Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I recently upgraded my old Windows-7 laptop to the “free” Windows-10 promotional offered from Microsoft. Even under Windows-7 the WiFi interface had been problematic and the issued continued under Windows-10. Given the advanced age of the laptop, I didn’t want to invest a lot of money fixing the WiFi. In reviewing Amazon’s USB WiFi solutions, the Edimax EW-7811Un appeared to be likely low cost solution were it not for the large number of negative reviews which were offset by the still larger number of positive review. I decided to take a chance and ordered the Edimax EW-7811Un. When the Edimax EW-7811Un arrived, I was able to use the default Windows-10 and Mini CD-ROM to install the driver and support software; however, neither solution worked for longer than several minutes before failing. Most troubling was that the Edimax EW-7811Un “ALMOST” worked. When I read the current product reviews, as they pertain to Windows-10, I realized that my experience was not unique and there were a number of unhappy people who ordered the Edimax EW-7811Un for use with Windows-10. In reviewing several USB WiFi solutions on Amazon, I noticed that the Windows-10 upgrades were more problematic. This could be caused by (1) older and slower hardware or (2) the Windows-10 upgrade image was not quite the same as a native Windows-10 image. For several days I considered writing a scathing review while devising alternative solutions but kept returning to the fact that the software was almost on the cusp of working. Finally, I called the Edimax support number, expecting technical support Hades, only to be quickly connected with a knowledge support technician. When I described the problem, the technician indicated that the wrong software was being distributed for Windows-10 and provided guidance on where to find the correct software, which was not on the primary Edimax website. As Amazon doesn’t support the posting of URL’s, the following navigation is provided on where to find the correct software: Navagation: edimax.us | support | download drives On the “Driver & Manual Download” page, go to Section 7 and download the ZIP compressed driver EW-7811Un Win v1.0.1.4, which is the first entry in Section 7. I used a tablet to download the file EW-7811Un_Windows_driver_v1.0.1.4.zip and then transferred the file to Windows-10 using a USB interface. Un-ZIP the file, using Windows-10, and then run the program “Setup”. This not a GUI and runs under a DOS shell, so just wait until it completes. As Edimax Support recommended, reboot your Windows-10 system, and you should be good to go! A few off-the-cuff observations: (1) A built-in laptop WiFi generally has a hidden and sometimes large antenna under the case. The Edimax may not work in WiFi marginal areas of your home. There are Edimax products with large external antennas but these will not have the small form factor of the Edimax EW-7811Un. If the connection is very poor the Edumax is flagged as “Turned Off” and you may have to use Windows-10 to re-enable the WiFi. This could be a bug! (2) I noticed that the Edimax EW-7811Un sometimes appears to go to sleep. Turning Device “Power Management” OFF may correct that problem. I have now run a four hour series of serious stress tests and, with the exception of marginal areas in my home, the Edimax EW-7811Un has performed well. I am giving this product “Five Starts” because of the good performance at a very affordable price point. Yes, Edimax’s software quality control was troubling in this case, but I would give their Technical Support “Six Stars” without a second thought. Microsoft Windows-10 upgrade policy was highly innovative and has given new life to older hardware and after market upgrades such as the Edimax EW-7811Un. Edimax and Amazon have to do a better job of communicating the good news to their customers.