Windows 10. It's been a while now

[Thermodynamic Man]

Hi All.
Hope you had a nice Easter break
It has been a little while now since Microsoft launched Windows 10 and I have been reluctant to try it in case there were some horror stories
Now every day these cursed pop ups keep appearing telling me to download it now whilst it is still free
I just need to know what the verdict about it is from those that have taken the plunge and are now using it.
Is it better? Much the same? Had problems and deleted it?
Your views would be greatly appreciated/. Many thanks

 

[Bob]

I'm using it on my PCbut just pretending it's not there. For me, it appears to have completely mucked up Outlook whichwont run. Apartfrom that everything seems to work

 

[Thermodynamic Man]

Hi Bob
So how are you getting over the Outlook problem?... or aren't you?

 

[ryedale]

We've rolled it out across 7 office PCs and not had any problems at all.

 

[Bob]

I havent sorted the Outlook problem yet. Having to use Windows Mail but mostly using the phone.!!!! Havent had time to try to sort it yet

 

[UKcentric]

When we finally took the plunge we found few problems. There is a slight learning curve as you get used to the new interface, but no big deal. We actually prefer the simplified, blocky UI. Control panel settings are harder to find - but are still there in the background. We had no problems with Outlook.

 

[fisicx]

And the fact that your OS is constantly reporting everything you do back to Redmond doesn't worry you at all? That the OS will download Apps it thinks you should have and nag you constantly. That it automatically gives WiFi access to anyone in your address book? That it will update things without you having any say in the matter?

As an OS it does a reasonable job but the built in spyware is keeping many people away.

 

[S Goodman]

And the fact that your OS is constantly reporting everything you do back to Redmond doesn't worry you at all? That the OS will download Apps it thinks you should have and nag you constantly. That it automatically gives WiFi access to anyone in your address book? That it will update things without you having any say in the matter?

As an OS it does a reasonable job but the built in spyware is keeping many people away.

You can turn off all those "features", so not a problem. Your internet actions are, I believe, stored by your provider anyway (unless that's another government con like the TV detector vans!).

I installed it day one of it's release and had no problems. The only slight issue is thanks to the updates it's not as fast now as it was originally, but even so it's still quicker than 8 and easier to use.

 

[Clinton]

And the fact that your OS is constantly reporting everything you do back to Redmond doesn't worry you at all? That the OS will download Apps it thinks you should have and nag you constantly. That it automatically gives WiFi access to anyone in your address book? That it will update things without you having any say in the matter?

As an OS it does a reasonable job but the built in spyware is keeping many people away.

Isn't it amazing how some people simply trust that the knobs give them full control of what's being sent back to the hive, or are comfortable with sharing so much information and giving a third party so much control over their PC?

I still don't understand why people feel the need for Windows anyway. My main PC has had open source not just for OS but Apache Office, GIMP etc., and it runs so much faster and is so much safer. Whenever I do use a Windows machine now I feel kind of dirty. Give open source a try, folk, even if it's on a dual boot. You won't be sorry. Windows 10 is a good excuse and the ideal opportunity to make the switch.

 

[fisicx]

You can turn off all those "features", so not a problem. Your internet actions are, I believe, stored by your provider anyway...

You can't turn them off. Redmond tracks everything, not just your internet actions. The features you can disable will get turned back on again everytime windows updates itself. Which is another feature you can't disable.

 

[S Goodman]

You can't turn them off. Redmond tracks everything, not just your internet actions. The features you can disable will get turned back on again everytime windows updates itself. Which is another feature you can't disable.

You can turn them off and stop the auto updates. You do have to dig a little deeper though. I couldn't walk you through the process without being on a PC though but from memory you need to change settings in group policies to enable your auto update settings. I rarely get spare time on my PC, but if you can't find the settings just say and if no one else provides a "walk through" I'll do one when I get the chance.

 

[Clinton]

If they made it that difficult then doesn't it make sense to be deeply suspicious of their intentions and their software? I wouldn't be surprised if in a year or two some security blog publishes a post about a Windows 10 backdoor / beacon / call home function / data gathering snoop module etc., that nobody had spotted before.

 

[fisicx]

You can turn them off and stop the auto updates.

If you have the home edition you cannot block the autoupdate. You can disable the startup checks but that means you can't ever update anything. As soon as you enable the startup checks windows will update everything.

Nor can you permanently block the monitoring. Do a bit of Googling and you will discover they are spying on everything you do.

 

[S Goodman]

If you have the home edition you cannot block the autoupdate. You can disable the startup checks but that means you can't ever update anything. As soon as you enable the startup checks windows will update everything.

Nor can you permanently block the monitoring. Do a bit of Googling and you will discover they are spying on everything you do.

That's a shame, I though a web designer would be a bit computer savvy. Forget the conspiracy Google people and delve just slightly deeper and you'll find microsoft isn't the monster you, and the other non-windows user, seem to think.

 

[fisicx]

I do regard myself as reasonably computer savvy, and that's the reason I'm sticking with W7. I have far more control over how my PC operates and it does everything I need, there is nothing W10 offers that will improve what I do.

As I said, W10 is a pretty good OS. If they turned off the spyware and auto updates it would be an excellent OS. But MS won't do that as it will kill future revenue streams.

 

[Clinton]

...you'll find microsoft isn't the monster you, and the other non-windows user, seem to think.

Whether MS is a monster or not, a vast datastore of information on you, the likes of which MS is accummulating, could prove troublesome, to say the least, if it were to fall in the wrong hands. Say somebody keen on identity theft.

 

[S Goodman]

Whether MS is a monster or not, a vast datastore of information on you, the likes of which MS is accummulating, could prove troublesome, to say the least, if it were to fall in the wrong hands. Say somebody keen on identity theft.

To be fair, and whatever your thoughts, the poster asked for opinions from those using windows 10 and their experience of it, not those that are not (eg you and fisicx). Perhaps if you actually used the system, and understood it, you might be a bit more qualified to comment on it. And those that are using it, on this thread, seem happy with it.

 

[Balanced HQ]

On clean installs it works like a dream with no issues, on existing Win 7 et al a few issues but nothing too difficult or unfixable. We don't use Outlook so not had that as an issue. Like it and its features. Not keen on reading about conspiracy theories in a business context, fact is data is being stored across lots of applications, its how they work, if it bothers you opt out. Information has always been kept on habits, people and their behaviours well before IT dependance.

 

[fisicx]

I have been using W10 a lot over the last six months and have explored many of its features. But I prefer W7 in all respects so that's the one I use for work. The W10 machine is now only used for testing things using Edge.

@Balanced HQ - you can't turn things off and W10 is far more intrusive than almost all apps. For example, it records your keystrokes when you write an email in order to target adverts.

 

[S Goodman]

I have been using W10 a lot over the last six months and have explored many of its features. But I prefer W7 in all respects so that's the one I use for work. The W10 machine is now only used for testing things using Edge.

@Balanced HQ - you can't turn things off and W10 is far more intrusive than almost all apps. For example, it records your keystrokes when you write an email in order to target adverts.

You can turn them off, try it. And I would rather have targeted ads that are of interest rather than random rubbish.

Then again I have no issues with large companies providing free software in return for targeting advertising and gathering info on how I use my PC (which I can turn off). Better that than having to pay many £100's for software that few would buy, then where would you web chaps be without Microsoft and Google?

 

[Clinton]

Perhaps if you actually used the system, and understood it, you might be a bit more qualified to comment on it.

We have two machines in the house that use Windows 10, and I'm the official tech support. Does that now make me "qualified"? That I prefer to not use Windoze on my own machine is after testing it, not before. I've extensive experience with all versions of Windows going back to Win '95 and earlier - installing, tweaking, troubleshooting.

My advice is still to stick with Windows 7 rather than "upgrade" and to consider abandoning Windows altogether.

You like Windows 10. Great. Why is it so difficult to understand that your love for it may not be universal and that others may have good reasons for how they feel about it?

 

[S Goodman]

We have two machines in the house that use Windows 10, and I'm the official tech support. Does that now make me "qualified"? That I prefer to not use Windoze on my own machine is after testing it, not before. I've extensive experience with all versions of Windows going to back Win '95 and earlier - installing, tweaking, troubleshooting.

My advice is still to stick with Windows 7 rather than "upgrade" and to consider abandoning Windows altogether.

So you know how to turn off auto-update and all "spyware" then. So what's your issue? Windows 7, if it's still supported, won't be soon then you'll be left open hackers left, right and centre. Seems daft not to upgrade and simply turn off the "features" you don't like.

 

[Clinton]

Yes, and I'm an ace at registry hacks as well. I also have one Windows 7 and two Windows 8 machines. And I still have two machines running XP. .. for various testing and other reasons. I also have about £10K's worth of other MS server and enterprise software - a deal from my past ownership of a PC manufacturing business that bought OEM in bulk.

The "issue" is one you refuse to see - anyone who doesn't agree with you must be an clueless novice who's never experienced the joys and ecstacy of 10 - so there's no point explaining it any further. All the best.

 

[fisicx]

I've got an XP machine that hasn't been updated in years. It's still safe and secure and never been hacked. W7 will be no different.

People more clever than you and I have removed all tracking functionality and they still see data being passed back to Redmond. You may be happy with the way MS tracks you but many don't. Which is why adoption of W10 is slowing.

And I'd would be just fine without MS in my life. Google isn't an OS so it's no comparision.

 

[MikeJ]

I still don't understand why people feel the need for Windows anyway.

We have two machines in the house that use Windows 10,

Had you forgotten about those two PCs when you made the first statement?

 

[Clinton]

I do use Windows machines for testing stuff that the sheeple (general public) are going to be using. But if it wasn't for sheeple I wouldn't need Windows PCs.

Anyway, use whatever floats your boat. And fret as much as you want, pull your hair out, jump and shout, do anything to get rid of your frustration at the inability of others to recognise manna from heaven.

 

[Clinton]

I've got an XP machine that hasn't been updated in years. It's still safe and secure and never been hacked. .

Me too. It's online most of the time running the odd bot, checking on Cron file outputs from some of my websites, stress testing some software used by the public etc ... but it's never been infected.

 

[S Goodman]

I do use Windows machines for testing stuff that the sheeple (general public) are going to be using. But if it wasn't for sheeple I wouldn't need Windows PCs.

Anyway, use whatever floats your boat. And fret as much as you want, pull your hair out, jump and shout, do anything to get rid of your frustration at the inability of others to recognise manna from heaven.

Makes you wonder where you, and fisicx, would be without all those "sheep"!

You totally bite the hands that feed you.

Use whatever version you like, just be prepared for lack of support when you need it on windows 7. Or get wise and trust version 10, like the majority of the computer using population.

 

[S Goodman]

Me too. It's online most of the time running the odd bot, checking on Cron file outputs from some of my websites, stress testing some software used by the public etc ... but it's never been infected.

Well you are the fool. And say what you will now but at some point......... And when it happens no doubt you'll blame Microsoft.

 

[fisicx]

Or get wise and trust version 10, like the majority of the computer using population.

...or more accurately, about 10% of the computer using population (or 20% of the MS users).

If you are happy using W10 that's fine but 70% of MS users prefers to stick with W7. That should tell you something.

 

[paulears]

This is quite amusing. In reality it's simply a personal choice that's based on your own experiences. I myself have now got all my everyday software running on Windows 10 now that Adobe, Steinberg and Sony say do it. They are the ones that have to support my software, so when they are happy, I go with them. I still have two xp machines because old software won't run on 7 onwards. Things are in different places, and it doesn't bother me because 7 onwards are pretty quick finding them, so it doesn't matter. I got a virus on 10 when avg didn't downgrade from a free trial offer properly. Needed some help from them to fix, but all sorted now. All this agro over what is best? Microsoft changed things so people can mimic one so in another if they want. People use software for work and leisure, the OS really doesn't matter now. I have apple, Px, vista, 7,8 and 10 on the computers here, and simply don't understand the anger and grumpiness. If you don't like something, don't use it, but accept others are allowed a choice too.

 

[S Goodman]

...or more accurately, about 10% of the computer using population (or 20% of the MS users).

If you are happy using W10 that's fine but 70% of MS users prefers to stick with W7. That should tell you something.

More like 50%. Reason being though that windows 8 was a bit of a farce so people went back, or stuck with, seven. Or even, just maybe, there are more computers out there pre-installed with 7 from new that are still in use! Keep in mind windows 7 was installed on new pc's for three years, followed by three years for 8 and 8.1. Windows 10 hasn't been out for a year yet and will soon catch up as it's installed as default on new computers.

Out if interest, because I honestly can't remember, what are the benefits of 7 over 10?

 

[S Goodman]

This is quite amusing. In reality it's simply a personal choice that's based on your own experiences. I myself have now got all my everyday software running on Windows 10 now that Adobe, Steinberg and Sony say do it. They are the ones that have to support my software, so when they are happy, I go with them. I still have two xp machines because old software won't run on 7 onwards. Things are in different places, and it doesn't bother me because 7 onwards are pretty quick finding them, so it doesn't matter. I got a virus on 10 when avg didn't downgrade from a free trial offer properly. Needed some help from them to fix, but all sorted now. All this agro over what is best? Microsoft changed things so people can mimic one so in another if they want. People use software for work and leisure, the OS really doesn't matter now. I have apple, Px, vista, 7,8 and 10 on the computers here, and simply don't understand the anger and grumpiness. If you don't like something, don't use it, but accept others are allowed a choice too.

That is so true. I use my laptop for the internet, banking, email and work. Work mainly involves using Open Office, as long as I can click on a icon and access the software that's all that really matters to me. And of course that the operating system is secure. I just don't understand some peoples paranoia every time microsoft release a new version of the world's most popular operating system.

 

[fisicx]

More like 50%.

Not even close:
https://www.netmarketshare.com/operating-system-market-share.aspx?qprid=10&qpcustomd=0
http://www.extremetech.com/computin...s-20-percent-but-pace-of-growth-still-slowing

Out if interest, because I honestly can't remember, what are the benefits of 7 over 10?

It runs the software I use. Win10 doesn't.

The converse question could also be asked: what are the benefits of 10 over 7

Like I keep saying, W10 is a good OS. I don't have any beef with this. I don't personally like the UI but that's just me. What spoils W10 is the monitoring, the autoupdates and the lack of control unless you pay for the Business edition. You say you can turn things off but they reset when you make any updates. That's not what I expect from an OS.

 

[S Goodman]

Not even close:

You sure?!. That pie chart shows 52% using windows 7, that's pretty close to 50%,certainly closer to 50% than your claim of 70%!! Look at that chart in a years time and 10 will probably be level pegging with 7 and in two years time will have overtaken it. The biggest surprise though is that people are still using Vista

Anyhow we are going round in circles now and adding nothing to the threads question of how users are finding windows 10.

 

[fisicx]

I thought you meant 50% using windows 10.

However, the functionality of windows 10 is fine if you like the handholding way it does things. But if you want to have a bit more control over how the OS does things it's far easier to do so in W7. For example, I've got a W7 machine connected to weather station in the Garden. You need a terminal to set it up. It's almost impossible to do this with W10. Same if you want to use SVN to upload to a server. As a home OS W10 is ok (apart from the spying) but as a heavy duty business OS it's not as felxible as W7.

I'm not so sure W10 will be the biggest in a few years. More and more people are using portable devices (tablets and phones) and MS is losing ground to these.

 

[paulears]

This is like a TV cooking programme spending time on the gas or electric debate. All people are interested in is what it tastes like.

Sure, some software only runs on legacy operating systems. That's life. Hence my XP machines, however at some point I know I will lose access to these and that will be that! All my latest software runs on 7-10, and they now recommend 10 because that is where their latest effort is, and will be in the future. I love those luddites who proclaim how good Ubunto or other minority OS are, but only run a tiny amount of less than popular software.

Very few people are remotely interested in what their computers are, or what software they run - they are interested in what they do for them. That's it.

 

[S Goodman]

I'm not so sure W10 will be the biggest in a few years. More and more people are using portable devices (tablets and phones) and MS is losing ground to these.

That is true, it should have occurred to me! I use my phone far more than my laptop, and Mrs Goodman only uses a android tablet. When I last changed the phone I rejected Nokia from the off simply because it used the Microsoft OS, I like android. So yes, in a few years android will probably be the most used OS.

 

[paulears]

Surely the computer world is split into two camps. Those who have an interest in the behind the scenes activity, and those who are interested in the software. My wife has no idea what her iPad is running - or her phone. They simply work. People choose their tablets, pads and laptops based on how pretty they are, or because they have nice screen savers. My wife is totally unaware that her phone and my gizmo in the van that plays music and does sat nav duties are running the same software. Android doesn't do well because it's android. It does well because it's on popular phones. There will always be some people who know how things work, and have strong opinions, but they're a tiny minority in the total sales. Pink apparently is the colour the 'best' computers are at the moment. Microsoft Office and Open Office don't care about the OS. They're the two most common requirements. I've just asked two younger people doing some editing for me at the moment - one is a photoshop guy the other does music. I asked them what windows the two computers they were using had on them. Neither knew, or cared! The computers turn on and the software runs.

 

[Clinton]

Well you are the fool. And say what you will now but at some point......... And when it happens no doubt you'll blame Microsoft.

I've never blamed Microsoft. When you use bug ridden bloatware, it's your own fault when things go wrong (read the EULA sometime). You need to learn enough about security to keep your machine safe. And even then you need to take regular images in case of ransomware or other infection. (Caveat: With any software that requires you to go online for it to work there can be other impediments to restoration of a working system i.e. more dependence on third parties to complete even basic/essential computing tasks)

I agree with Paul about people only caring that their machine works rather than what's under the hood. That, unfortunately, leaves folk wide open to exploitation in a number of different ways most of which the large majority won't understand. I've been working in IT for the better part of the last quarter century. I recall the debate on the "control of the desktop" and when it first emerged with the controversy of IE being bundled with Windows. At that time I had no idea of the real extent to which users would end up surrendering control of their desktops. It's a shame, because they don't appreciate the full implications of giving up such control and they could end up paying a heavy price later. But unlike some preachers and evangelists, it doesn't bother me what other people use. Good luck to them.

You tried calling me ignorant by claiming I needed to try Win 10 before talking about it. When I then suggested my tech background you switched to calling me a fool. Putting aside your immature personal attacks for the moment, why does it bother you so much that others do not feel like you do about Windows 10?