I keep getting notice boxes, to change to Windows 10. I ignore them because Im an IT wimp , but perhaps I should do it before they decide to start charging for it - so , do people think the vast majority of any gliches or teething troubles it had, have been resolved ? Any ideas as to how much longer it will be free?
If Windows 10 was supplied by any other company, it would be classed as Spyware. It "Phones Home" in over 30 different ways, passing your private data to Microsoft's servers. If you're comfortable with that, then go ahead, install it. If like me you prefer to keep your data and surfing habits private, then you might want to read the following link.....
http://www.howtogeek.com/224616/30-ways-windows-10-phones-home/Also if you decide to install it, you can do a few other things to make it more like you want it. see here....
http://www.howtogeek.com/t/windows10/If you decide you don't want the Windows 10 update at all, you can stop that annoying icon in the system tray and reclaim 3GB of you hard drive space by uninstalling windows update KB3035583 then hiding the update then removing GWX.exe from the Windows System 32 folder.
If you're not comfortable doing that, then follow instructions here ....
http://www.howtogeek.com/228551/how...m-downloading-windows-10-automatically/. Good luck
Ive had it for a few months now and its gotten much better over time. My computer was previously W7 and i've noticed since upgrading to W10 that its got much quicker load times.
Plus habdab saying it gives your private data to MS, behave, it feeds back any errors or glitches that it may encounter behind the scenes so they can fix them in a patch. I'm not sure if your "personal data" (bank stuff or facebook password) is any care or concern to microsoft's servers...
Thank you Habdab - it looks like its quite invasive even to my IT shy eye. Ive only had a chance so far to flick through the links you sent , so superficially , my impression is that windows 10 is being downloaded in parts, regardless ? Is that right?It also says the reason is 'incase I want to change to it' Does that mean that I can remain with my windows 7 with no problems if I want to?
Stick with Windows 7! Windows 10 is full of Permanent spyware as Habdad said!
Its the most intrusive Version of windows yet!
No wonder Microsoft are are giving it away for free to Windows 7/8 and hounding everyone to upgrade all the time!
God knows what they are upto with everyones private information, but im sure they are making a few quid from selling info for starters.
Just follow Habdads advice or if that is too much messing around then download "GWX CONTROL PANEL" and disable the Windows 10 pestering update "Begging" reminders!
CLICKY
Behave yourself! your bank account details might not be of interest to Microsoft, but your surfing habits certainly are, They tailor adds to suit your habits.
If you wish to sacrifice your privacy for a few seconds saved on boot up time, then go ahead. (More fool you).
Oh I forgot to mention earlier, this wonderful upgrade also shares YOUR WiFi password with any and all Outlook, Skype and Facebook contacts who also use Win 10.
Cool huh?
Any Tom Dick or Harry gets to use your WiFi for free.
Before anyone decides to contradict me, the "Service is called WiFI Sense.
https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/07/28/windows-10-wifi-sharing/
Venice, you can stay with Windows 7 for as long as you wish. You are NOT obliged to upgrade. Windows tactics are tantamount to bullying. If you follow the links I sent, you can stop that nagging icon in your task bar and prevent it from popping up again.
However.... The offer of a free upgrade runs out on the July 29th, 2016. If you wish to upgrade after that date, you'll be charged to do so.
Having said all I have about Windows 10, I have to say that basically it's a good operating system. (Apart from the Phone home tactics and a few other problems, like no choice about updates) There has been a service pack issued that fixes a lot of the teething troubles it first shipped with. Personally, If I was going to install it, I'd wait until July 28th 2016. By that time things should have improved.
In answer to your question about it being download in parts... it's a 3GB+ download that Microsoft download to your hard drive "In case" you might decide to upgrade. You get no choice over this (Another bullying tactic). Personally I'd sooner have the 3GB space on my HDD to do with as I please. I paid for that HDD space, not Microsoft!.
To be fair, if you do upgrade to Windows 10, you can roll back to Windows 7 fairly easily, but to be honest, a fresh install to a freshly formatted HDD works much better and with fewer problems than just an upgrade from WIn 7. so if you follow that route, you can't "Roll back". You could always make a disk image first though.
No matter what I say about it, it boils down to one thing and one thing only, personal choice. If it works for you.... Great! if you like more control over your OS, then not so great!
At the end of the day, it's your choice. but make sure you have ALL the facts fist.
In Reply to Salmon,
If you close your eyes when you see the bogyman, does he go away?
I've got the "upgrade" version and it's absolutely fine. Far better than 8.1. Everything is working fast and smooth. Highly recommended.
Wrt WiFi Sense; note the line near the bottom "Realistically, the risks are small and yet to be proven". IE, it's just paranoid crap for the anti Win 10 brigade.
I'd love to know what malicious activities Microsoft are purported to get up to with the data they glean? There are something like 200 million installations of windows 10, that makes any individual pretty anonymous.
I now realise why so many people walk around with hoodies and sunglasses - just in case someone is tracking them.
Almost every website you go on you are tracked by google and various other companies. If you don't want to be seen on the internet, don't go on the internet, just like the real world (if you don't want to be seen visiting lilo lil, don't go there).
If you don't sign on to a microsoft account, things like wifi sense don't do anything. If you take the trouble to go through the security and privacy settings then very little information is leaked.
Microsoft have a European ruling on what data they are allowed to use and what they aren't, they are unlikely to breach that intentionally as they know they will end up with more restrictions put on them again.
Windows 7 is now less secure to malicious activity than Windows 10, microsoft are definitely one organisation that are not going to cause you harm compared to many others.
In Reply to Salmon,
If you close your eyes when you see the bogyman, does he go away?
Good news there is no such thing as the bogyman.
Oh I forgot to mention earlier, this wonderful upgrade also shares YOUR WiFi password with any and all Outlook, Skype and Facebook contacts who also use Win 10.
Cool huh?
Any Tom Dick or Harry gets to use your WiFi for free.
Before anyone decides to contradict me, the "Service is called WiFI Sense.
https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/07/28/windows-10-wifi-sharing/ This is WiFi Sense which is not on by default.
Thanks very much everyone . All sounds so complicated. Not to worry , I think on balance Ill wait till nearer the pay up time , re read all this and maybe have a go when my son in law is around to bail me out when I get stuck! My pc IS loading slowly, but I can live with that for now - sounds as if most of the gliches will be gone by the time they charge .
I'm holding on Win7 until July and I'll
research the situation then. Win 7 works well
so no big incentive to change at present although
many people report an improvement in speed with Win10.
Let me just say this: There's no such thing as a free lunch.
In return for getting Win10 free, you sign over your privacy to M$ lock, stock and barrel. They'll track your surfing habits (visited Pornhub recently?), scan every email you send and receive, scan all your documents, spreadsheets, and databases for information they can use to target adverts at you. They will also sell this information on to third parties. Windows 10 also displays adverts. This is low-key to begin with but will get more and more intrusive.
You explicitly AGREE to all this when you install it.
IMO, you would have to be mad to install it.
Read this to find out what information MS is taking from your computer:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/02/24/windows_10_telemetry/
I wouldn't say it has, as strange things are going on with one client.
Im running it on my laptop, but not my main pc.
Which is my bread and butter.
If your unsure, hold off, your not missing much.
Let me just say this: There's no such thing as a free lunch.
In return for getting Win10 free, you sign over your privacy to M$ lock, stock and barrel. They'll track your surfing habits (visited Pornhub recently?), scan every email you send and receive, scan all your documents, spreadsheets, and databases for information they can use to target adverts at you. They will also sell this information on to third parties. Windows 10 also displays adverts. This is low-key to begin with but will get more and more intrusive.
You explicitly AGREE to all this when you install it.
IMO, you would have to be mad to install it.
Not at all, you give away a lot more when you open a Microsoft account, Google account, Bank accounts, utilities and many others. As I stated above, Microsoft have specific controls over what they are allowed to do, in addition to standard legislation.
Its not free, you have to have a valid paid-for licence to use it, implementing Windows 10 as a "free" upgrade will save Microsoft load of money in the long run and that is why they are doing it. The extended XP support they were forced to continue for many years cost Microsoft a lot of money, they have learnt their lesson.
Windows 7 will become less secure to malicious attacks as time goes on, why on earth would you let that happen?
What makes me laugh is that about 50% of internet users use Google Chrome whilst moaning about microsoft - google are the world leaders in tracking.
What do you think Microsoft is going to do with your data that is so precarious?
Give me back Win XP anytime! I am on Win 7 now, but hate Microsoft taking over where I want to store my files etc (I am from the DOS era).
I might consider Win 10 before the offer finishes, but only after reading all the reviews on bugs etc! But somehow don't think I will bother.
Got used to Windows 10 but it's that Edge that's giving me the screaming doodads. A lot of things aren't compatible with it e.g. can only log onto here by going via my BT link, can't get on from Edge. And so it goes on.
Edge does have compatibility issues, because Microsoft always want to do it there way, but no one listens anymore as there are new kids on the block now.
Quick answer install chrome it just works
Hi again. Are there any further problems / developments on windows 10 I should consider please since the last postings in Feb? Have to decide this week whether to allow it or not whilst its free.
I know I can continue to use W7 , but for how long -- will it just get problematic and more prone to being attacked by viruses? Will certain functions just stop working? Will my Security Essentials still continue to be compatible with it ?
Is it likely Windows will have brought in W 11 or something free before my W7 is completely useless?
I went Win7 to Win10 a couple of months ago. Generally it is OK.
I find start up is a lot quicker and most things work as well as
they did on Win7. There are a few niggles eg Win10 does not seem to
remember the size of a window you used on a previous session so
you have to adjust the size each time. On balance, it's a positive
move. Allow a couple of hours for the swop over and back up your
stuff beforehand.
Thanks Wally, thats promising .
Perhaps I should add that I changed quite a few
things that they push on Win10 to be more like
Win7. I don't use Edge or Cortana and I have
minimised the square tablet look as much as possible.
Before changing I Googled for help with the change
over process and there are sites that will "walk
you through" the change giving advice on which
settings to apply when the process requested your
input.
eg.
http://www.howtogeek.com/225048/how-to-upgrade-from-windows-7-or-8-to-windows-10-right-now/Also switch off all the options that allow gathering
of data.
Good Luck!