Windows 10

I've been involved with about 16 upgrades from 7 or 8.1. All of them have run faster overall except my son's HP laptop,and that was fixed by removing some programs from Startup. (msconfig.exe).Tip: if you hate This PC opening to Quick Access, in This PC (Windows Explorer) with the ribbon showing on the View tab, click the Options button, not the little down-arrow below it. At the top will be a drop-down for the initial view.Sure wish someone would figure out how to make Settings | Apps and Features default to sorting by name instead of by size, or remembering the last choice.

It's pretty darned good about existing applications. Be aware that if you download the Media Creation Tool and run it, "Update Now" is not exactly the same as "Create ISO" followed by burning a DVD. The former checks for incompatible apps and drivers and warns you, installing from the ISO does not. Had a lot of problems with some of the computers until we figured that out. Spend the time to download from the Media Creation Tool.

The new folder button is there on the ribbon, which you may have hidden. If the ribbon is open with no new folder button that's unheard of. There may be a way to set it that way but it's definitely not the default.

Oh, and, the recommended fate for Mr. XP is in a virtual machine. Your may have constraints that make it difficult.