Windows 10 "updates" ......

Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 477
Likes: 0
From: North by Northwest
I too have found that the latest W10 update, which took hours to install has significantly slowed the start up of my laptop (also a Lenovo but older than yours). Once it starts it is not too bad but to be honest I now tend to use my phone as it is so much quicker.
Not an IT person so I can not give you any advice.
Not an IT person so I can not give you any advice.

Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 477
Likes: 0
From: North by Northwest
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...ling-in-window
https://www.howtogeek.com/224471/how...ading-updates/
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Mexico
Have a rethink - you can get Linux distros which look and perform almost identically to Windows if that is what you feel comfortable with. Personally I hate Microsoft products with a passion specifically for the update sagas that you highlight and rather than fight against the tide perhaps you should consider just changing your OS.
You can then spend your time using your PC for work and play rather than fighting Bill Gates.

Joined: May 2009
Posts: 611
Likes: 62
From: Down under
Have a rethink - you can get Linux distros which look and perform almost identically to Windows if that is what you feel comfortable with. Personally I hate Microsoft products with a passion specifically for the update sagas that you highlight and rather than fight against the tide perhaps you should consider just changing your OS.
You can then spend your time using your PC for work and play rather than fighting Bill Gates.
You can then spend your time using your PC for work and play rather than fighting Bill Gates.
I liked the idea of Linux and I tried. I really tried, but in the end it became an endless source of frustration. I won't expand upon the frequent times one has to resort to the command line and it's totally foreign, nay alien language.
Mind you, I'll admit to qualifying as a grumpy old sod these days, and over the past 35 years or so, I've had to wrestle with quite a few different operating systems starting with TRS-80 cassette (CLOAD - any remember what that was like?).
But Linux beat me. These days I sit here as a total slave to whatever Micro$oft throws at me. Most of the time it works. Even Windows 10. (I can hardly believe I wrote that)
FOR
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: In the southwest of it
I was told by a computer salesman, that you must uninstall whatever you're using, THEN, install W10 from scratch; "updating" to W10 is a nightmare; if that's what you're talking about, it's worth a try...

Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: mids
There is a huge difference between an OEM Microsoft distro of win 10 and one you get when buying a PC from a name. Its faster and no bloatware.
Now some claim that it its illegal to kill the installation that comes with a PC because the "price" reflects the bloat wear and advertising income.
And if you want to control when the updates download turn your internet connections to metered then it will tell you when they are available but won't download them. You won't have control over what it downloads when you trigger it but at least you can trigger it before you go to bed and its done its thing by the time you wake up.
Now some claim that it its illegal to kill the installation that comes with a PC because the "price" reflects the bloat wear and advertising income.
And if you want to control when the updates download turn your internet connections to metered then it will tell you when they are available but won't download them. You won't have control over what it downloads when you trigger it but at least you can trigger it before you go to bed and its done its thing by the time you wake up.

Joined: Mar 2013
Aviation Qualifications: Non-Aircrew
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: UK
I'm afraid that hasn't been my experience. Mr brief flirtations with the penguin have pretty well all been cursed with recurring updates. Sometimes the "updates" quarrel with the current kernel version. Sometimes the updates required a different driver than the one in use - wireless cards are usually singled out - not to mention bluetooth. Eventually after some months one is advised that this version of Linux is no longer supported and one needs to update to the latest version, only to discover that it's a complete rehash of the interface and nothing one used previously can be found.
I liked the idea of Linux and I tried. I really tried, but in the end it became an endless source of frustration. I won't expand upon the frequent times one has to resort to the command line and it's totally foreign, nay alien language.
Mind you, I'll admit to qualifying as a grumpy old sod these days, and over the past 35 years or so, I've had to wrestle with quite a few different operating systems starting with TRS-80 cassette (CLOAD - any remember what that was like?).
But Linux beat me. These days I sit here as a total slave to whatever Micro$oft throws at me. Most of the time it works. Even Windows 10. (I can hardly believe I wrote that)
FOR
I liked the idea of Linux and I tried. I really tried, but in the end it became an endless source of frustration. I won't expand upon the frequent times one has to resort to the command line and it's totally foreign, nay alien language.
Mind you, I'll admit to qualifying as a grumpy old sod these days, and over the past 35 years or so, I've had to wrestle with quite a few different operating systems starting with TRS-80 cassette (CLOAD - any remember what that was like?).
But Linux beat me. These days I sit here as a total slave to whatever Micro$oft throws at me. Most of the time it works. Even Windows 10. (I can hardly believe I wrote that)
FOR
It updates cleanly between releases with no major changes to the interface & I have not experienced the problems you are having with kernels & drivers, however generally if there is an issue googling it will find a solution.
Win 10 was installed on one of my laptops and after repeated fights to get it to load as part of the free upgrade from 8.1 I was successful, but since then it hasn't been used. However I also have a legal copy of Win 7 installed as a virtual machine in Linux Mint to allow me to use the few essential programs & communicate with hardware that insist on Windows (e.g. Garmin Base Camp).
Plastic PPRuNer

Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,902
Likes: 0
From: Rochechouart, France
Another vote for Mint Cinnamon - smooth as a tomcat pissing on glass…
As with most of the mainline Linux distros, it'll pretty much look after itself if you're not computer smart, while (of course) letting you tinker to your heart's content if you are.
[still trying to get my head round systemd, but that's MY problem…]
Mac
As with most of the mainline Linux distros, it'll pretty much look after itself if you're not computer smart, while (of course) letting you tinker to your heart's content if you are.
[still trying to get my head round systemd, but that's MY problem…]
Mac
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 463
Likes: 0
From: Canada
I believe that translates into 'less likely to screw up your computer with a random update than Windows 10 is'.
The only real issue I've had with updates to our Linux PCs at home was when a kernel change made it incompatible with the onboard-chipset video driver that AMD hadn't updated in over five years. But if the driver had come from the distribution rather than AMD, it would have been fixed before the update was pushed out (AFAIR the fix was a one line change to the code).
So I'm thoroughly puzzled by all the people who report that they had zillions of problems getting Linux to work. Unless they're installing random software from source code and expecting not to have to keep it up-to-date.
Meanwhile, my VR headset is currently dead because the manufacturer apparently let their driver-signing certificate expire and Windows won't let the driver run.
The only real issue I've had with updates to our Linux PCs at home was when a kernel change made it incompatible with the onboard-chipset video driver that AMD hadn't updated in over five years. But if the driver had come from the distribution rather than AMD, it would have been fixed before the update was pushed out (AFAIR the fix was a one line change to the code).
So I'm thoroughly puzzled by all the people who report that they had zillions of problems getting Linux to work. Unless they're installing random software from source code and expecting not to have to keep it up-to-date.
Meanwhile, my VR headset is currently dead because the manufacturer apparently let their driver-signing certificate expire and Windows won't let the driver run.

Joined: May 2009
Posts: 611
Likes: 62
From: Down under
Thank you HowardB for your well considered word of encouragement, and apologies for the delay in getting back.
I did give that combination an honest try a little while back, and yes it was appealing in a far more attractive way than the (mostly) Ubuntu variations previously tried.
What it did prove to me was that I was locked into several Windoze applications which I needed to perform first up every time without having to either fiddle with settings or learn to do things in a completely new way. Most of these were Amateur Radio programs and this was also the computer which drives the Canon scanner - that didn't look like an adventure I would enjoy.
I think it boils down to the rather cruel fact that one is wired to work either with Linux or with something else. My age probably is an influencing factor here - something about an old dog learning new tricks. As mentioned earlier, I've had to learn quite a few operating systems since I first sat down in from of my very own computer somewhere around 25 years ago. Perhaps NOSF (New Operating System Fatigue) has well and truly set in.
I did set up a new W10 system this morning for long term connection to the WW in an Amateur Radio role. My old Win XP machine still did it all, but .... well ... you know the rest.
So thank you again; clearly for those who both understand and type the language Linux uses, it's an excellent and versatile alternative to those mainstream alternatives.
Long may it be so.
FOR
I did give that combination an honest try a little while back, and yes it was appealing in a far more attractive way than the (mostly) Ubuntu variations previously tried.
What it did prove to me was that I was locked into several Windoze applications which I needed to perform first up every time without having to either fiddle with settings or learn to do things in a completely new way. Most of these were Amateur Radio programs and this was also the computer which drives the Canon scanner - that didn't look like an adventure I would enjoy.
I think it boils down to the rather cruel fact that one is wired to work either with Linux or with something else. My age probably is an influencing factor here - something about an old dog learning new tricks. As mentioned earlier, I've had to learn quite a few operating systems since I first sat down in from of my very own computer somewhere around 25 years ago. Perhaps NOSF (New Operating System Fatigue) has well and truly set in.
I did set up a new W10 system this morning for long term connection to the WW in an Amateur Radio role. My old Win XP machine still did it all, but .... well ... you know the rest.
So thank you again; clearly for those who both understand and type the language Linux uses, it's an excellent and versatile alternative to those mainstream alternatives.
Long may it be so.
FOR
Gnome de PPRuNe



Joined: Jan 2002
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 15,198
Likes: 1,201
From: Too close to Croydon for comfort
I "own" four laptops, I have two and have passed two on to a friend; two are six or seven years old and are now "reserves" for each of us, one is four years old, the other a year. I successfully upgraded three of them to W10, the newest W10 came as standard.
I've rebuilt the newer two, stepped on one (oops) and knackered the HD (rebuilt this is now my friend's primary laptop), on my newest one W10 committed digital suicide at Christmas. It's now working great again...
For some reason one of the original pair (my friend's) won't now accept updates - a particular one just hangs and has done so since late last year - and nor can I find any way to repair or reinstall W10. Looking on Google, it seems to be widespread problem which MS have not resolved. The other one works just fine.
As it should be more or less identical to my spare, plan is to swap the HDs when I have some time and see if it works; if so then copy good HD to the other. No idea if that's a workable solution...
I've rebuilt the newer two, stepped on one (oops) and knackered the HD (rebuilt this is now my friend's primary laptop), on my newest one W10 committed digital suicide at Christmas. It's now working great again...
For some reason one of the original pair (my friend's) won't now accept updates - a particular one just hangs and has done so since late last year - and nor can I find any way to repair or reinstall W10. Looking on Google, it seems to be widespread problem which MS have not resolved. The other one works just fine.
As it should be more or less identical to my spare, plan is to swap the HDs when I have some time and see if it works; if so then copy good HD to the other. No idea if that's a workable solution...
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Mexico
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 21
From: YMML
Boot from a Win10 installation DVD or USB flash drive and you'll be able to reinstall. Just make sure you use the same language, type (as in Home or Pro) and bit-ness (32- or 64-bit) as you have installed.
Your plan to copy drives may work provided the installations were the same types as above - Win10 activation relies on "digital entitlement" stored on MS servers, not serial numbers/keys so the fact the hardware has had Win10 previously installed means it's "entitled" and doesn't care that the drive is from another laptop. FWIW I've successfully transferred a Win10 drive from HP to Lenovo.
Your plan to copy drives may work provided the installations were the same types as above - Win10 activation relies on "digital entitlement" stored on MS servers, not serial numbers/keys so the fact the hardware has had Win10 previously installed means it's "entitled" and doesn't care that the drive is from another laptop. FWIW I've successfully transferred a Win10 drive from HP to Lenovo.
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 463
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Tell that to all the people whose scanners stopped working when Microsoft disabled them in a compulsory update. Or my Windows 7 PC where 'Windows Update' started permanently sucking up the whole of one core to do... some kind of stuff... until I downloaded a magic fix from Microsoft to make it work properly again.
I'm constantly being asked to help people fix their broken Windows PCs. Fortunately, since I mostly use Linux these days, I can just tell most of them 'sorry, I don't know about Windows'.
Weird. I put an M.2 SSD into my laptop to replace the hard drive, put the Ubuntu DVD in the DVD drive, booted up, clicked 'install' and it was done in half an hour.
I'm constantly being asked to help people fix their broken Windows PCs. Fortunately, since I mostly use Linux these days, I can just tell most of them 'sorry, I don't know about Windows'.
In my experience even the so-called "non-geek" distros often require "under the hood" knowledge to either install or keep running.

Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 477
Likes: 0
From: North by Northwest
Another vote for Mint Cinnamon - smooth as a tomcat pissing on glass…
As with most of the mainline Linux distros, it'll pretty much look after itself if you're not computer smart, while (of course) letting you tinker to your heart's content if you are.
[still trying to get my head round systemd, but that's MY problem…]
Mac
As with most of the mainline Linux distros, it'll pretty much look after itself if you're not computer smart, while (of course) letting you tinker to your heart's content if you are.
[still trying to get my head round systemd, but that's MY problem…]
Mac
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7,056
Likes: 2
From: London
I'm with PDR here - I know a lot of people like "working under the hood" and I'm willing to believe they may get a better product than vanilla W10 - but the same applies to cars
I COULD spend hours and have fun tweaking my motor - but I choose to get my kicks elsewhere and all I want is for it to start every morning. Not exciting but it works 99.9999% of the time
Same with computer systems - and I go back to ALGOL..................
I COULD spend hours and have fun tweaking my motor - but I choose to get my kicks elsewhere and all I want is for it to start every morning. Not exciting but it works 99.9999% of the time
Same with computer systems - and I go back to ALGOL..................

Joined: May 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 27,397
Likes: 857
From: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
Like everything else at QMC in 1969-73, very little was actually taught to Aero Eng students - we spent our days copying down notes and trying to work out what the heck it all meant...
Flying Chipmunks at ULAS was much more fun, so my 3 year course became a 4 year course...
...which was about the time computers began to appear. No-one taught us how to use them either.
Even our simple ones! I recall collecting a huge pile of tractor-feed paper when a program didn't work. But the realisation was that this was an excellent source of free scrap paper. Thus every so often I handed over my Fortran cards to the lovely Linda, then came back a few days later to collect my free paper!
Then in 1973 a Thing appeared known as a 'VDU' - like a little TV with a keyboard attached. I avoided computers for the next 12 years until the squadron acquired a BBC Master, on which I taught myself to write programs for interception procedures using co-ordinate geometry and trigonometry, then the revised figures for tanker rendezvous procedures when the SOP overtake and roll-out values were amended. The RAF was going to pay around £25K for Queera to do that - instead they gave me £0.... The RV values are still in use today.
But programming? Someone else can do that as far as I'm concerned. I just want my laptops to run as I need them to. No childish rubbish like that Cortina thing either!
As for Linux, when I was working for a company in Germany, the resident geek started some message and data store thing which ran on that. The MD asked "What is this bloody penguin nonsense?" and we soon reverted back to Windows!
Flying Chipmunks at ULAS was much more fun, so my 3 year course became a 4 year course......which was about the time computers began to appear. No-one taught us how to use them either.
I do remember at Uni the more complex assignments were done by punching a pile of cards and taking them over the the data-processing building to put them in the queue for running.
Then in 1973 a Thing appeared known as a 'VDU' - like a little TV with a keyboard attached. I avoided computers for the next 12 years until the squadron acquired a BBC Master, on which I taught myself to write programs for interception procedures using co-ordinate geometry and trigonometry, then the revised figures for tanker rendezvous procedures when the SOP overtake and roll-out values were amended. The RAF was going to pay around £25K for Queera to do that - instead they gave me £0.... The RV values are still in use today.
But programming? Someone else can do that as far as I'm concerned. I just want my laptops to run as I need them to. No childish rubbish like that Cortina thing either!
As for Linux, when I was working for a company in Germany, the resident geek started some message and data store thing which ran on that. The MD asked "What is this bloody penguin nonsense?" and we soon reverted back to Windows!
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7,056
Likes: 2
From: London
A Canon Problem rather than a W10 one .....
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...5-67c630795159
Last Win 10 update disabled my scanner
I had two scanners and two printers which worked fine with Windows 10 -- until that ghastly update in September, 2016, which disabled almost all of my peripherals, including the scanners and printers. I had to buy a new printer.
After Microsoft hastily issued a fix for that update, my Canon scanner worked again -- until the last update last week. Now Win 10 doesn't recognize the scanner any more. Or should I say again?
I'm getting really tired of MS's arbitrarily disabling my equipment at what seems to be their whim.
Canon has not issued a driver update for whatever happens to be the latest configuration of Win 10, and I can't say I blame them. The point is, the scanner worked fine until MS started "updating". As far as I can tell, they haven't updated anything except my blood pressure.
I'm a small business -- I don't have an IT department with unlimited funds at my disposal. I just want to get my equipment working reliably.
Does anybody have any idea how I can get my scanner working again?
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...5-67c630795159
Last Win 10 update disabled my scanner
I had two scanners and two printers which worked fine with Windows 10 -- until that ghastly update in September, 2016, which disabled almost all of my peripherals, including the scanners and printers. I had to buy a new printer.
After Microsoft hastily issued a fix for that update, my Canon scanner worked again -- until the last update last week. Now Win 10 doesn't recognize the scanner any more. Or should I say again?
I'm getting really tired of MS's arbitrarily disabling my equipment at what seems to be their whim.
Canon has not issued a driver update for whatever happens to be the latest configuration of Win 10, and I can't say I blame them. The point is, the scanner worked fine until MS started "updating". As far as I can tell, they haven't updated anything except my blood pressure.
I'm a small business -- I don't have an IT department with unlimited funds at my disposal. I just want to get my equipment working reliably.
Does anybody have any idea how I can get my scanner working again?




