New computer

[GOPHER SLAYER]

My computer went berzerk so I bought a new one. My old one had Windows 7 which I liked. I now have Windows 10 which I do not like. It is much more difficult to use, to me at least. A simple job such as taking a picture and uploading it requires more steps and a multitude of choices which I don't want or need. I guess I am too old to change.

[Traffer]

I am a retired PC Tech. I have loaded Windows 7 on my computers because I do not like Windows 10 AND because Windows 10 was designed to capture as much information about the user as imaginable. In my opinion the basis of the system is spyware. Unwanted spyware. Unfortunately Microsoft is working to make Windows 7 obsolete so that everyone who has it now will be forced to use one of their new systems.

[farmerjim]

Get a $100 reconditioned PC and install Linux on it.

[CastingFool]

I don't like windows 10 either.

[tryNto]

If you like using a Smartphone you will like the way Win 10 works.
Nothing wrong with Win 10 once you get it set up properly so it acts like Win 8, which was so much better than Win 7. Started with Win 3.5 and liked XP the most.
Have tried Linux 3 different times and I am still not impressed.

[mold maker]

I governed 2 laptops and a desk unit with "W 7" on them and was totally satisfied. When "W 10" was touted as the only way of the future, I followed the instructions. Boy, what a mess. Weekly updates that require another to make the previous one work. New routes requiring many more key strokes to get from A to B are the norm. Everything needs new and more complicated passwords.
If it weren't for this forum and keeping up with some investments, I would unplug and scrap the whole mess.
I use IT for enjoyment and communications but the fun is now lacking, and at my age, the hassle is becoming a deterrent

[popper]

If you have the disk for 7 instal it. MS might say it's counterfeit but you can re register it.

[Traffer]

If you like using a Smartphone you will like the way Win 10 works.
Nothing wrong with Win 10 once you get it set up properly so it acts like Win 8, which was so much better than Win 7. Started with Win 3.5 and liked XP the most.
Have tried Linux 3 different times and I am still not impressed.

Starting with Windows 8 Microsoft has been tailoring the operating systems for touch screens. If you don't use a touch screen Windows 7 is about as good as it gets.

[Traffer]

If you have the disk for 7 instal it. MS might say it's counterfeit but you can re register it.

If you want to install Windows 7 (and are a bit handy with a computer) and don't have the means PM me.

[ThomR]

I haven't owned a computer with Windows on it for ten years. I only use Linux. Currently running Arch Linux on a Chromebook for personal use, and a random flavor of Ubuntu on my media center for Netflix and other streaming services.

[GhostHawk]

I recently took my wifes 2.5 yr old laptop that had managed to update itself while turned off. And it sat in the bag long enough that by the time I plugged it in, discovered it was still updating itself, I could not roll it back.

So it sat for another 6 months. Until I gave up and bought the wife a new laptop.

At which point it got wiped and I loaded Linux Mint 18.3 Cinnimon on it.

Very very few problems. It sits next to my casting station. Ready to play music, youtube video's or internet radio stations. It boots at least twice as fast, is easily configurable for just about whatever I want to do.

The biggest thing is learning file system and where it puts things compared to Win.

I have not tried much in the way of Games or Windows applications on it yet.
I do have WINE up and running. And use it to run Irfanview, a windows graphics program that I am very used to and just not willing to live without. I really only bothered with it as a learning experience, and because I have 20 years of experience with Irfanview, know it inside and out. So I don't have to think, I can just do.

When I can no longer get my little Asus Convertable tablet/laptop in Win 8.1 I will switch my upstairs computer to Linux also. That time may be quickly approaching.

Linux has been making big strides in making the changeover painless for windows users. But you do have to learn a few new things, make some adjustments.

Just my opinion of course, your mileage may vary.

[Smoke4320]

Computers are a necessary item for my businesses. As much as possible i now use linux mint 19 cinnamon. Its faster by a long shot, much less viruses and can run almost all windows programs.
For surfing/ email, or streaming linux is as great. Almost all programs are FREE

[waksupi]

Last week I had all of Windows 10 removed, and Linux Mint installed. Huge difference! I'll never go back to windows.

[DerekP Houston]

I am a retired PC Tech. I have loaded Windows 7 on my computers because I do not like Windows 10 AND because Windows 10 was designed to capture as much information about the user as imaginable. In my opinion the basis of the system is spyware. Unwanted spyware. Unfortunately Microsoft is working to make Windows 7 obsolete so that everyone who has it now will be forced to use one of their new systems.

lol same here, I refuse to upgrade my work laptop to 10 but my desktop is stuck with it. We are being told it will be forced out eventually.

[popper]

Anybody have the legal disks for W7 to upgrade a machine from XP and get the counterfeit software pop-up? What is the process to re-register? I had to change my hard drive, no problem but the wife's gets that stupid thing all the time.

[Smoke4320]

Linux mint 19 comes with a full office suite that can use windows files, an email program that is simple and quick, Firefox as a web browser, Linux Chromium version of chrome again very fast

[Traffer]

Anybody have the legal disks for W7 to upgrade a machine from XP and get the counterfeit software pop-up? What is the process to re-register? I had to change my hard drive, no problem but the wife's gets that stupid thing all the time.

Unfortunately it is not that simple. Every brand of computer needs its respective Windows installation disk. For example, you cannot use a Windows install disk from a HP on a Dell etc. It also has to be the correct version SP1 etc., They want people to have to buy a new computer every time the operating system needs changing for any reason. I have spent a great deal of time and energy on the phone with Microsoft trying to sort out many registrations. Nowadays it takes quite a bit of work just to get to a real person on the other end to deal with it.

[rfd]

as a long time IT guy who started with database management and refrigerator sized computers back in the early 70's, i cut my eye teeth on unix and its derivations. once linux became more relevant in terms of useful applications for both business and personal use, i hopped on the bandwagon ASAP and won't ever look back to that Horrible nasty a$$ windows junk. it IS junk. period. linux mint is my choice, and what most of us should be using. not at all much different than windows ... in fact for most of us, lots better.

[Tom W.]

I ended up having to buy an HP Chromebook. I'm getting used to it, albeit slowly.... I looked at a Dell w/ Windows and decided that I'd had enough of their brand of manure that comes from the male gender of cattle.

[rfd]

unless yer into gaming, y'all want the FREE linux operating system. it will look and work like windows, only better and faster, and blow away that limiting chromebook OS. the two most popular linux operating systems are "ubuntu" and "mint". mint is just an extended version of ubuntu. linux "ubuntu" can be dual booted on most chromebooks ....

https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-run-both-chrome-os-and-ubuntu-on-a-chromebook/

if yer seeking to buy a computer, it doesn't take an expensive laptop to run linux, either. i bought a lenovo fully solid state 110s last year for $125 for the wife and loaded it with mint for emails, web browsing, and office apps. some laptop brands will be better for linux than others. mint also works better than windows on machines that don't have a lot of cpu horsepower or memory. go to https://forums.linuxmint.com/ and inquire about mint machine preferences. mint also comes with all the apps most folks require, and all are ... yep, free. don't know much about computers and are somewhat confused and/or intimidated? seek help from most any high school kid - i kid you not.