Windows 10?

[beutelwolf]

Originally Posted by Rick Danger

Over the years Windows has become more and more of a resource hog as new features (or if you prefer, "bloatware") were introduced: browser(s), media players, search tools, etc.

Interestingly, there are some pieces of bloatware on W10 which users can remove, but apparently only as admin via the powershell.

These are typically Microsoft's own bloatware, such as the xbox app. I don't have an xbox (not a gamer), and as my tablet is really short on space that app had to go. It's not one though you can get rid via settings. You have to run the powershell as administrator, see here.

[Ernesto75]

Originally Posted by beutelwolf

Interestingly, there are some pieces of bloatware on W10 which users can remove, but apparently only as admin via the powershell.

These are typically Microsoft's own bloatware, such as the xbox app. I don't have an xbox (not a gamer), and as my tablet is really short on space that app had to go. It's not one though you can get rid via settings. You have to run the powershell as administrator, see here.

Many thanks Beutelwolf.

I was searching for a secure way to uninstall some of them.

Now I think I've got it.

[Ernesto75]

Here are two links for those interested by Powershell:

http://www.jonathanmedd.net/2009/10/...nce-guide.html

http://www.jonathanmedd.net/wp-conte...kReference.pdf

[Rick Danger]

Thank you Messers. Beutelwolf and Ernesto75 for the information concerning Powershell.

However, recall that one of the "features" of Windows 10 Home or Professional is that updates will reset or reinstall settings and features that you have modified. Yes, you can automate these changes, and if you have only a handful of machines this is a viable option. But if you are supporting dozens of machines having to apply such changes each time Windows Update runs is impractical.

FYI, I was reading some blog posts concerning problems users are having with the Windows 10 Anniversary edition. As Mr. Ernesto noted, he was having problems with his installation of BitDefender. The blog posts I read concerned problems with McAfee security products after the Anniversary update. One reader flipped out when it was suggested that he not apply the update. His response was how was he supposed to do this when Microsoft forces down updates to Windows 10 Home or Professional devices? You may be able to delay the update for a time, but sooner or later you have no choice in accepting it.

Like I said, lack of choice and user control, at least at the consumer level, makes Windows 10 less attractive, IMHO.

[Rick Danger]

As Mr. Ernesto75 said, Windows 10 is not yet mature........ anybody want to argue with him???

Woody on Windows

The case against Windows 10 Anniversary Update grows
With myriad problems now evident, it may be best to skip the Anniversary Update for now

By Woody Leonhard
InfoWorld | Aug 4, 2016

Given the massive testing and repeated refinement that brought us Windows 10 Anniversary Update, you’d think the rollout would proceed with few debilitating problems. But you’d be wrong. From common installation problems to minor irritants to significant data destruction, reports of problems are mounting up.

You should consider dodging the update until Microsoft irons out the worst difficulties.

Everyone who's been paying attention to Windows 10 updates expected installation problems. Microsoft hasn’t yet delivered a Cumulative Update that installs on all machines, so it shouldn’t come as any surprise that Anniversary Update installs trigger a wide variety of failures, rollbacks, flakey Universal Windows programs, and error codes such as 0x80070020. I talk about all of those errors and more in my May article, 20 fixes for a Windows 10 update meltdown.

Mauro Huculak at Windows Central has a different list of problems that have occurred -- problems connecting to the Microsoft servers, driver incompatibilities, insufficient storage errors, damaged installation files, and more.

And, of course, we finally found out how to fix Cortana if he/she/it gets zapped in the course of the update.

There are very credible reports that the Anniversary Update is making entire volumes/drives invisible, prompting a reformat. The newest version of Win10 refuses to see some drives, identifying them as RAW, and prompting for an NTFS reformat. It’s easy to accidentally reformat the drive.

I’ve seen a report on AskWoody.com that the Anniversary Update makes the entire Group Policy setting for Configure Automatic Updates useless. While the gpedit setting for Configure Automatic Updates is still there, changing the setting there has no effect in the Win10 user interface (Start > Settings > Update & security > Update settings). It’s still too early to tell exactly how that’ll work, but the “Available updates will be downloaded and installed automatically” notice appearing in the Settings app does not inspire confidence.

There are more credible reports about Win10 locking up completely after the Anniversary Update. Redditor KuruQan found out that running a clean install fixes the problem. There are many different solutions proposed, but nothing official from Microsoft. We don’t even have official acknowledgment that the problem exists.

It looks like System Restore gets turned off when you install the Anniversary Update.

Several of the reported problems disappear if you roll back to the previous version of Windows -- for those in the Insider program, that means going back to build 14393.0 (or possibly .5). For those of you who aren’t in the beta test program, that means rolling back to the Fall Update, build 1511.

But there’s yet another problem with rollbacks. Richard Hay reported yesterday on Windows Supersite that Microsoft has just -- unilaterally, and without notification to anyone -- changed the rules, so rollbacks can only be performed for 10 days after the initial installation. “Microsoft can now recover anywhere between 3 and 5GB of storage space on the users device that would normally be occupied by the previous operating system files that were saved for a possible rollback recovery.” That’s a decent argument now, but somebody should’ve told Microsoft last year when they silently pushed 3GB to 6GB of unwanted data onto Windows 7 and 8.1 computers as part of the “Get Windows 10” effort. How convenient to have that change of heart.

Adding insult to ignominy, the Anniversary Update is changing all sorts of settings. The officially recognized changes include:

Pen Settings. To personalize your pen settings, go to Settings > Devices > Pen & Windows Ink.
Notification settings. To personalize, go to Settings > System > Notifications & actions > Notifications.
Tablet Mode settings. To personalize, go to Settings > System > Tablet Mode.
Virtual Desktops. To recreate your virtual desktops, click the Task View icon on your taskbar and select Add New Desktop.

Poster jescott418 on the same Microsoft Answers thread adds this:

Just great, all the tiles are live again, back to annoying notifications, default icons Edge, and Store back on taskbar which is not such a big deal. But still, so much for customizing your PC anymore. Well, I just got to move past Windows I guess. No respect for the individual user anymore. Can't stop these updates and I guess can't expect your PC will be like before they updated. Long-time Windows user, really had enough.

The list of broken drivers goes on and on. For example, Brother Corp just sent a reassuring email to all their customers that says:

This notice is for customers using Win10 OS. If you are not using Win10, this notice does not pertain to you. The next major update to Windows 10 is scheduled to be released on August 2nd, 2016. After your Windows 10 PC has been updated, either automatically or by manually updating through Windows Updates, you may no longer be able to print or scan using the USB and Network connections. To resolve this issue, you will need to uninstall the existing Brother software and then reinstall it.

With the update rolling out slowly, there’s a good chance it hasn’t yet tried to install itself on your machine. If that’s the case, you can proactively try to block the update for now. If you’re on a Wi-Fi connection, you can use the metered connection trick to keep the Anniversary Update off your machine. If you have Windows 10 Pro, you can bypass the forced update to Win10 Anniversary Update by clicking Start > Settings > Update & recovery > Advanced Options and check the box marked Defer upgrades. If you aren’t on Wi-Fi and only have Win10 Home, you’re forced into a considerably more complex blocking situation which involves using wushowhide to keep it off your machine.

There’s one conclusion that rings out loud and clear: Windows 10 desperately needs a way to control forced updates. And I’ve said it for the past 18 months, but Windows 10’s aching Achilles’ heel is patching. Microsoft’s refusal to allow normal Win10 users to vet patches before they’re pushed still ranks as one of the main reasons to avoid Windows 10.

Back in the not-so-good old days, Microsoft released periodic Service Packs for Windows. The terminology isn’t fashionable anymore (somebody please remind me why). But back then, you had a choice about installing Service Packs -- you could surf on the bleeding edge and install them as soon as they came out, or you could wait a week, or a month, or a year to make sure Microsoft had its act together before you installed a massive change.

Not so anymore.

Windows honcho Terry Meyerson started us down this road a little over two years ago, when he released Update 1 for Windows 8.1, which was a coerced “Service Pack” without the name. That campaign drew unprecedented attack because Microsoft didn’t allow enough time to iron out the problems with Update 1 (later renamed to just “Windows 8.1 Update,” and the “Update” terminology has slowly disappeared).

We’re seeing the same disaster playing out again. Microsoft expects all Windows 10 users (except those on the Branch for Business or LTSB) to move to Anniversary Update as soon as Microsoft pushes the update onto their machines. There are no exceptions and precious little opportunity to push back, in spite of the problems.

Kinda makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

[Ernesto75]

Originally Posted by Rick Danger

However, recall that one of the "features" of Windows 10 Home or Professional is that updates will reset or reinstall settings and features that you have modified. Yes, you can automate these changes, and if you have only a handful of machines this is a viable option. But if you are supporting dozens of machines having to apply such changes each time Windows Update runs is impractical.

Like I said in a previous post Windows 10 makes me think of (the defunct) Vista.
It is almost exactly the same, at least concerning the weaknesses.

But at least with Vista, updates were not forced down your throat.

It is true Microsoft's programmers of this time were, it seems, more clever.
But you can bet they are not at Microsoft anymore: they have gone over to Google.

The task with improving Vista was such they had to name it Windows 8.1.

Personnally I always told my furnisher of new computers, each time I had a new purchase to make, I did not want Vista as a system and I preferred Windows 7 Pro.
Now even that is changed: it is Windows 10 only.

[Rick Danger]

A free trial of Enterprise or Enterprise LTSB is nice, but making LTSB available to the general public would be better. After all ".....many people wanted to try the most popular and fastest Windows 10 edition i.e. Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB in their computers. This edition is the most lightweight edition of Windows 10 as it doesn't contain any modern (metro) app like Store, Xbox, Cortana, Microsoft Edge, etc. It also comes with classic Calculator and Windows Photo Viewer programs which are not present in any other Windows 10 edition....."


Download Windows 10 Enterprise and LTSB Free 90-day Trial Versions
UPDATE: New 90-day free trial versions are available of Windows 10 Enterprise Anniversary Update (version 1607) and Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB version 1507.

We told you earlier in point 11 of following topic that Microsoft will release a free 90-day trial version of Windows 10 after releasing Windows 10 final version to public.

Now the time has come. The fully functional and fully-featured 90-day trial versions of Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB (Long Term Servicing Branch) are available for download in form of offline ISO files. The trial version build of Windows 10 Enterprise is version 1607 which was recently released as Anniversary Update to Windows 10 users. The trial version of Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB is version 1507 as no Anniversary Update was released to LTSB users.

The release of trial versions was already expected as Microsoft always releases trial versions of its latest operating systems to public. Microsoft has done the same in past when the company released Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 trial versions to public.

Most of the people who were using genuine Windows 7 or 8.1, have already upgraded to Windows 10 as a part of the free upgrade program. Also there are many people who are participating in Windows Insider program and already enjoying Windows 10 RTM in their systems.

But there might be a few people who are not using a qualifying OS in their computers to free upgrade to Windows 10 or they just don't want to upgrade to Windows 10 and first want to test it.

The free 90-day trial version of Windows 10 might be very helpful for such people who want to try Windows 10 first before upgrading or purchasing the new OS.

Also there are many features which are only available in Windows 10 Enterprise and not available in Home or Pro editions such as Windows To Go Creator, AppLocker, Direct Access, Credential Guard, Device Guard, operating system deployment and comprehensive device and app management, etc. So installing this trial version of Windows 10 Enterprise might help you in testing those exclusive features as well.

And many people wanted to try the most popular and fastest Windows 10 edition i.e. Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB in their computers. This edition is the most lightweight edition of Windows 10 as it doesn't contain any modern (metro) app like Store, Xbox, Cortana, Microsoft Edge, etc. It also comes with classic Calculator and Windows Photo Viewer programs which are not present in any other Windows 10 edition. So its a good time to try and test this awesome edition of Windows 10.

If you want to download the trial versions, you can get the full offline ISO files from following link:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/eval...-10-enterprise

Both links provide same edition and same ISO files for download. The trial versions are available in both 32-bit (x86) as well as 64-bit (x64) versions. Also following language editions are available for download: English (United States), English (Great Britain), Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil).

Please note that during installation, Windows will prompt you to activate. But you'll not require to enter any product key. For recovery purposes, you may use following product key if required:

VTNMT-2FMYP-QCY43-QR9VK-WTVCK

You can install the trial version in a virtualization software such as Virtual Box or built-in Hyper-V feature. If you like it, you can upgrade your PC to Windows 10 otherwise keep using your existing Windows version.

http://www.askvg.com/download-window...trial-version/

[Ernesto75]

How to replace Windows 10 Professionnal with this new version ?

[sandhunter]

Originally Posted by Ernesto75

How to replace Windows 10 Professionnal with this new version ?

I run Windows 10 Pro and I like it , almost as good as Windows7 Ultimate , which is what I was running .

[Rick Danger]

Many of you may have received an email from Microsoft outlining their updated Microsoft Services Agreement, due to go into effect September 15, 2016.

It makes for interesting, if not lengthy, reading.

For example, this clause:

"b. To the extent necessary to provide the Services to you and others, to protect you and the Services, and to improve Microsoft products and services, you grant to Microsoft a worldwide and royalty-free intellectual property license to use Your Content, for example, to make copies of, retain, transmit, reformat, display, and distribute via communication tools Your Content on the Services."

Or this interesting entry:

" b. We strive to keep the Services up and running; however, all online services suffer occasional disruptions and outages, and Microsoft is not liable for any disruption or loss you may suffer as a result. In the event of an outage, you may not be able to retrieve Your Content or Data that you’ve stored. We recommend that you regularly backup Your Content that you store on the Services or store using Third-Party Apps and Services."

I understand this clause. However, how many OneDrive users rely on that service as a backup to their devices? How many actually think they should be employing yet another backup technology or service to back up their OneDrive content?

Under the heading "7. Updates to the Services or Software, and Changes to These Terms" this can be found:

" a. We may change these Terms at any time, and we’ll tell you when we do. Using the Services after the changes become effective means you agree to the new terms. If you don’t agree to the new terms, you must stop using the Services, close your Microsoft account and/or Skype account and, if you are a parent or guardian, help your minor child close his or her Microsoft account or Skype account.
b. Sometimes you’ll need software updates to keep using the Services. We may automatically check your version of the software and download software updates or configuration changes. You may also be required to update the software to continue using the Services. Such updates are subject to these Terms unless other terms accompany the updates, in which case, those other terms apply. Microsoft isn’t obligated to make any updates available and we don’t guarantee that we will support the version of the system for which you licensed the software."

Later in this same section, you'll find this clause concerning that prickly pear know as Digital Rights Management:

"d. So that you can use material protected with digital rights management (DRM), like some music, games, movies and more, DRM software may automatically contact an online rights server and download and install DRM updates."

If you are maybe running a home based or small business and suffer business losses while using Microsoft services, you'd better be aware that your rights to litigate and collect damages are expressly limited by this "agreement":

Limitation of Liability
13. Limitation of Liability. If you have any basis for recovering damages (including breach of these Terms), you agree that your exclusive remedy is to recover, from Microsoft or any affiliates, resellers, distributors, Third-Party Apps and Services providers, and vendors, direct damages up to an amount equal to your Services fee for the month during which the breach occurred (or up to $10.00 if the Services are free). You can't recover any other damages or losses, including direct, consequential, lost profits, special, indirect, incidental, or punitive. These limitations and exclusions apply even if this remedy doesn't fully compensate you for any losses or fails of its essential purpose or if we knew or should have known about the possibility of the damages. To the maximum extent permitted by law, these limitations and exclusions apply to anything or any claims related to these Terms, the Services, or the software related to the Services.

and

15. Binding Arbitration and Class Action Waiver If You Live In (or If a Business Your Principal Place of Business Is In) the United States. We hope we never have a dispute, but if we do, you and we agree to try for 60 days to resolve it informally. If we can’t, you and we agree to binding individual arbitration before the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") under the Federal Arbitration Act ("FAA"), and not to sue in court in front of a judge or jury. Instead, a neutral arbitrator will decide and the arbitrator’s decision will be final except for a limited right of review under the FAA. Class action lawsuits, class-wide arbitrations, private attorney-general actions, and any other proceeding where someone acts in a representative capacity aren’t allowed. Nor is combining individual proceedings without the consent of all parties. "We," "our," and "us" includes Microsoft, Skype (see section 10) and Microsoft’s affiliates and, if you use Skype Pay by Mobile, your mobile phone carrier.

To agree to the Services Agreement, all you need do is "...you continue to use our products and services on or after September 15, 2016, you are agreeing to the updated Microsoft Services Agreement."

If you don't agree, you have about six weeks to figure out what applications and services you can use in place of those provided by Microsoft:

"If you do not agree, you can choose to discontinue using the products and services, and close your Microsoft account before these terms become effective. If you are a parent or guardian, you are responsible for your child’s or teenager’s use of Microsoft products and services, including purchases."

It occurs to me that Microsoft is probably relying on the fact that this would be too short an amount of time to dump their products and services.

You can review the entire MSA for yourselves:

MSA FAQ page https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/serv...ement/faq.aspx
Full MSA page https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/serv.../upcoming.aspx