Windows 10?

[9876543210]

Just FYI, tried to install the Win 7 updates twice last night with no joy. The "searching for updates" icon just sat there and spun getting nowhere. Not quite sure why as every time I initially clicked on Windows Updates it came up with a big red screen saying you need to update now or all kinds of bad things will happen! OOOOOOOOKKKKKKKKKKK! So I try and update and nothing happens?

Now, I did Beta test Win 10 and decided I didn't like it. Could that be part of the problem? I also have Win Update set to notify me when updates are available but not to download and install them until I approve. I wonder if they don't like that stance anymore?

Haven't tried to update today (been playing with Mint) but I probably will later. The Win 7 install is unstable for some reason so I probably need to get that done.

[philll_77]

Interesting article on "theregister", about windows-update. Seems that it will send the win-10 install files whether you asked for them or not. 3GB's worth...

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/09...rced_download/

[9876543210]

a435843,

Originally Posted by a435843

Hmmmm...WU was super slow for me Tuesday, all day, but I don't know why you're hitting the wall.

Tuesday, Wednesday and most of Thursday nothing happened. Finally, last night (Thursday around 10 p.m.) Win Update decided to work. It had around 150 necessary updates and 100 optional updates. Only did the necessary updates. Took quite a while. Rebooted this afternoon and things aren't going well. Windows is crashing or may have corrupted the video driver. Have to take a closer look.

Luckily, Mint seems to be working just fine. Please remind me why I'm still messing around with MS? Oh, yeah, Word.

If there's a license problem, you should receive a warning eventually, as such.

No, not a license problem. Did check that briefly on my way into Device Manager so thats not the problem.

As a last resort, especially for such a large number of updates, try the following script that I found here, and modified to go through each update and ask if you wish to add it, so you can skip the ones on the s*** list. Load this into a file called WUA_SearchDownloadInstall.vbs, in your user root folder, such as C:\Users\Username\WUA_SearchDownloadInstall.vbs, so that you'll be in the correct folder when you open the command line. Then go into the command line, and type the command cscript WUA_SearchDownloadInstall.vbs. Go through the instructions, and hopefully you'll see some progress.

Will do. Just have to get back into Windows. Not stable enough at the moment.

[highwayman274]

Originally Posted by a435843

Nevertheless, it seems that the "group policy" update from August (KB 3065987) is the offender, according to that MS post. I originally suggested that it was OK to leave, but I guess not. I'm glad I dropped it earlier.

Also, I updated what I affectionately call my "Microsoft S*** List"™:

Thanks to a435843 for identifying the updates that appear to be "seeding" Windows 10 onto our computers.

After uninstalling a number of those updates from my Windows 8.1 desktop, they were promptly downloaded again and re-installed before I figured out how to hide them.

I have now changed my Update settings to "advise me of updates and let me decide whether to download & install them". This may result in a bit of a delay in downloading security updates, but I'm more concerned about the unwanted crap that comes down in the System updates.

[9876543210]

a435843,

Originally Posted by a435843

In my experience, avoid installing the optional video driver updates that Windows Update pushes...they've never worked for me, and I've supported probably 25,000 PC's over the course of my career. I usually have to go into Safe Mode, strip out the video driver optional update, and reboot. If you can, you may wish to check to see if you accepted a video driver optional update.

I don't think I've even gone into Windows for a couple of days but I will check on the video driver. Don't think that was one of the updates though as drivers aren't usually part of the initial Windows Updates. I think those come in the 2nd or third round which I haven't done yet. Spending most of my time in Mint. And kind of liking it.

[JJ3027]

Originally Posted by 9876543210

Edit: Found an old version of Mint (Cinnamon) and thinking of installing it instead of Ubuntu. Any ideas on that?

Linux Mint is a derivative of Ubuntu. It works

I didn't look to see if anyone posted a few paragraphs from the "Terms of Use" document for Win 10 that 'details' how they are going to collect data. It was on a few of the Tech web sites a few weeks ago. They posted 37 settings that you needed to either turn on or off to get you close to the security settings you should have in-place with Win 7. The default settings for Win 10 is going to suck data from your activity, email, messages, etc, like a black hole. Problem is that for each update, I got the impression that these settings will go to the default (zero security) settings.

I have no plans on installing Win 10 unless MS changes their data collecting policy. Win 7 works fine for me

It's best to install/uprade an OS from disc. I usually do to a new/clean hard drive and re-install my various software. Yes, it may be a lot of work, but it's better than upgrading on your current OS drive and have it fail and damaging your current OS drive.

If your sick and tired with MS, buy a Mac and make sure you go to their local store "how to use" sessions. If you still need to keep your Win machine because of some software you still need to use (like games), keep it and just take it off the network

If you're just a 'surfer', get a tablet (non-MS) It's a hell of a lot easier

[9876543210]

JJ2027,

Originally Posted by JJ3027

Linux Mint is a derivative of Ubuntu. It works

Liking it pretty well so far. Have only gone into Windows 7 once or twice in the last few days and not really missing it. I guess the main thing I like about it (over Ubuntu) is that it pretty much looks and acts like Win 7. Not as polished, of course, but more than useful. I really like that the "Close, Maximize and Minimize" buttons are where they should be (up in the top right corner). Just makes life easier.

I didn't look to see if anyone posted a few paragraphs from the "Terms of Use" document for Win 10 that 'details' how they are going to collect data. It was on a few of the Tech web sites a few weeks ago. They posted 37 settings that you needed to either turn on or off to get you close to the security settings you should have in-place with Win 7. The default settings for Win 10 is going to suck data from your activity, email, messages, etc, like a black hole. Problem is that for each update, I got the impression that these settings will go to the default (zero security) settings.

I think Rick Danger and a435843 have pretty good posts on those.

I have no plans on installing Win 10 unless MS changes their data collecting policy. Win 7 works fine for me

Way back before this thread even started I Beta tested Win 10 for a month or two and found I didn't really like it. There were a lot of problems but the one which finally did Win 10 in, for me, was the periodically disappearing Start button. Started out OK but, eventually, the button just disappeared. Thus couldn't access anything on the Start menu. I'd send a message into the MS blackhole and get no response. Others were having the same problem and had found some work arounds but none of them worked for me. Along with a bunch of other problems, my assessment was that 10 was nowhere near ready for release to the general public. But, of course, MS released it shortly after.

So I'm not going to install it again either. I think they're going to tick off a lot of people who might be willing to try something else. One reason I'm using Mint.

It's best to install/uprade an OS from disc. I usually do to a new/clean hard drive and re-install my various software. Yes, it may be a lot of work, but it's better than upgrading on your current OS drive and have it fail and damaging your current OS drive.

Agreed.

If your sick and tired with MS, buy a Mac and make sure you go to their local store "how to use" sessions. If you still need to keep your Win machine because of some software you still need to use (like games), keep it and just take it off the network

If you're just a 'surfer', get a tablet (non-MS) It's a hell of a lot easier

Well, I'm not buying a Mac. Too expensive and not really into their whole "environment". Will be sticking with Win 7 primarily because I have to use Word and a couple of games.

Tablets??? Have one and virtually never touch it (thank heavens I didn't waste money on the Apple version). Too small so its hard to see. Probably OK for some but kind of a waste of time and money for me.

[IronMan]

The random screen flashing shit is the only complaint I have about 10.

[BondJmsBond]

Originally Posted by a435843

MS got a little aggressively annoying over the weekend, dumping Windows 10 full installers, to the tune of 6-10 Gigabytes, on tens of millions of PC's

That may explain why my internet has been dead slow for 2 weeks, and is now better.
I did not reserve windows 10 (have 8.1). A forced update?

Lacking the computer savvy to prevent it even with the instructions from good folk here (I'd screw it up, and can't invest ongoing time/effort), I'll just back up everything and see what happens. If it bricks my comp I'll get a new one it's pretty old anyway.

Seems to me this forced update could drive many people away from MS. Maybe not a good business decision...
Maybe it is as most I think are like me and have no real option except for going mac which I won't do unless absolutely forced to. Mac staff must be watching this unfold on the edge of their seats, licking their lips and thinking about price increases..

[9876543210]

BondJmsBond,

Originally Posted by BondJmsBond

Maybe it is as most I think are like me and have no real option except for going mac which I won't do unless absolutely forced to. Mac staff must be watching this unfold on the edge of their seats, licking their lips and thinking about price increases..

If Win 10 does brick your machine (more than likely the hardware isn't really bricked, its the OS thats bricked) then take a look at Ubuntu or Mint. Both are FREE! And Mint, especially, works almost the same as Win 7.

If I were you, I'd download one or the other, stick it on a live disk and start playing with it. I think you'll be somewhat amazed.Try Mint first though as it really is very similar to Win 7.

Better than buying a new Mac or PC.