Besides the fact that the new windows menu is horrible and I would recommend a product like Start 11 to replace the start menu with something a little more like windows 10, I haven't really had any issues with it that I didn't also have with windows 10 (things like forced updating and stuff are super annoying)

One of the problems people have had is the lack of a TPM module in their computer. Depending on how old your computer is it may not have a TPM 2.0 module in it. If it does not there are two ways to correct this issue. One you can pickup a TPM module, but that would require you to be comfortable opening up your computer and plugging it in. This may also not be viable if you are using a laptop instead of a desktop. If you are comfortable doing so, you can find them on amazon just by searching for TPM 2.0 Module.

The other viable option is to use a registry hack to bypass the necessity for the TPM Module
This article on Tom's Hardware is a good starting point for how to do that:
https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to.....pm-requirement

Yeah I'm not very tech savvy

So I didn't see answers to a few of your questions down below so I'll be a little more specific for you.

If you stay with windows 10, and you use the built in anti-virus protection (Windows Defender), and the Windows built in Firewall, it will not be sufficient in the long run. These applications are updated as part of the windows update process which will end at windows 10 end of life.

Windows 10 will function correctly for the time being. But eventually other updates will fall off for it, such as hardware driver updates and things like that. Over time the incompatibilities will build up and cause you more issues than it is worth.

That being said, do not stick with the built in firewall, and anti-virus if that is what you are using. Purchase and install separate anti-virus/firewall protection. I saw someone down the thread mention Kaspersky which was one of the best ones on the market but as far as I recall is still banned in the US.

Personally I would advise against anything from Norton, McAfee, or Avast. Their products are so invasive they might as well be viruses themselves.

Bitdefender also has a solid product with Firewall Protection
Malwarebytes is also acceptable though a little light on features (Doesn't have a built in firewall)
TotalAV also has a solid antivirus product but no firewall.

So it's best to update to 11?

In the long run it will probably be a necessity. I was more saying that you shouldn't depend on build in anti-virus and firewalls if you want to keep windows 10 for the time being.

From what you telling me about all the anti virus software it sounds like 11 is the better option.

Good advice. I'm an advanced hacker (programmer/systems analyst for 27 years) and I even use Stardock's Start10 on my older laptop. They also offer [url=]Start11[/url], which works great on Windows 10.

I also like Open-Shell. It's much less annoying than the Micro$oft start menu.

Yes... Open-Shell is a must-have.

I'm still on Windows7, and even then I'd throw a fit without Open-Shell.

( nods, nods *)
My girlfriend's neighbor gave me an old scanner. It won't work with Windows 8 or later so I run it on my old Windows 7 HP NetBook. Those two work together like a charm!

I'll throw my hat in here since this is related to my line of work (former lead IT Helpdesk tech, current sysadmin).

Whether or not you have problems with 11 will depend on a LOT of things. In particular, the following:

A > Micro$oft will do everything they can to try to make you have or create a Microsoft account to use as a login credential for the computer. Older versions of Windows 11 were able to be set up without this via some somewhat convoluted command line chicanery that I don't recommend the average user attempting... though I hear that method may no longer work anyway. Not sure if that bothers you or not.

B > To install "correctly", the computer needs to be a relatively newer model with a TPM ("Trusted Platform Module") chip in it. If the computer is older or simply does not have one (some 'reasonably' new AMD-based computers don't), it will tell you your computer is not capable of installing it. Like in "A" above, there once was a bullcrap technical way around this, but it's not user friendly and I'm no longer sure it works.

C > In the case of a lost or forgotten password, if the workarounds in "A" or "B" were done, you likely will not be able to get back into the computer. You have to have a M$ account to recover your password, like with Apple now, unless you had the foresight to create a USB-based recovery drive beforehand.

D > Windows 11 nags you hard to utilize OneDrive as a computer backup method. That's fine and all, but you need a separate subscription to Microsoft (Office) 365 for that to even be practical. They also have intrusive warnings trying to tell you not to use other browsers other than Edge (essentially a Chrome-Based new Internet Explorer) and they are trying to sneak AI stuff into all parts of the operating system over time.

E > "Windows 12" is going to be announced relatively shortly.

F > Windows 11 is otherwise a lot like Windows 10, albeit with some user interface differences and (credit where it is due) quality of life upgrades like a tabbed File Explorer and Notepad application.

There's probably more to add here, but I'll leave it at that for now. Full disclosure... I personally chose NOT to run Windows when I built my new computer in September. I'm running Linux at home and all three (Windows 11, Linux, and Mac OS) at work. I only have a Windows 10 virtual machine set aside in case I need it.

So I should sick with 10 even after it ends? I'm not good with Linux I'm not that tech savvy.
I'm pretty sure you can still use your computer with out havening to do log ins and stop notification to stop the nagging about other programs

Windows 10 will continue to function fine. What is going to happen is that they will end security updates and quality of life fixes/enhancements going forward. The biggest problem with that is that once the security updates end, as annoying as those may be, the operating system becomes vulnerable to new cybersecurity threats (malware, hacking, etc.) which can make it a desirable target for the ne'er-do-wells out there. How serious that risk might ultimately be isn't really knowable. However, many people will choose to take it, as has been done in the past.

As for the nags and whatnot in the newer Windows 11 OS, yeah, those can be realistically managed. I mention it only because I don't really know where your tolerance for such is at. As for being able to set the computer to log in without a password, it looks like that is still possible:
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us.....b-f44d00289715

And I don't blame you for maybe cringing at the site of the word Linux LOL I just throw all the options and stuff out there when talking about these things.

I don't cringing at the site of the word Linux, I have tried it but like I said I'm not that tech savvy so I gave up on it cause it was too frustrating and I use tutorials..

As for windows I may end up updating cause the security updates is important, to protect a computer.

Totally understandable!

And yeah, in that case simply going to 11 might be the most balanced/most practical thing to do here.

I herd if I keep using windows firewall I don't have to use 11

A firewall/anti-malware combo in general, yes. The Windows one is still subject to the security and definitions updates you may stop receiving, so it may be a good idea to look into having something else running over it.

There are some free ones out there. I used to use Comodo back in the day, but it's interface was a bit annoying back then. Haven't tried it recently.

My computer also has a Virus & threat protection that scans my computer weekly. Dose that helps?

It should, yes. Just make sure you keep it up-to-date.

I read through the whole thread of this, including that you have had Linux troubles before. Stuff's changed though. I built a new PC recently and put on Windows 11 on it, and you can just feel the insecurity going through it, it's already cheated me into accepting things for my account that can't be un-accepted or deleted. It's really scummy how Microsoft makes you have to step through a minefield just to make a user and set up your machine for work. I researched and later found elemtaryOS and Zoryn OS. Both are free, superlight, let me install all kinds of neat apps and major stuff like Krita and FireAlpaca, and free open source animating software too, and it went natively on this PC with all different components from different makers. The install is really easy I mean... if you like you can make a bootable install stick at a library even, to try them. Most of all I like that when I have either of those installed I know I'm free, no need to accept or compromise stuff. You may end up having to get Win 11, but i honestly recommend a little second startup disk with ZorynOS or something cuz you just feel free and untracked with it, nothing to click accept for or be targeted with notifications and stuff.

Honestly, I really can't say. Truth be told, I had a refurbished mini PC with Windows 10 already updated. But because it was refurbished, it still required me to update to Windows 11 despite my PC not being compatible with Windows 11 software update. And I haven't done much research on Windows 11, but based on what you're telling me, it would definitely be more wiser to do your own research before listening to everyone else.

And yes, I definitely understand the circumstances you're in. And I would never suggest you to go outta your way to get a Mac or Apple. It's the start of a new year, if Wins 10 does ends in October, You'll still have plenty of time to make decision. Just be patient, take your time, and do some research till then.

as long as you have a good firewall, then support ending for 10 isnt going to affect you much, hardly at all really.

That's the solution I'm relying on with my Windows 10 laptop.

i personally have no worries about 10 losing support. honestly its fine by me.

I have windows defender firewall but is 10 connect to that or is it separate?

windows defender firewall will do ya good

Ok Thanks

I already use Windows 11 since I bought my current PC which means almost 3 years and I'm still alive I guess.

I call it Windoesn't for a reason. But it is the dominant OS. Mostly, it works fine for me with no issues, and I like an OS that doesn't get in my way.

To mer personally, it's not that it's functionally bad vs 10. It's the AI/Spyware/mandatory-account things and that you have no control over settings once microsoft decides to reset them for you in an update. Not to mention installing or removing software against your will. Clear example is a little basic video editor they gave users a while back. Nothing matching DaVinci Resolve etc but for home users more then enough, then to remove it later and instead promote their damn Clipchamp that needed a 365 account instead. This is still on 10 mind you so I can't expect this to get better on 11.

Otherwise SentientAberration sums up all else I would write as well.

Personally I can't go Mac either. The lack of components(SSD most CLEARLY) that I can upgrade or replace is an absolute NEVER for the absurd costs. Apple is dead to me so I'm going the not-for-every-one tech savy route. My laptops are already on Ubuntu based linux distros and I'm slowly moving all else to it as well. The only windows machine I'm keeping is an old win7 machine that I keep offline and run offline old software and games from GoG.

I may, keep one desktop rig with win 11 for more modern social gaming with friends that aren't as bothered about microsofts bad practices(average joe knowledge vs tech savy knowledge) but in that case it's getting a burner account, no local files of any kind stored, one drive only.

One aspect of computing many forget is "trust" in the software. You trust that the OS does what you want it too on the hardware you own and in that regard, microsoft has burned their trust with many after Win7.

"installing or removing software against your will" Has that actually happen to anyone?

So do I keep the 10?

https://www.windowslatest.com/2023/.....sed-clipchamp/

Yes. This may seem like a minor app few cared about but it did happen. What prevents this from being done with other things?

I suggest you'd push 10 as long as beyond the EOL date as you can. I did this with 7 and the only reason I went 10 was that slowly but surely, all the game clients one after another started becoming unusable on 7 and webbrowsers got deprecated as well. It took 2 years-ish but after that I went 10. Sadly 11 and other microsoft practices has left a bad impression on me so 10 is formally my last windows. I'm moving to linux and there's no turning back.

I herd other suggest using the windows firewall I have that on so dose that mean I don't have to go 11?

Reading other parts here think rather that means the firewall in your router.

I have it on my laptop, and I keep it on. It even has a Virus & threat protection that scans my computer.

I have only had one issue since going to 11, and it's gotten fixed in a patch since, so no complaints from me. Works just as well as 10 for everything I need, personally.

If you're happy with 10 though, there's no real need to update to 11 as far as I know.

But the security thing is a I do have a windows defender firewall

I do like the aesthetics of 11 but the start menu is totally fucked up. There's like nothing to showcase off your events anymore and you need to click a separate widgets button now just for the very same stuff. But do look into some start 11 add ones though.

(Lurker here)

I use Windows 11 for a while now, and I purposely answered "no" on all the prompts of optional components during installation (such as OneDrive, or anything that claims to "get to know you better"). So far I've experienced very few issues. I did replace my Start Menu with OpenShell to revert back to Windows 7 style (which is so much more functional), and there's one value in the registry that I changed to get back the old right-click context menu in one click.

If you want to avoid all the AI stuff, avoid getting a Copilot+ PC, because they come with the dreaded "Copilot Recall" spyware these days. Avoid that like the plague! It seems it's not rolling out in Europe because it doesn't comply to the GDPR, I think...

In case you want to avoid this and consider Linux, I'd go for Mint. This distribution is well documented, known to be user-friendly, has a lot of basic functionality out of the box, and doesn't require you to be that tech savvy. I've used Ubuntu for a while, but I feel that distro is going downhill with its user-friendliness... Just putting it out there.

Funny thing I saw Copilot showing up on my computer and uninstalled and delete it when I was cleaning and checking my updates and I have win 10.

I'm still not sure with Linux I tried it but it was too frustrating for me, I think it might be due to my learning disability. I can't eve get a Winlator emulator to work.

I guses I just suck at programing :(

i'm having trouble upgrading to it

If you are going to continue using Windows 10, then I will recommend you to buy an Antivirus for the computer. I recommend 2 good actions that have history too resistance against some incidents in the past: ESET, and Kaspersky (I know it is Russian but it moved its servers to Switzerland before the invasion). And don't forget to configure the antivirus to be a little aggressive.

I have a Firewall and a Virus & threat protection on the computer, I think it's part of the default setting but is that good enough?

never is enough. A good real antivirus is more recommended by experts. Think in this way when there was a problem regarding a vulnerability in windows (already patched) that causes computers to get their data encrypted by a virus. Computers with the 2 Antivirus that I recommended, they caught the virus before it acted.

Both are are great AV, but they have their behavior. ESET is the gentleman that sit down you with a cup of tea and ask you if you are a virus. While Kaspersky is the guy with a bat that hit you, then ask you if you are a virus.

I also want the Windows 11, but my computer windows 10 cannot upgrade it. So I will made it Linux.

In my experience it’s been pretty chill. Nothing really stands out aside from the aforementioned search bar.

It just means they'll stop providing security updates, so as long as you don't connect the computer to the internet, there is no worry. If you insist on using Win10, I heard a mention on Security Now of a group that will provide security updates for a fee though I don't recall the name of the group. For me there hasn't been much of a difference in updating to Win11 except there's annoying ads in the start menu and the weather program is also full of ads as well. It does require alot of fine tuning the privacy and security settings so that much of my data isn't sent to MS for their data collection and so they can build their AI engine.

What it is, is that Windows 10 support will end in October. People can STILL use Windows 10, it just won't get any further updates and won't be as reliable as Windows 11. Personally I've had no difficulty in using Windows 11. The only negative that struck me was their ending support for WordPad, but that was across all systems and that's just on Microsoft themselves being stupid. But overall, no I've had no difficulty in using Wndows 11. It does take some getting used to, but then so did any other new version of Windows.

But yeah it's easier to buy a new computer with it installed, then trying to install it on an older machine with Windows 10.

I got windows 11. I got no complaints.

hi! i currently have windows 11 and honestly i havent got any problems with it!
i just use youtube tutorials to personalize it more, making stuff like my folders and the search bar look glass like/transparent x'D
this is the main tutorial i used https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMX61xpixXQ&t=111s

but yeah, in terms of using this system an drawing with it on my computer, its the same as windows 10, no issues

Thanks

Good thing I'm saving up for a new computer before that happens.

I have to use Win11 at work, you can move the start menu and icons back to the left of the bar, but you can't move the taskbar anymore, which is highly aggravating. At work I like to put it on the right side of the leftmost screen so I can stack up more window entries since i keep a lot of stuff open (i'm a software developer). I also liked to create a custom set of mini icons which were just shortcuts in a folder but you could add it as a toolbar and keep all my top used apps in that just under the start menu. That was also taken away.

Outside that, the main problems with 11 are some compatibility with hardware/older software but most probably won't have that issue. The other is privacy and microsoft shoving a funnel in our mouth and pouring their "AI" copilot thing down our gargling throats. They plan to have it watching your keystrokes and even your screen which raises serious privacy and security issues. To me this relegates Win11 as only useful for stupid shit like gaming and anything private I do like writing or banking or anything I don't want leaked or stolen by their AI I do on my Linux box.

Windows 11 is atrocious, it's the worst OS yet and I finally moved from Windows 7 a few months ago to Linux Mint, which is setup much like Windows XP and Windows 7. Steam has a large native Linux library as well. Photoshop CS6 works in Linux with a little fussing, and my Wacom Tablet also works, but I don't get my radial menus anymore.

As for Windows 11, it's pure kid gloves for its users to the point of being obnoxious. It's bloated, sluggish, advertises to you, and forces updates unless you start turning off registries. It's pure malware. You will have just as much incompatibility with Win 11 as you will with Linux Mint, so it makes sense to just switch if you don't have any essential programs. In the least, dual boot with an old copy of Windows 7, or keep it on an offline computer. I have Windows 11 on a work laptop, and it does two things: open some books while on the go, and open by bitcoin / ledger wallet.

I'd be surprised if they go through with laying it down so quickly. Certain security conscious industries are likely already furious and demanding prolonged support due to the pains of updating custom software during an OS update. Mil-Aero in particular.

I don't own any Microsoft Windows, so I can't really suggest what to do

I also work in tech, and I don't know if you've decided yet, but here's just some observations I've had on my Windows 11 experimental machine:

1) First installation went great, then one of its mandatory updates was faulty and shredded the install so bad I had to start over. Literally would not allow use of file system anymore. This taught me the following...
2) System Safety Snapshots are no longer turned on by default in Win 11 !!! Turn those on early if you start using 11.
3) What most others have said has been good advice, especially about the Start Menu. Use Open Shell if you can.
4) Do backups regularly (as with all systems)
5) I don't recommend upgrading on older hardware if it's a bit old. Win 11 will just drag it down in many cases. Better to go to a machine that had Win 11 installed from day 1, or just stick with 10 as long as possible.
6) All the scare talk that they do about not updating isn't completely true. They still update Win 7 just about weekly (liability reasons probably), and even XP in some cases (especially for businesses that have kiosk hardware that can't be upgraded).
7) Surf safe, i.e. be careful which sites and links you visit, on any system.
Best of luck!

Thanks.

When you talk about back up regularly you mean this update erases my programs?

What is Snapshots?

I can't afford a new computer, The one I have still works well and it updates monthly or weekly. It's a refurbish laptop I got from a repair/computer store.

Hiya!
Meant backing up your data to an external removal hard drive. Your programs remain intact, yup!

Glad your computer is running well. System snapshots is in ControlPanel System Protection. The service takes a snapshot regularly of your entire system condition, so that it can usually be rolled back to a working condition if there's system failure. Here's an example (not my video, but pretty straightforward) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmdRaWXl_vk

So I dose erase everything with each updates?

Nope, no erasing, it just "copies" the state of the computer system and records it in a safe place. Then if there's a disaster, it usually can use that copy to restore the system the way it was. The copies are kept temporarily, and only the most recent ones are saved.

So say for example, if your drawing software crashed and corrupted irrevocably, you can generally "roll back" to a previous System State and then it's back and working again. Or if you get a virus and discover it early enough, you can "roll back" to the time before the virus.