Windows 10?

[Isegrim]

Originally Posted by Rick Danger

... Windows 10 also ditched some features that some users relied on. Most notably, it doesn't include Media Center. So Windows no longer has the built-in ability to play DVDs or tune in or record television programs. Microsoft is offering a separate app to play DVDs for free to some users who upgrade to Windows 10, but others have to pay $15 for it...

I think most people have noticed yet that I don't like Microsoft all to much ... But come on, anyone willing to pay $15 for Media Center or another app to play DVDs should lose his right to vote immediately. Using Google search is basic computer knowledge and 'free download' is the phrase most often used on the web. What kind of crash dummies are Windows 10 users?

[Rick Danger]

My Father used to say "If I have to tell you something more than twice, you're in trouble".

Don't look now, but here comes trouble again. With just over a week left in the "free" Windows 10 upgrade offer, ONCE AGAIN Microsoft has released KB3035583, the "Get Windows 10" app as an "Important Update".

I have lost track of how many times KB3035583 has been included as part of Windows Update. How many times I had to block this one update. No, it's not old age or too much liquor. But once again, Microsoft seems to think that anyone who hasn't upgraded to Windows 10 must be living under a rock somewhere.

Originally Posted by Isegrim

What kind of crash dummies are Windows 10 users?

Apparently our friends at Redmond are looking to turn every Windows device into a cash register. Pay to subscribe to Groove Music. Pay to subscribe to the Movies and TV app. Pay to subscribe to Microsoft Office. Pay to subscribe to the ad-free version of Solitaire. Remember when OneDrive was a free, unlimited service? And the possibility that Windows 10 may also become a subscription service. Can you image if you have two or more computers in your home?

Again, Millennials may not mind being nickle-and-dimed to death. As Mr. Isegrim points out, why pay Microsoft for content when you have easy access to the largest repository of music, film, literature, and art in the history of mankind? Millennials may not mind having to wade through advertisements each time they run an application. Or object to having to pay to access watered-down apps that are more appropriate to a cell phone than a PC with multiple processors and tons of memory and storage.

For me, a computer is a tool, not a cell phone or cable TV box with a keyboard............

Vive La France!

[Isegrim]

Originally Posted by Byegone Daze

... Who knows what the next move is? Maybe Windows 10 will actually work right? Those guys are making Apple Macbook look better all the time!

No need to discuss the idea of a working Windows 10. That's to far off ...
The greatest rival of Windows today is probably Linux. So wouldn't it be real devilish (read: MS-like) to make their next non-operating system a Linux derivate with 'compatibility' to existing Windows software (taking in consideration, of course, Microsofts strange ideas of compatibility). That would immediately cut the throat of all their rivals ...

[dorcelfan]

So I've got 9 days to go before my free upgrade expires and I'm still undecided. I really only use this laptop to play a few games, watch the odd movie on VLC player and surf the net using Firefox.
My files are all on an external HD sooo my question is - is it worth doing? Can I get a Go / No Go from those in the know!

Regards

D

[pigulici]

I have w10, frm 4 month on home and 2 months on job, it is ok for me, feel better than w7...

[Isegrim]

Originally Posted by dorcelfan

... I really only use this laptop to play a few games, ...

This is the crucial point.You should ensure your games are really compatible with Windows 10 or you have possibly to expect a bad surprise (and I suppose on a laptop you are probably not playing the newest high end games that are hungry for graphic ressources).
I am using XP 95% of the time (and Windows 7 for the rest) and since 2014 I am experiencing less security problems than ever (so all the wise guys on the net warn you about still going online with XP) ... Draw your own conclussions.

[Rick Danger]

Originally Posted by Dorcelfan

So I've got 9 days to go before my free upgrade expires and I'm still undecided......sooo my question is - is it worth doing? Can I get a Go / No Go from those in the know!

I'd have to vote "NO GO".

It would be nice to know how old your computer is and which version of Windows you are running. But remember that Windows 7 doesn't go off support until 2020, Windows 8.1 until 2023.

If your computer hardware is older than three years, I wouldn't try upgrading. Too much chatter about the "hit or miss" upgrade history on older machines - and peripherals. Also, the rollback is not foolproof. Your PC may upgrade, but if the driver(s) for your external hard drive(s) gets deleted and/or won't reinstall under Windows 10 you're data will be safe - you just won't be able to access any of it. Checking your PC and peripheral manufacturers websites should give you some idea if owners of your equipment are seeing problems with Windows 10 upgrades.

Since Windows Media Center is gone from Windows 10, and it's replacements (Groove Music and Windows Movie and TV) are really not viable options if you are maintaining your own media collection (IMHO), VLC is pretty much the only option. You should check out their webpage to see if there are any major issues with Windows 10.

As I mentioned in a recent post, last year PC gamers were fairly vociferous in their early criticisms of Windows 10. Apparently popular shortcuts and backdoors that gamers use were blocked off under Windows 10. However, as I previously mentioned I have not looked into where gaming is under Win 10 in more than six months. It is possible that some improvements have been made.

This to me seems like a lot of "ifs" and "maybes", to say nothing of homework to do, in just nine days. Again, for me it is a "NO GO". Keep your current configuration intact, and in 2018 or 2019 look at a new computer - or even a used Windows 10 machine.

[9876543210]

dorcelfan,

Originally Posted by dorcelfan

So I've got 9 days to go before my free upgrade expires and I'm still undecided. I really only use this laptop to play a few games, watch the odd movie on VLC player and surf the net using Firefox.
My files are all on an external HD sooo my question is - is it worth doing? Can I get a Go / No Go from those in the know!

Regards

D

To me, after trying Win 10 for quite a while, keeping it boils down to one real question. How much do you value your privacy? If you really don't care then stick with Win 10 as it does have some features lots of people will like.

But if you don't like giving all of your info to MS, then roll back to an earlier version or Linux.

For me, it all boils down to that one question. Since I don't trust MS, I'm sticking with Win 7.

[rlg118]

Originally Posted by 9876543210

... I'm sticking with Win 7.

Listen to the man:

[philll_77]

If you do go for the up/downgrade, power down the external HD and unplug it first.