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General discussion

After reading the negative comments about Windows 10

Aug 19, 2015 4:30PM PDT

I have decided I am gong to keep my laptop with Windows 8.1 until it is no longer supported by Microsoft. My understanding is that Microsoft will support Windows 8.1 for another 5 years at least.

I just don't want to take any chances of upgrading my computer with Windows 10 and having the same problems that people are describing here in the forum.

Discussion is locked

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If it ain't broken
Aug 21, 2015 3:51PM PDT

"If it ain broken don't fix i.t" is how how see it
I'm happy with my Windows 7 and no reason to switch to 10.

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I agree with you...
Aug 21, 2015 4:28PM PDT

I wish Microsoft was smart and bring back Windows 7. Unfortunately, Microsoft support for Windows 7 will only last for another three years.

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Last I read...
Aug 21, 2015 4:34PM PDT

Extended support Win 7 was 2020.
Dafydd.
Edited by mod to correct error.

Post was last edited on August 21, 2015 4:41 PM PDT

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and who knows...
Aug 21, 2015 4:44PM PDT

by 2020, Microsoft will have a new OS that is absolutely stupendous...

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Just checked on Amazon.com
Aug 21, 2015 4:36PM PDT

And I can buy Windows 7 still. I see another reply it's EOL is 2020.

So why bring it back when it never went away?

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So true...
Aug 21, 2015 4:45PM PDT

so true.

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One more thing...
Aug 21, 2015 4:47PM PDT

I was referring to replacing Windows 10 with Windows 7 since everyone is in agreement it is the best OS...

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Take your time
Aug 21, 2015 8:31PM PDT

We have until July 2016 to get the free upgrade, so there is no need to rush. Wait until the majority of people quit complaining (there will always be some gripers) and MS fixes the major bugs - about December or January.
Before beginning the upgrade, make sure you do a system image. I just used Macrium Reflect Free, V6, to install an OS on a new drive. I can't tell the difference between the two drives. Just be sure to make the Recovery Disc before you do the image. The Recovery Disc will fit on a standard CD. My Win 7 image is 26G, so would have needed a DVD, except I put it on an external HD. Other options are available, depending on what your computer supports.
Following this method, if you have serious problems with Win 10, you can easily go back to what you had and not lose anything.

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Good idea
Aug 24, 2015 4:52AM PDT

I know 5 people with Laptops that tried Windows 10 and wish they hadn't. Like i said before if your not having problems with Windows 7 or 8.1 don't be in a hurry to be a beta tester for Microsoft's Windows 10. We have a free year for them to fix 10.

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Honestly...
Aug 24, 2015 5:25AM PDT

after having the chance to see Windows 10 in action at a computer store, I honestly have to say, what is the big deal? There is no wow factor...it is just a different look of an operating system. Two major parts of the OS are highlighted...Cortana and working with xbox. I don't have xbox and I rather use Google than Cortana. BTW, Windows 10 is no longer in a beta mode since PC's are being sold with Windows 10.

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Any Alternatives?
Aug 24, 2015 5:25AM PDT

Heard a lot of users concerns regarding Privacy options in Win 10...
But, wait! You, guys, read all agreements before installing it?
If yes - then you knew the options.
And if you don't like it - switch to alternative OS, smth linux-based.

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With LInux...
Aug 24, 2015 5:31AM PDT

it is not user friendly. Sure, if you are computer savvy no problem, but there are many who are not technically inclined to fully understand and usage of computers.

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Here's a note from 10 years ago.
Aug 24, 2015 9:01AM PDT
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PS. Android has Linux underneath.
Aug 24, 2015 9:16AM PDT

So would you say 1 billion users plus are well, what would you say?

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It is now 2015...
Aug 24, 2015 12:32PM PDT

What is the latest for Knoppix? Would you say, it is better than Windows?

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Have you tried Mint Linux lately?
Aug 24, 2015 12:50PM PDT

Depending on what you use a computer for, Mint Linux is very much like Windows. It has Firefox for Internet, LibreOffice as an MS Office compatible office suite, and Thunderbird for email. And the user interface is so much like Windows I'd say anyone who can use Windows could use Mint. The inhibitors are Windows legacy programs (e.g. Quicken) and a small percentage of devices.

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If Linux is a superior OS...
Aug 24, 2015 1:35PM PDT

Why do people continue using Windows and why aren't computers being sold with Linux?

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Since you replied to MY post...
Aug 24, 2015 1:57PM PDT

...first off I never said it was superior because I don't believe it's quite ready for everyone. However for somebody with a 10 year old computer running XP, it could very well be superior to Windows 10. For starters Windows 10 probably wouldn't run on a lot of old computers whereas Linux is more likely to do so. Secondly Linux is free; that's not the case for someone with XP or Vista. I already mentioned legacy program compatibility and incompatibility for some devices. E.g. I have a Canon IP1600 and Samsung ML-1600 printer that weren't recognized by Mint 17.1, and I haven't tried my old Canon scanner.
So bottom line it's a complicated scenario as to whether it's suited to a given computer or not. If you want guaranteed 100% compatibility for new PC, you're more likely to get it with Windows. But if you want a free alternative to an old XP computer, you should probably try Linux if you aren't going to buy a new computer.

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I have a new computer
Aug 24, 2015 2:05PM PDT

therefore, it looks like I will stick with Windows, but I would like to buy a laptop with Linux if possible. Or, is Linux is used only for older computers?

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Here's what I'd in your situation.
Aug 24, 2015 2:14PM PDT

I'd download Mint Linux and burn it to a DVD. Start here:
http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=174 . Then you can boot from the DVD in about 3 minutes without having to install anything on your hard drive and be up and running with it. Then you can examine it for yourself, and reboot back to Windows whenever you wish.
That will allow you to familiarize yourself with it without having to change anything with Windows or jeopardize your new computer warranty.
`
Good luck.

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Good Idea...
Aug 24, 2015 2:39PM PDT

I didn't think of that. Thank you! Now, I do have a laptop that crashed and that is why I have a new laptop since the virus destroyed the booting for Windows 8.1. Can I boot the program on that laptop?

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(NT) Should work as long as the hardware works.
Aug 24, 2015 2:49PM PDT
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Linux Mint website...
Aug 24, 2015 3:18PM PDT

I am looking at the list of mirrors to download the program from...which mirror would you recommend?

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(NT) I go with whichever is closest geographically.
Aug 24, 2015 4:36PM PDT
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As do I.
Aug 24, 2015 4:47PM PDT

Dafydd.

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Windows 10 has too many 3rd party apps
Nov 28, 2015 1:54PM PST

I have had it with Windows. It's not that it doesn't work but so many apps (which I have no idea how they got on my machines) are loaded that I don't need, want and have to be bothered with.

All I do on the machine is build web sites and optimize them. I'd like to install 7 on it and forget about 10. Could I do it or is the machine built for win 10 only?
Sad in Georgia

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Hard to say.
Nov 28, 2015 1:58PM PST

No machine info or history.
Dafydd.

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Re: Windows 7
Nov 28, 2015 2:03PM PST

On the makers site, see if you can download Windows 7 drivers for all components. Then you can buy Windows 7 and install it.

What apps are you talking about, and why not move them away from the start screen, so you don't see them?

Kees

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I'm going to write.
Nov 28, 2015 2:08PM PST

Get over it. At the office we had a fellow that couldn't stand 10. And all his job entailed was using Visual Studio. He didn't last long. Our apps had to run on 10 (and back to 7.) So we run on the current OS to make sure we're good.

In your case, W10 gets you access to Edge and IE that can emulate IE 9 to 11. As a web builder you'd want that.