Upgrade ThinkPad W510 to Win 10

Question

 I want to try to update a 5 year old ThinkPad W510, which I have not really been using much, from Win 7 to Win 10. I don't yet see it in the compatability list yet so I am not sure whether it will be viable although hardware-wise it meets the Win 10 specs. I looked at the recommendations for upgrading from Win 7 to Windows 8 and I will attempt to follow those as a first step. 1) It recommended updating the BIOS as there was a BIOS change relating to Windows 8. I have done that.2) I will remove a lot of unused software. Those that I want to retain might need to be updated and I will install the latest ones after the upgrade.3) There was a list of five software programs / drivers that were indicated as being required to be removed. I will do that prior to the update.4) There was a whole slew of Lenovo software and some drivers that were recommended to be removed. I can do that also but it seems that Lenovo has not developed updated versions yet. I think it might be best to wait for those before committing to the upgrade.5) Regarding drivers,when I ran Windows Update under Win 7, it has 7 driver updates available: a) AuthenTec driver update for TouchChip Fingerprint CoProcessor [my device is made by UPEK] b) Intel Lan - Intel 82577LM Gigabit Network Connection c) Lenovo LCD (1366x768) [This is the .INF file defining the ThinkPad display] d) Lenovo Other Hardware - Lenovo PM (Power Mgmt) Device e) nVidia - Graphics Adapter Quadro FX 880M f) Ricoh Company - Storage - PCIe Memory Stick Host Controller g) Synaptics ThinkPad UltraNav Pointing Device   Using Windows Update to install drivers has been prone to problems for many. I intend to update what I can from the Lenovo drivers site. a) Lenovo has an update to the Fingerprint software for Win7/Win8 which includes a new driver. Apparently AuthenTec bought up the technology from UPEK, that explains the name change. Since Lenovo recommends that the Fingerprint software be uninstalled, I am not sure whether to install the new software and then uninstall it prior to the Win 10 install or whether Lenovo will be coming out with a new version for Win 10. b) For the Intel LAN Adapter I will install the Lenovo update. c) I probably will let Windows Update install the LCD .INF file. Lenovo has two different versions, one appears to be newer which had included support for Win 10 and then removed it (?). d) The Power Mgmt Device is questionable since I was not able to find any update from Lenovo. e), f), g) I will use Lenovo's updates for these.  [ I would hope Win 10 would apply any driver updates that would be needed, but whether Lenovo will have new ones available shortly after the releae of Win 10, I don't know. ] Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks,   JohnD

Answer 1

According to the information I have been able to find at Lenovo Support on upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 8 and from Windows 7 to Windows 10, there appears to be a bunch of Lenovo software that must be or is recommended to be removed before doing the jump to Win 10. Whether I will be able to get updates for them at this point, I don't know. Since this will basically be used as a test system for Win 10, for somethings (such as the Fingerprint reader and a lot of other items) it is not a big deal. I will be happy to have basic functions working such as TouchPad, Keyboard, Ethernet, and Wireless. i will have some limited software installed which I also hope will continue to function. I suspect that Win 10 may update some of the drivers as part of the installation process. This is what I have gathered regarding what should remain and what should be uninstalled: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ KEEP:------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     Intel Network Connection Drivers
     NEC Electronics USB 3.0 Host Controller Driver
     NVIDIA Drivers v312.69  [I have updated these to the latest that Lenovo had for my system)     Qualcomm Gobi 2000 Pkg for Lenovo     RICOH RSU230 Media Driver ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NOT SURE:------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     Disable AMT Profile Sync Pop-up for Vista/Win7
     Integrated Camera Driver Installer Pkg
     Intel Turbo Boost Technology Monitor
     Intel Control Center     Intel Management Engine Components     ThinkPad UltraNav Driver ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ UNINSTALL:------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     Access Help
     Client Security - Password Manager
     Create Recovery Media     Intel PRO/Set/Wireless WiFi Software
     Lenovo System Interface Driver
     Lenovo ThinkVantage Toolbox
     Lenovo Warranty Information
     Lenovo Welcome
     Message Center Plus
     Mobile Broadband Connect
     NVIDIA nView Desktop Manager  [This is an old version from the initial Win 7 build]
     NVIDIA Performance Drivers  [This is an old version from the initial Win 7 build]
     On Screen Display
     Registry Patch to Enable Max Pwr Saving on WiFi Win7
     Rescue and Recovery
     System Update
     ThinkPad Bluetooth with Enhanced Data Rate Software
     ThinkPad FullScreen Magnifier
     ThinkPad Modem Adapter
     ThinkPad Power Mgmt Driver
     ThinkPad Power Manager
     ThinkPad UltraNav Utility
     ThinkVantge Access Connections
     ThinkVantge Active Protection System
     ThinkVantge Fingerprint Software
     ThinkVantge GPS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------QUESTIONABLES:------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------There are a number of entries In Programs and Features labeled "Windows Driver Packages" Some of these seem to be duplicates of entries above. I am not sure what to do with them.      Broadcom Bluetooth (6/15/2009)
     Broadcom Bluetooth (7/30/2009)
     Broadcom HIDClass (7/28/2009)
     Intel (e1 kexpress) Net (12/10/2009)
     Intel (HECIx64) System (9/17/2009)
     Intel System (6/4/2009)
     Intel System (10/28/2009)  [2]
     Intel USB (8/20/2009)
     Lenovo Power Mgmt Driver (11/18/2009)
     Ricoh Co Memory Stick Host Controller (10/26/2009)------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Any assistance would be appreciated. Thanks,    JohnD