Upgrading to Windows 10

[bigjim8499]

X2 on the Ubuntu Linux. Now easy to learn probably easier than Windoze 10
Jim E

[MSHappyCampers]

My main laptop is a Dell E6540 with Windows 7 Professional, Core I7 processor and 16Gb RAM that I bought refurbished a couple of years ago. I don't want to replace it anytime soon.

You guys have given me a lot to absorb here! Thank you again for your comments! I'm still listening......

[Dav L]

Upgrade to Win10. There will always be folks that have problems no matter what the OS or version. There are many millions using this product.

Win10 is the best OS for desktop use.
If you have Win7, it won't be a huge learning curve.
Upgrades were free. I assume there are still ways to do free.

This one is a no brainer IMHO.

For me, I don't typically upgrade...I install clean and reinstall my apps. Gets rid of any trace of a virus or hickup. Brandy new.
Best is to buy a new SSD drive double the size of whatever you are using now and install to that.

[bruceisla]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

My main laptop is a Dell E6540 with Windows 7 Professional, Core I7 processor and 16Gb RAM that I bought refurbished a couple of years ago. I don't want to replace it anytime soon.

You guys have given me a lot to absorb here! Thank you again for your comments! I'm still listening......

I guess the question is:
Why do YOU want to change to Win10 ... what will be YOUR gain? It's really about the benefit to you ... not others.

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by bruceisla

I guess the question is:
Why do YOU want to change to Win10 ... what will be YOUR gain? It's really about the benefit to you ... not others.

I'm just concerned that Microsoft will no longer be supporting the system. I use Bitdefender antivirus software which so far has kept me out of trouble, frequently warning me about sites that are not secure.

[docj]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

I'm just concerned that Microsoft will no longer be supporting the system. I use Bitdefender antivirus software which so far has kept me out of trouble, frequently warning me about sites that are not secure.

Anti-virus programs aren't a substitute for vulnerability patches provided by Microsoft. They protect against two very different things. What Microsoft's security patches do is protect against identified vulnerabilities in the software itself. That's very different from protecting against a virus or other malware.

As I said in my previous post, Windows 7 will continue to be safe until someone somewhere discovers an as yet unknown vulnerability in the Windows platform or some of its drivers. Can I say for sure that such a vulnerability will be found? Of course not, but based on historic precedent it would seem inevitable.

Normally, such vulnerabilities are patched by Microsoft either on a routine or urgent basis, depending on the severity of the risk. But after Microsoft ends such support there will be no one to create the patches. No doubt hackers will target unprotected Windows 7 systems because they will be easy pickings.

The more I've thought about your situation the more I've come to agree with the posts that have recommended that you simply purchase a new computer with Windows 10 already on it. Your existing computer is, no doubt, significantly less powerful than the inexpensive Asus laptop I bought last year for my wife for ~$500 on Amazon. As I recall it came with an Intel Core i5 and 8GB of RAM. I've fitted it with an SSD to replace the HDD and it is nearly as fast as my Dell with a one year older Core i7 and 16GB of RAM. Getting a new machine will ensure that all the hardware is Windows 10 compatible and will avoid having to download drivers for your existing hardware.

Joel (AKA docj)

[wildtoad]

Find a teenager (or at least someone under 40) and ask them to upgrade your computers to Windows 10, but.... You want it to look like Windows 7 user interface. While you’re at it get them to show you how to do the things you did before. For those with a long history of running Windows, and a software background moving from 7 to 10 fairly easy, and the benefits are numerous. I have two Microsoft Surface tablets running 10 and they work fine every time I bring them out, dust them off, and have to do something that only runs on Windows. But mostly I’ve converted everything to IOS and use iPhone or iPad to do all that I need to do.

[az99]

Originally Posted by knightstorm

Use metered connections.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...-in-windows-10

That is great but the 1st time you connect to a WIFI that you have not setup as metered it will try to start downloading. Ask me how I know.
You have to remember to go into settings and add every WIFI you try to connect to.

[PbdBlue]

Originally Posted by knightstorm

Use metered connections.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...-in-windows-10

+1. That's what I do with my RV pc's. No updates unless you want them. As far as upgrading to Win 10 I have upgraded everything I own except one very old laptop (Dell with a duo core) and had no issues. In my experience Win 10 has been a very stable platform but yes there is a slight learning curve to it and some people are unwilling to adapt. So be it.

[Tom in Ohio]

Originally Posted by Lit

I maintain 5 PC's, 4 have Windows 7 the newest PC is 1 year old it has Win 10. Repeating was already said "I can never find anything on it" that is very frustrating for me, it also seems to boot slower. Some of my older programs will not run on Win 10 no matter what I do. I use my PC to send and receive E-mail and to browse the net I don't plan on upgrading all my PC's, because I don't care for the new system...Oh, yesterday the PC with Win 10 crashed so I may never use it again. Some people like it, some people don't! Maybe it's time to use my Mac.

Mac Pro

[docj]

Originally Posted by docj

Anti-virus programs aren't a substitute for vulnerability patches provided by Microsoft. They protect against two very different things. What Microsoft's security patches do is protect against identified vulnerabilities in the software itself. That's very different from protecting against a virus or other malware.

As I said in my previous post, Windows 7 will continue to be safe until someone somewhere discovers an as yet unknown vulnerability in the Windows platform or some of its drivers. Can I say for sure that such a vulnerability will be found? Of course not, but based on historic precedent it would seem inevitable.

Normally, such vulnerabilities are patched by Microsoft either on a routine or urgent basis, depending on the severity of the risk. But after Microsoft ends such support there will be no one to create the patches. No doubt hackers will target unprotected Windows 7 systems because they will be easy pickings.

As an example, here's an article that discusses a vulnerability that was fixed in this month's Windows security update. What I found particularly interesting was that it exploited an aspect of the Windows code that essentially has been the same since Windows XP.

No doubt, your Windows 7 will have (or already has) received an update to correct this vulnerability, but, after Microsoft stops its support of Win 7, that won't happen.

https://arstechnica.com/information-...sed-this-week/

[Alan_Hepburn]

I worked in the computer industry (CAD Support for a major IC Manufacturer) for decades and we used Redhat linux for all our engineering needs - the administration side of the company used Windows. So our linux boxes had to run Vmware so we could communicate with each other! Anyway, our home computers all ran Windows, until W10 came out. My current laptop was an 8.1 box, and I tolerated it, but I refused to upgrade to 10 - I loaded up Ubuntu linux and used it for a while, but then I fould Mint Cinammon linux - it is a Windows lookalike so my wife is comfortable with it, but has all the advantages of all the linux offerings.


I set up this laptop as a dual-boot system, with the original Windows 8.1, just so I can still run the very few programs that do not run in linux, and whenever I have to boot it up in Windows it complains about having updates that need to be downloaded - I usually ignore them! With linux I can update when I want, not when "they" want!

[lo-tek]

"MY MACHINE WORKS PERFECTLY NOW, IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT."

If you're running Windows 7, your machine ain't "ain't broke." It's a wide open giant malware-sucking vacuum. You are bound to get p0wn3d. Upgrade.

From: https://www.zdnet.com/article/i-like...to-windows-10/

[MSHappyCampers]

OK, you guys have convinced me! I will convert to Windows 10.

If I suddenly disappear from IRV2 (which would make some folks very happy) you will know I'm out there in never-never land fighting to get Windows 10 to work on my machines!

I will carefully read the links you have provided and may have more questions before starting. Hope you will be willing to help me through this!