In case anyone out there would be able to help me out here. I'm working with Windows 7. There's a change to upgrade to Windows 10. I've been working with Sonar version as back as Sonar 7. Several plugins that are/were part of such and also part of Sonar Producer have been kept into Sonar Platinum. I still find several of them functional. If I allow the computer to upgrade to Windows 10...

Will I lose access to plugins?
Will older Sonar versions be unable to run anymore?
 
Should I forget about Windows 10 all together?
 
Thanks,
 
 
GS

Whatever you have "should" be carried over if you let it upgrade.  I upgraded from Win 8, but everything I had on Win 8 was carried forward.  A client just upgraded from Win 7 and everything he had was carried forward to Win 10.
You may have some issues having to re register some 3rd party add ons.
 
Whether to actually upgrade?  If the hardware is fully compatible my opinion is to go for it.  BUT, before you do make a complete hard drive backup (disc image) to another drive using a program such as Macrium Reflect.  Then if the upgrade doesn't work you can restore the drive with the disc image.  Win 10 has a function to return to the previous OS but it doesn't always work or work fully so having the backup disc image you can restore if needed.
 
 

I did an in place upgrade from Windows 7 x64 to Windows 10 Pro and all my plugins and software worked fine. I'm very happy with the upgrade. As insurance I did an system image backup before the upgrade and I recommend that you do the same.

The issue about reauthorizing may not be trivial, especially after a long time. Before you do, you should identify the plugs you want to have in Windows 10, and be sure that you have the necessary accounts and authorization codes, and that the plugin suppliers are still in business and the authorization system is still intact. Some plugins and applications may not recognize your new installation as the original computer, and some require you to de-authorize or uninstall them while connected to the internet (to initiate the de-authorization built into their uninstallers) prior to moving to a new computer, so that might be a wise precaution. 

Good advice on authorisations.

The only two I had to reauthorize were XLN addictive drums, which was straightforward and Independence Pro, this was problematic as I had used all my authorisations.

I contacted support with no result. The issue is clouded as my purchase predated the Magix takeover. I am sure the issue could be resolved but in the end I just decided to let it go and reclaim 70GB disk space containing rarely used libraries.

I want to thank all of you guys for your replies. I sure will take into consideration all the information you have provided. I still have until the end of July, 2016  for the free Windows 10 upgrade. In the mean time it looks like I have some homework to do...

Thanks again,

GS

I'd recommend upgrading, Windows 10 is a better OS overall in my experience. The in place upgrade works very well in ever case I've tried (I'm a sysadmin so I've done a few) but I have heard some stories of problems. So make sure you are not in the middle of a project and have time to reinstall, if needed.
 
What I'd do, what I did in fact, is to deauthorize anything with a fussy authorization system before upgrade, then reauthorize it. So Sonar, NI Komplete, Sound Forge, that sort of thing I just left in place since they don't do deauthorization because their authorization procedure isn't silly. Melodyne, Waves, stuff like that I removed the authorization on my system and set it back to their license servers and then got it back afterwards. In terms of dongle stuff I just installed the latest drivers after upgrade and went on about my business.
 
Everything I left installed recognized it as the same system. The IK products didn't use up another authorization or anything.
 
The good news is that it isn't like you'll be the first to upgrade, literally tens of millions of people have so the companies are aware of what may happen with their particular application. Also Microsoft themselves is not ignorant of these issues and took steps to work with various copy protection vendors to make sure it'd work.
 
The only case I'd be concerned about is if you own a plugin that needs authorization, and the vendor is gone. Then you could lose it. Of course you are going to lose that at some point anyhow so now might be a good time to start looking for a replacement.

One thing no one here has mentioned.  Make sure your Interace has Windows 10 drivers.  That is the main reason I stopped using my Presonus FirePod and got a Behringer XR18!  Your interface may be the weakest Link.  That said, after I upgraded the Interface Windows 10 in place upgrade was a snap and I did not loose anything!
 
 

Actually the issue is whether Win10 will run your interface's drivers. A lot of devices do not have Win10 specific drivers, and many never will, but they work on Win10 with older drivers. I have used Win7 beta drivers with no problems, and anything after Vista has a chance. Sometimes installing as administrator helps, as does running the driver installer in compatibility mode.  Google "unsigned drivers" "windows 10" before you give up.

slartabartfast
Actually the issue is whether Win10 will run your interface's drivers. A lot of devices do not have Win10 specific drivers, and many never will, but they work on Win10 with older drivers. I have used Win7 beta drivers with no problems, and anything after Vista has a chance. Sometimes installing as administrator helps, as does running the driver installer in compatibility mode.  Google "unsigned drivers" "windows 10" before you give up.

Key item - 'after Vista', especially laptops, as they tend to use customized chipsets that lose support after a couple of years.