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General discussion

Why Change from a setup you like in the first place?

Sep 17, 2015 8:11AM PDT

After spending the last couple of days reading Various Pro/Con statements, questions and even Rants (justifiable in my opinion) I have decided that I will be keeping my Win 7 Desktop and will also forgo the upgrade options on my Win 8,1 Desktop and my wife's Win 8.1 Laptop.

Too many incompatibilities, too many driver issues, Far too much tweaking to make your machines perform the way you are used to and comfortable with.... already. Biggest concern... automatic updates and system changes in the name of 'improved security'.

My wife said I could use her Laptop to evaluate this System so I made a System Image backup on Wife's laptop but now have reservations is that would be enough.

I only want to be able to Start my machines smoothly, watch my movies when I want and occasionally browse the Net to see what's going on in the world.

My Win 7 machine, connected to my large-screen TV... is perfect for that. Why would I even consider changing that? People say it involves 'security issues' Whose? Turning your computer into a 'Botnet' computer by using File-sharing techniques to retrieve updates faster, placing all of your information into a 'cloud' and allowing a company to track, catalog and trace every piece of information you own with little-to-no choice is all 'Improvement', More secure? Of course the Tech-Savy users know ways to work around these thing but the average user just want to turn on their machine and use their purchased programs without jumping through hoops. Most will never even know what the 'New, Improved, OS is actually doing. "Ignorance is Bliss".

Hey... If keeping up with the newest, supposedly fastest is what you want... it's your choice. I'm over 60 yrs old and have my computers and my wife's working exactly the way we want. I can use them while disconnected from the net if need be and turn-on security before reconnecting if there seems a need.

Nothing is 'Free' in this world without some agenda. It seems that MS has found a way to recruit several Million 'volunteers' to contribute their private information and shopping/browsing habits with this move. BRAVO MS.. smart move. For now though... I think I will pass.

Discussion is locked

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Why I changed or rather added 10 to the collection.
Sep 17, 2015 8:16AM PDT

As our office writes apps we need to be sure our apps work on Windows 7, 8.x and 10.

However we don't use the email login and the privacy issues you note are now an issue with phones and more. Look up Lavabit and why it closed if you need more than what's out there already. Apple? Well, that's a done deal.

-> If you want to be more secure and not leak so much, would you consider TAILS? It's so good that government agencies call it's users "extremists."

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It does look interesting
Sep 19, 2015 8:16PM PDT

I did some short research and this option does look worth researching more. Thank you for the suggestion.

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I don't see anything wrong with that thinking.
Sep 17, 2015 10:16AM PDT

For the longest time I use use nothing but win2k but I finally had to let it go when the application I want no longer support it. Win7 I am pretty sure will be here for awhile.

But on the other side..I have upgraded all the computers I have to win10 already, because it was FREE.

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MS doesn't need to collect your data
Sep 18, 2015 5:27AM PDT

they just need to ask Google for it.

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Yes, you are right.
Sep 19, 2015 8:10PM PDT

They already do this if you happen to log-in to Windows Live (Whatever it is called now) and try any 'Parental Controls' options. I did this a couple of years ago and did not realize that this was the reason I now have a default search engine called 'Safesearch' (I thought I was hacked by hi-jacker). It not only scrubs what results you get searching, it also is set as default and cannot be changed. Even by MS 'Fix-it' programs supposedly designed to do just that..they say. It's the unchangeable default engine I don't like.

I know any and all search-engine records searches, catalogs and reports results to Ad companies to 'tailor' spam e-mails sent to your box. This practice has been the norm for years. What I am speaking of goes way farther. ANY and EVERYTHING you do, read, post or view online is cataloged in some way for use at their choice. But as you say.. this is true with just about any online contact thru Phones, tablets, game systems and more. The only way to prevent this is to completely 'drop off the grid' ! Not yet ready for that but I am getting close. Thanks for your reply though.