer model notebook and restarting the PC, resolves the issue...

6.10.6492.0     Jul 17, 2015

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp71501-72000/sp71886.exe

If you have wifi issues, replace the problematic wifi card with this one...

Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 802.11 ac 2x2 WiFi + BT 4.0                 HP Part # 710661-001

The card is readily available on eBay or Amazon.

Search by the HP part number, not by the model number of the wireless card

[David12228]

Thank you for the detailed response. Now I am torn, update or replace??? Hmmmm.

David

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome, David.

Yes it is a tough decision--especially if you have to pay $199 to upgrade.

However, you may still be able to get the free upgrade to W10.

See the info at the link below...

https://www.zdnet.com/article/heres-how-you-can-still-get-a-free-windows-10-upgrade/

If you want to give it a whirl, click on the blue Update Now button at the link below.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

If you are asked to enter a product key, select the 'I don't have a product key' option.

Hopefully, W10 will be activated with a digital license.

It worked for me this past July.

If it doesn't work out, you can always go back to W7 within 30 days as long as you don't delete any files.

See this link for more info...

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4027936/windows-10-go-back-to-windows-7-or-windows-81