Why I Don't Upgrade Windows

[TromboneAl]

I've tricked Windows into not doing automatic upgrades by telling I was on a metered wifi connection.

But on my daughter's wifi, it downloaded and installed the upgrade without my permission. As a result, all of the start menu icons I'd laboriously created and organized were gone.

Fortunately, I was able to go back to the earlier version.

 

[jim584672]

I like the flipping, scrolling, and flashing. Sort of like a circus for your desktop.

I would be afraid of security problems by not updating.

 

[Midpack]

I would be afraid of security problems by not updating.

+1, on all our connected devices.

 

[DEC-1982]

I would be afraid of security problems by not updating.

+2

I should be more careful with the wording. I meant that I update in the same major version, I don't upgrade to Windows 10.

 

[sengsational]

Windows 7 will be supported for several more years. Even Windows XP imbedded is still being supported. Microsoft's old OS model didn't build-in slimeball personal information acquisition, like mobile OS's do, so they needed to force people to upgrade using any means available. TA... search "never ten".

 

[W2R]

I've tricked Windows into not doing automatic upgrades by telling I was on a metered wifi connection.

But on my daughter's wifi, it downloaded and installed the upgrade without my permission. As a result, all of the start menu icons I'd laboriously created and organized were gone.

Fortunately, I was able to go back to the earlier version.

Good heavens, Al! That is definitely an unusual start menu appearance. Or at least, it sure looks different from mine.

My start menu has all those small icons (on the left of your graphic, from top to bottom), and then just 5 bigger icons. Usually I never use the start menus, and instead start programs from shortcuts located either on my desktop or in folders on my desktop. The latter is an old habit left over from Windows 3.1 .

I always update immediately now that I am using Windows 10. I figure that Microsoft has already got me in their clutches, so I'd better comply and update now like a good customer. It hasn't been a problem for me.

 

[jim584672]

You will all be assimilated.

 

[Senator]

Switch to Desktop mode, rather than Tablet mode. That will solve the rearranging issue. And you get the familiar windows desktop.

 

[Bamaman]

I have my Windows 10 looking like an older version--like 8.1.

It is nice to keep things simple and familiar.

 

[donheff]

I don't want to pick and choose in case I miss a key security update so I just let Win 10 do it's think. I haven't had any problems. I don't maintain any finicky obscure programs anymore that might be likely to to run into conflicts/

 

[aja8888]

Speaking of Windows 10, I am finally done with it. Too much of the same thing that everyone's dealing with through the obnoxious unannounced updating. Plus it's a memory hog and keeps removing my Classic Shell on any update. I also have to go back in and undo all the information collecting defaults it is loaded with.

I revived my old work computer that I built 10 years ago (really 10?) and added some RAM, a bigger SCSI drive and she relives again on Windows 7 Professional. I'm good for a long haul here now.

For backup (not really back up as with "files"), I have my wonderful and very mobile Chromebook.

 

[CaptTom]

I've been on Windows ever since version 3.1, when MegaCorp first got it. Back then the workstations actually ran DOS, and booted up to a Windows version that resided on the server.

I think this will be my last Windows computer. Not really sure I need all the "business" type software that kept me there all these years. In fact, software in general just isn't worth investing any time or effort into any more. It's all so transient.

I'll never buy an Apple product, so I'm thinking I'll look at some Android- or Unix-based system when I need to buy hardware again. It's getting so it doesn't really matter any more. I'd probably be OK with just a cell phone or tablet, but I find the laptop form factor, with a full keyboard, much easier for me. I'm a touch typist. I'll probably be the last one still alive some day.

 

[sengsational]

You and me, Tom, except I might get an older Apple, but just as a developer work station

 

[jim584672]

The only reason I keep Win 10 on a boot drive is for Turbotax. Virtualbox is an option if you want to try out a new OS within Windows. SSDs are a great way to add an additional OS to your system and do a multi boot setup.

 

[easysurfer]

The only reason I keep Win 10 on a boot drive is for Turbotax. Virtualbox is an option if you want to try out a new OS within Windows. SSDs are a great way to add an additional OS to your system and do a multi boot setup.

I need Windows for Turbotax and annual Garmin map updates. I'm still on Win 7 and am in no rush to update to Win 10 for the main reason of the too often updates.

 

[ejman]

I could not get the HP wireless printer to work on my wife's laptop after the latest Win 10 update. I wasted two days and after all kinds of rabbit holes in researching and implementing "solutions" from HP, microsoft, trying all kinds of drivers etc etc I gave up and installed Linux Mint XFCE on her laptop. Problem solved. Printer problem? one click Linux recognized the printer printed test page and we are good.

 

[RetiredGypsy]

Microsoft extended lifecycle so far has Windows 7 going into 2020. I'll take it.

 

[meierlde]

The only reason I keep Win 10 on a boot drive is for Turbotax. Virtualbox is an option if you want to try out a new OS within Windows. SSDs are a great way to add an additional OS to your system and do a multi boot setup.

Virtual box is also an option to run older os and software on a new os. If you like WFW 3.11 you can run it in virtual box including the networking.

 

[gauss]

Still using XP at our house with no security problems yet. May switch over to W7 soon.

-gauss

 

[sengsational]

I've got an XP that gets updates because I flipped the embedded bit.
My main desktop is Win7 Pro. But my next machine will be some Unix variety.

 

[TromboneAl]

I first rejected the Start menu but came to like it. 90 percent of my stuff can be done via the icons on the taskbar.

It's fun to choose icons and organize things.

 

[TromboneAl]

Now, every day I have to click "Remind me later" in a window that tells me to upgrade.

I've tried backing up the start menu (which was not easy), so maybe I'll try the upgrade again.

I have multiple local and cloud backups of all my files. Over the years I've spent many hours dealing with post-upgrade problems. Zero hours dealing with security-related problems.

 

[H2ODude]

I've been a mac user since late nineties; retired 6 years so lost all my geek contacts. Used to be a heavy excel user but that was about limit of my computer knowledge.

Alas, I love me my Quicken for tracking expense, but have no need for it w investment tracking as it's all over on Fido now. I TRIED once to get Q for Mac but it was all goobered up in translation, so I've continued to emulate the PC on a Mac just for Quicken. Upgraded Mac about 6 years ago, old one sits there with an old version of Windows running on VM Fusion. Used to have to upgrade Q, or VMF, or Windows every so often. Now I just let the unit sit there unconnected to internet and figure when something dies I'll just buy a cheap MS laptop and not connect to internet for security; and run it as my Windows/Quicken unit. Also has the advantage of not slowing the other machine down since the VMF seems to hog a lot; problem when doing photo programs like Lightroom.

 

[jim584672]

Reminder, today is the last day to upgrade to Win 10.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/windows10upgrade

 

[Dawg52]

I need Windows for Turbotax and annual Garmin map updates. I'm still on Win 7 and am in no rush to update to Win 10 for the main reason of the too often updates.

Same here. If it wasn't for TT, I wouldn't even own a Windows machine. I do just fine with my Chromebook. One of these days I'm going to be brave enough to try an online version.