I hate windows

[finncapt]

Decided to turn on the Win 10 computer (AMD A10, so not slow) to check, on security cameras, whether cat has brought a mouse in - he was sniffing around the corners of the bedroom and lounge, which is unusual activity for our cat.

Win 10 has decided to update itself, 15mins has now passed, and it has got to 14%.

I didn't tell it to update!!

Grrrrr!!

.
.
.
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.
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Forty two minutes.

Now it has reloaded all the things I previously told it I didn't want and I will have to now go through all the settings again.

Do that later.

Good thing though, the cat had an empty mouth when he came in!!

[Guest 112233]

To really enjoy your self, try altering the battery power conservation settings - Make your carefully considered changes e.g. prevent it shutting off yor hard disk every 20 minutes (reducing its working life) Save and re boot. !!

Result Arrgh yep a whole new set of changed that Windows 8.1 thinks you were trying to make.

Commiserations from a Fellow Windoze User

CAT III

[andytug]

Windows after Win7 really does seem to have reached its peak in terms of usefulness and user friendliness. Versions after that just seem to have poor user interface (8), only be half decent on a touch screen as they were designed for a (now non-existent) phone (8.1) and/or a naked attempt to steal user data and monetize it (10) whilst playing catch-up to Apple /Android with the apps (which won't happen at this rate).
Win 7 just works, why upgrade to something worse?
To be honest, if your laptop is only ever used for surfing and office work, Linux Mint will do just as well if not better, especially on older hardware. Windows is in real danger of disappearing up its own fundamental, and if they get the corporate version of W10 wrong....... it will.

[MaximumPete]

Tried Windows 10, decided it was not a patch on earlier versions and went out and bought a MacBook Pro.

BRILLIANT, it does what says on the box, very stable and the Complete Idiot's Guide to MacBook Pro keeps me out of trouble.

The help line is excellent, easy to contact and easy to understand. They work through any problem you have at your pace. Mine were self-inflicted as I'm not a natural techie

MP

[Midland 331]

Already a thread running on this.

Windows 10 (allegedly) does what hackers have been trying to do for years - disable machines on a mass scale.

[FullOppositeRudder]

I know a few who would tick the "strongly agree" box to that statement ....

[gemma10]

And I confirm just how good is Linux Mint . :ok:

[Procrastinus]

There are some work-arounds that perhaps may help _ https://www.cnet.com/uk/how-to/stop-windows-10-from-automatically-updating-your-pc/

[Mike6567]

Tried Windows 10, decided it was not a patch on earlier versions and went out and bought a MacBook Pro.I was going for a W10 machine to try it out (at present W7) but after the above was wondering about a MacBook.
However I am worried as I have all records in Office 2007.

[ExXB]

There is a Mac Version of MS Office (http://www.computerworld.com/article/2904266/desktop-apps/review-office-2016-for-mac-offers-a-new-interface-and-better-features.html). Files are compatible with PC versions, with the exception that not all fonts are on both versions. There is also Outlook for Mac (http://www.computerworld.com/article/2844256/mac-apps/outlook-for-mac-15-3-review-almost-as-good-as-the-windows-version.html), but I don't know anyone that's ever used it. YMMV.

The free office suite on Macs (Pages, Numbers, Keynote) will read/write files in MS format.

[Mike6567]

There is a Mac Version of MS Office (http://www.computerworld.com/article/2904266/desktop-apps/review-office-2016-for-mac-offers-a-new-interface-and-better-features.html). Files are compatible with PC versions, with the exception that not all fonts are on both versions.Thanks. Sounds interesting. Will investigate next time at the local apple store.
Mike

Next day: I must get out more. I understand Microsoft Office is available to put in the apple machine. I haven't tried it yet but am assured by the apple people I will be able to use all my past MS Office stuff.
Mike

[wrenchalot]

A few months ago, I took my computor to the repair shop for an upgrade to WIN 10, but the guy refused to give it to me stating it was too troublesome; so I'm still with WIN 7, and after reading this, I'm glad I am.

[monviso]

Another one hating the Mic corporations. Switch to GNU project if you can

[cattletruck]

The Microsoft corporate philosophy helped me in my decision to purchase of a Macbook Pro.
2 years later turns out it was a very good move.

[MoateAir]

I was thinking just last week that my MBP could do with an update, and they've only gone and produced (what looks like) an extremely nice new bit of kit....
MacBook Pro - Apple (UK) (http://www.apple.com/uk/macbook-pro/)

[India Four Two]

I understand Microsoft Office is available to put in the apple machine. I haven't tried it yet but am assured by the apple people I will be able to use all my past MS Office stuff.Mike,
I use Office (mainly Excel) on a daily basis on both platforms and frequently transfer files between them, with no problems. However, the menus are different and it can be very frustrating, trying to find menu items on the version you are not familiar with.

I've been a Mac user from choice for over 20 years. I also use Windows and Linux at work. These days, for personal use, a Mac is clearly superior to a Windows machine. I have a Windows partition on my MBP in order to use a couple of specialist Windows-only programs, but it runs W7 and I have no plans to ever upgrade!

Moateair,

Yes, the new MBP looks very nice and I might be tempted. However I would miss the matte 17" screen on my 2011 model.

[ExSp33db1rd]

Win 7 just works, why upgrade to something worse?

Precisely, it wasn't broke, so why fix it ?

I was even happy with Win 95 !

[crewmeal]

I wonder what 'Mixture' would have made of all this? I do miss his advice on here. I learnt a lot from him.

[Downwind.Maddl-Land]

"The day Microsoft market a vacuum cleaner will be the day Microsoft produce something that doesn't suck..." anon

[Octane]

My trusty Windows XP laptop is getting close to the end of it's days. Reading this thread is scaring me. What do I do.....? :-(

[Background Noise]

Thanks. Sounds interesting. Will investigate next time at the local apple store.
Mike

Next day: I must get out more. I understand Microsoft Office is available to put in the apple machine. I haven't tried it yet but am assured by the apple people I will be able to use all my past MS Office stuff.
Mike

No real need to visit an Apple store, everything is available online. I use MS Office for Mac via Office 365. Rather than a one-off purchase of this year's software, which will go out of date, it is an annual subscription which means you can always have the latest version installed. It also gives you up to 5 installs (windows or Mac) - so desktop, laptop, other family members etc - as well as 5 (I think) additional installs of the tablet version on iPad etc. I have Mac versions on iMac, macbook, partner's macbook, daughter's macbook and a windows version running on a bootcamp partition on the iMac - plus we have some of the products on various iPads.

Also worth trying the Apple office products, Pages, Numbers etc, to see whether all of the features of your old files are compatible - in which case you have a free option too.

[Mike6567]

Thanks for the encouragement chaps.
I am taking it slowly as now in my 70s all friends are PC users and I have no one to talk to about Macs (sounds a bit sad doesn't it).
However I will be going ahead but am not sure if to go for the MacBook Air or MacBook Pro. The local apple store is in the local shopping centre not far away and they answer all my initial simple questions.
Mike

[andytug]

My trusty Windows XP laptop is getting close to the end of it's days. Reading this thread is scaring me. What do I do.....? :-(

I have a ten year old desktop running XP, nothing wrong with it, still going strong. Don't play games on it though.
Also have laptops with Win7, Vista, and Linux Mint, of those I prefer Win7 (mainly because I use it at work) but Linux Mint is very good indeed. Thing is most of what I do is browser based and all of them use Firefox, so the OS isn't really that important in that sense.
Supposedly going Win10 at work soon with Surface Pro 4, and can't say I'm looking forward to it......

[monviso]

Win7 ? Wow, one of the worst version after Windows Vista!

[andytug]

Win7 ? Wow, one of the worst version after Windows Vista!
In what way?

[TowerDog]

Used Windows 7 since it came out and refused the upgrades to 8 and 10.
Need to run strong Antivirus programs to keep it clean (and fast)
Using Superantispyware and Malwarebytes, highly recommended to debug any Windows based machine.

[yellowtriumph]

Thanks for the encouragement chaps.
I am taking it slowly as now in my 70s all friends are PC users and I have no one to talk to about Macs (sounds a bit sad doesn't it).
However I will be going ahead but am not sure if to go for the MacBook Air or MacBook Pro. The local apple store is in the local shopping centre not far away and they answer all my initial simple questions.
Mike
Want to chat? You can chat 'on line' to the Apple customer support 24 hours a day. They are extremely patient and eager to sort out your queries. Or, you can ring them up and speak to them directly if you prefer. On the other hand, if you are tight for time you can ring the helpline up and get them to ring you back. I've had 100% success with all 3 methods.

I'm not knocking windows, really I'm not, but if after sales support is important to you it is there in abundance. And as you've probably discovered, if you really want to, you can take your apple kit to your local store to discuss your problem. I appreciate that past experience is important to you and naturally you are justly tempted to stick with what you know, I can understand that. I made the jump at aged 63. (And the people in this forum have been very helpful to me too).