I upgraded from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 last week. I was going to do a post about what I think about Windows 10 back then,  but unfortunately I had picked up a little social media program called wajam somewhere along the way, and it caused problems with logging onto my new Windows 10 desktop with a Microsoft account versus a local account (which I was using in Windows 8.1).

Wajam was installed, but I was not using it and did not even know it was there.

I have been troubleshooting all week and just figured out deleting the wajam application fully solves the issue.  From the Windows bulletin boards I can say there were hundreds of people experiencing the same frustration.

Now that I have Windows 10 is working as expected I am going to share my thoughts about the application.

First the Install Story

For the last couple of years Microsoft has designed their products to steer users to login to their devices with a Microsoft Account (e.g, windows phone, xbox, windows 8.1, etc). This allows for easy syncing of your data with  OneDrive (Microsoft’s cloud storage product) and with all your other devices (phone, Xbox, etc).  For those not really into sharing and having data move beyond local control there is the option to create a local account.  This is neither easy nor intuitive but you can do it.

On my windows 8.1, I was using a local account and when I upgraded I kept that setting.   One of the new features of Windows 10 is Cortana (basically a Siri copy).  The catch is you must be logged in with your Microsoft account to use all the features (talk to her, ask questions, etc).  So I went to switch from my local account to a Microsoft account so I could try Cortana out and I could not do it.  All the add user, switch to Microsoft account functionality just did not work.  Using logs I found the error message and ultimately tracked it to Wajam (during my troubleshooting journey I took some side trips using administrative command line actions for a work around to force add my Microsoft account and test out Cortana as well as various diagnostic stuff).

Now, however, it is fixed – Wajam is gone and the user interface to switch to Microsoft account works.    But, holy cow what a run-around.  Of course with my hacking skills (certainly dangerous at times) this is something that I could work out but for majority of users this would be a nightmare issue.

And Finally What do I think about windows 10?

Good job.  A really fine mix of typical desktop interface and tablet or mobile functionality – that is one operating system for all devices.  This is an admirable goal (one for all and one for all -someone else said that first).  Windows 10 is a good step in that direction.  Also they did a competent job of copying Apple and Google’s recent innovations, in some cases even improving on them (like Siri, Onedrive improvements, etc).

I regularly use several flavors of linux (unslung, QTS, Rasbian, Debian) and OSX as well of course the gamete of windows O/S versions and Windows 10 is right up there at the top of the heap for functionality and ease of use.  Not withstanding the install issues I had.