Windows 10! Good or Bad?

[Crevan Fox]

I'm unsure about Windows 10, really. On the one side it is far more intuitive and better designed than Windows 8 (though not quite the same as 7, imo) but on the other side I'm concerned about privacy and restrictions that is has. One example out of many would be the 'free' update you get if you already own 7 or 8. Nothing is free. Oh and the inability to turn off Windows Update/disable certain updates that the previous versions of Windows had. Plays havoc with hybrid graphics that need 3rd party drivers. Directx 12 is awesome, though. Less power/heat for more performance 

All in all, I think I'll try and use Linux where I can.

[G-Root Liska]

I've had windows 10 for a while. I did it with Microsoft Insider and it has come a long way from the first time it was released to insiders.

I really like the new Microsoft Edge. Believe it or not to me it feels like Google Chrome but with Microsoft badging on it. I read online somewhere that Edge is the same system that Chrome uses which boils down to Chromium. Chromium is the mother of chrome and I would say now Edge.

The functionality of Windows 7 and Windows 8 built into 10 is a plus. It has been pretty stable for me even though every now and then I have a mess up with the Store.

I was kind of upset to see that Windows IE is still built into it but hiding in the corners same as Media Player since now its Groove. However I feel that its a plus too since most things out there still use Media Player. I can't wait till Windows 10 is updating and the bugs are removed since it still has some bugs to it.

I also never had a problem with Drivers considering my Machine is a bit on the old side.

[Timmy Fox]

I also never had a problem with Drivers considering my Machine is a bit on the old side.

Just wanna point out; I would say drivers has almost not been an issue since Windows 7. With Windows 8 they made almost all modern devices be recognized and usable without installing almost any drivers. Sure some peripherals and stuff still come supplied with drivers but they'll still function 100% without installing those drivers which was a huge step forward with Windows 8, meaning that almost the only driver most people would need to install was the graphics card driver and potentially a sound card driver (depending on if you've got a separate sound card).

And of course, Windows 10 has improved this even further. The few compatibility issues that existed have most likely been fixed since a while back now (some, like an Nvidia driver, was even fixed in less than 24 hours of 10 was released to everyone).

[Crevan Fox]

I also never had a problem with Drivers considering my Machine is a bit on the old side.

The new Windows 10 update system does mess around with my laptop, surprisingly. On Windows 8/8.1 and before you could select what updates/drivers you wanted to install using Windows Update, but since Windows 10 it's either 'you get all updates or no updates, as the end user is too dumb to decide on a per-update basis'. No joke, Microsoft basically said users were too dumb to decide for themselves. As a result, in my case, it messes up the hybrid graphics I require, by overwriting the special software/drivers it needs with the generic rubbish Microsoft publishes just because theirs is slightly newer. Even Windows 8 was better, and that's saying something as that was an awful OS. I think they should just bring back 7's update system, as it still found drivers for everything just fine without messing with anything else.

Also, privacy sucks.
Plus they've (since 8/8.1) started treating all platforms the same by releasing the same OS, which is just stupid, as a mobile phone or tablet, for example, differ inherently to other systems such as laptops or desktops. It's just them trying to save money and then fooling us into thinking it's a radical and brilliant change.

[Trixsie Vixen]

I have to admit I was reluctant to move to Win8 and still find the metro and pop out side bar annoying.  But am otherwise pretty happy.  The main thing I missed from 7 was Microsoft Picture Manager.  It has some really useful functions and there is no equivalent in Win8.  I'm kinda hoping that they've got something new and shiny in 10 which doesn't lose the functionality from 7.


Does anyone know about this issue?

[Timmy Fox]

I also never had a problem with Drivers considering my Machine is a bit on the old side.

The new Windows 10 update system does mess around with my laptop, surprisingly. On Windows 8/8.1 and before you could select what updates/drivers you wanted to install using Windows Update, but since Windows 10 it's either 'you get all updates or no updates, as the end user is too dumb to decide on a per-update basis'. No joke, Microsoft basically said users were too dumb to decide for themselves. As a result, in my case, it messes up the hybrid graphics I require, by overwriting the special software/drivers it needs with the generic rubbish Microsoft publishes just because theirs is slightly newer. Even Windows 8 was better, and that's saying something as that was an awful OS. I think they should just bring back 7's update system, as it still found drivers for everything just fine without messing with anything else.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3073930
I think that should fix your issue.

Also, privacy sucks.
Plus they've (since 8/8.1) started treating all platforms the same by releasing the same OS, which is just stupid, as a mobile phone or tablet, for example, differ inherently to other systems such as laptops or desktops. It's just them trying to save money and then fooling us into thinking it's a radical and brilliant change.

Honestly, say what you want about the privacy issue but it's really nothing different from what they've been doing since at least Vista or 7 (if not earlier).

If it really bothers you, stop using Windows and switch to a Linux distro that you've read through the whole source code and compiled by yourself (don't use Ubuntu, that one's kinda iffy these days). Also to be completely safe - don't use anything Google (including Youtube) and, in fact, unplug your internet connection because even your ISP most likely is spying on you to some degree.

There's also this video which gives some basic tips to fix the known privacy issues, though take it with a grain of salt because they suggest uninstalling certain core features and seem a bit sided (completely neglecting that Google is spying just as much).

I have to admit I was reluctant to move to Win8 and still find the metro and pop out side bar annoying.  But am otherwise pretty happy.  The main thing I missed from 7 was Microsoft Picture Manager.  It has some really useful functions and there is no equivalent in Win8.  I'm kinda hoping that they've got something new and shiny in 10 which doesn't lose the functionality from 7.


Does anyone know about this issue?

Well, you have the choice between Windows Photo Viewer which is the traditional image viewer that's been around for quite a while. There's also the "Photos" app which is MUCH improved from the Windows 8/8.1 version.

[Crevan Fox]

That isn't really a fix so much as a plaster for the issue, though

Post Merge: September 22, 2015, 08:38:36 PM

That isn't really a fix so much as a plaster for the issue, though

Oh and I knew about the fix anyway, I just used another method to bypass it. And I also know that everyone breaches privacy stuff, I just expected better from a Windows OS. And I do use Linux, avidly.

[Timmy Fox]

That isn't really a fix so much as a plaster for the issue, though

Well, regular Windows updates are good and I don't really see why anyone would wanna not install them (like, they fix issues and bugs and stuff! Some can be quite important because they would render certain malware useless even) so say what you want update patches and security updates but there's no reason for almost anyone not to install them.

Driver updates however can be bit more of a mixed bag. The tool linked is one that will allow you to mark certain such updates as problematic and prevent them from installing.

If you for some reason don't want them and have got the Pro-edition of Windows 10 you can also go into uh, Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Advanced options > Check "Defer upgrades". Also in the same menu you would probably want to change the top dropdown menu from "Automatic (recommended)" to "Notify to schedule start".

Note that deferring upgrades will make certain upgrades that you might want not be available to you until' a while later and also that just changing the updates to not be automatic without deferring them will prevent them from being downloaded but will still require you install them (however with the aforementioned tool you can effectively 'hide' the ones you do not want without even installing them in the first place.

Though do be aware that if you get any viruses or crashes, you have just yourself to blame if you've hidden the update that's supposed to fix that!

I just expected better from a Windows OS. And I do use Linux, avidly.

Honestly, why? Microsoft has been doing this for several years and were actually found to be one of the biggest offenders when the whole NSA/Snowden thing first was revealed.

[Crevan Fox]

But that's not related to what I said at all. Of course I know that certain updates are needed, I just want to be the one to pick what ones are installed and which, chiefly drivers for certain stuff, are omitted. Plus the automatic update to 'notify to schedule restart' setting literally just changes when they're installed, not what is installed. Also, that tool you suggested (which I have tried in the past) only temporarily hides them. It's just a poor effort on their side for the update system and treating the end user like an idiot.

Another thing, I'm not uneducated with the computing world, as I'm sure you're aware. I've been through all those solutions and more previously.

I just expected better from a Windows OS. And I do use Linux, avidly.

Honestly, why? Microsoft has been doing this for several years and were actually found to be one of the biggest offenders when the whole NSA/Snowden thing first was revealed.

I guess I should have known better, yes, that MS is just like a lot of big companies and abuses the end user's privacy. I suppose I was a bit naive there.

[Trixsie Vixen]

Thanks Timmy.  Will have to check it out.  The Photos app for 8 was so annoying.  No rotation by degree or colour adjust without those stupid dials!  UGH!!