Friday, December 6, 2019

Updating from Windows 7 to Windows 10 for Free


Support for Microsoft Windows 7 ends January 2020. They are encouraging those using Windows 7 to update to Windows 10 in order that there devices maintain security and are running without any problems.

On the Microsoft website, there is a cost of $139 to download the Home version of Windows 10. However, the free upgrade offer from Microsoft that supposedly ended in 2016 will still work.

The first release of Windows 10 in July, 2015 brought with it an offer to do a free upgrade from Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 users which was good until July 2016. But in 2017, Ed Bott from CNET's sister site ZDNet reported that the free upgrade tool was still working and as of November, 2019, other individuals have reported it still works, this was confirmed by Bott.

For those Windows 7 users who do not upgrade to the new version, the security updates and patches will not long be available nor will there be any technical support for any problems or issues.

Here is how to to get Windows 10 for free or you can purchase a Windows 8.1 for $187 at Walmart either the Home or Pro version.

1. Go to the Download Windows 10 website

2. Under Create Windows 10 installation media, click Download tool now and run

3. Choose Upgrade this PC now, if this is the only computer to upgrade. If you are upgrading a different computer, choose Create installation media for another PC, and save the installation file.

4. Follow the prompts.

5. When the upgrade is complete, go to Settings Update & Security > Activation, you should see a digital license for Windows 10.

Note you will only see a license matching what you have, if you have the Home version, then it will be a Home license, if you have a Pro version, then it will be a Pro version.

Note: This article first appeared on c|net on November 16, 2019. Sharing for our customers who may be using Windows 7.

Remember Ancestral Quest is fully FamilySearch Certified!


Comments and questions are always welcome!



Happy Ancestraling...Claire ;)


AQ Cues & Clues Blog:http://ancquest.blogspot.com/

(c) 1994-2019 Incline Software, All Rights Reserved
     ancquest@ancquest.com

Thursday, October 3, 2019

AQ Mac Users Information


MacOS Catalina will be available this month, it is the first Mac Operating System built to support only 64-bit applications, older 32-bit applications will not work. In addition, the 235 32-bit applications will be removed from their Mac Apple Store. 

Being prepared is key concerning this Mac update. Wonder what will NOT work? Choose "About This Mac" from the Apple menu, click "System Report". Once there, scroll down to "Software" in the side bar and select "Applications". When you click on an application, check the line labeled"64-Bit (Intel)", if it says "No". it will not run on Catalina. Checking each application listed to see if it is a 64-bit version will provide one an idea of the number of programs that will no longer work including Ancestral Quest

During these last few years, the folks who provide the technical layer between Ancestral Quest and MacOS (which allows AQ to run on your Mac) have been working on a new technical layer that will convert the 32-bit workings of AQ into 64-bit workings required by MacOS Catalina. They call this technical layer a 'wrapper', and had hoped to be done by now, but they are still working on it. We hope that they will be ready before Catalina is released, but they may be a few weeks behind.

If you get a notice it is available and Apple invites you to upgrade to the new version, simply delay upgrading until we have this new 64-bit wrapper available. Delaying the upgrade will allow you to continue using AQ until this new wrapper is available. 


Remember Ancestral Quest is fully FamilySearch Certified!


Comments and questions are always welcome!

Happy Ancestraling...Claire ;)


AQ Cues & Clues Blog:http://ancquest.blogspot.com/

(c) 1994-2019 Incline Software, All Rights Reserved
     ancquest@ancquest.com



Tuesday, August 6, 2019

AQ - Preparing for the Unexpected!


Each days' work is valuable, yet, without thinking one can easily click a backup away or the backup is on the same computer as the genealogical/family history data. With all digital devices, it is a fact they all fail at some point in time, not knowing the when puts the emphasis on taking the necessary steps to make backups and copy files to a safe place.

In Ancestral Quest there is a way to tell the program to back up your files to a specific location, like a flash drive, drop box, google drive, iCloud or an external hard drive. When in the program simply  go to Tools--> Preferences and click on the tab marked " Files and Folders". Once there take time to set up where to store your backup files.


Click on "Browse" and locate your external location, a flash drive, drop box, some place other than your own computer. Once you've located the place to put your files, you'll see the exact location to the right of "Backup", click "OK" and you are set. Each time you backup the file it will automatically back up to the chosen location.

On a separate note, copying any digital pictures and documents to perhaps the same location is also a wise idea. If something goes wrong with the computer, an electrical storm, an unexpected power serge, or even the computer is and old one your files and data are safely stored!

If you have to retrieve a file because something happened or you replaced your computer, you will simply need to copy the most recent backup to your new computer's document folder. Re-download the program from here: http://ancquest.com/ver15.htm, run and install it. 

With the program open, go to File-->Restore you will look for the file you placed there and click "Open", then he "Save As" window will appear asking you where to save it and what name to give the file.


Once you fill in the information, click "Restore" and the file will be there. If you have done this on an existing computer, be sure to change the name as it will overwrite what may be there. Note: If you are on a new computer you'll need to establish the back up location once again.

Taking these precautions will allow you to continue your research knowing it will not disappear regardless of what may happen with the computer.

Take advantage of this and many other great features of Ancestral Quest 15 today, click here to purchase, download and start enjoying this great program which helps you grow your family tree with only a few clicks.

Remember Ancestral Quest is fully FamilySearch Certified!


Comments and questions are always welcome!

Happy Ancestraling...Claire ;)


AQ Cues & Clues Blog:http://ancquest.blogspot.com/

(c) 1994-2019 Incline Software, All Rights Reserved
     ancquest@ancquest.com