XSeries-forum

I've been using Microsoft products all my IT life - ie since about 1996. I guess I'm not the only member here who has or does.

Currently I'm still using Windoze 8.1. It does all I want, and I've got used to it. But it does have some really annoying things that I've been unable to turn off - the charms, for example.
I also had a really stressful experience when it automatically updated to 10 a few years ago. I spent ages trying to roll it all back. Normally, I don't allow updates, but that particular one caught me out. Also, I now get messages every time I start the laptop telling me that I have to update to 10 or my device will become unusable. I can see this situation getting worse once 10 is forcibly replaced by 11 later this year.

Recently I've read of someone using Linux. To be honest I didn't understand a lot of the language, but it seems to be a case of "install it and forget it". No forced updates to deal with - or learn to live with. But is it useable enough for a technophobe? I bricked a laptop years ago and don't want to risk doing it again.

I used to know Linux but long forgotten. All I know is Outlook and PowerPoint now on Mac.

jaynana wrote: Fri Jan 31, 2025 10:42 amI used to know Linux but long forgotten. All I know is Outlook and PowerPoint now on Mac.

I don't need either of those. My e-mail account is web-based and, being retired, I have no need of doing presentations.

I know what you mean! One of my Windows 7 devices upgraded to Win 10 and lost all printing capability. Microsoft knew there were issues but said the only option was a full rebuild. I’ve not bothered.

Windows 10 will not be ‘forcibly’ replaced as many older computers (including all of mine) cannot use it due to motherboard requirements not being met. Win11 needs specific hardware to be present on the pcb.

What will happen is you will stop getting any more security patches/updates and some software vendors will remove support, but your kit will still work. I’m still running a number of Windows 7 machines, all long out of support, but they still work just fine.

Thanks for ^^^ that, X5Sport.

The ‘forced update’ happened to me too. With a Windows laptop I had kept for NCS Expert with my previous car. I also always used to refuse the updates but one day it caught me out.

Now it’s on Windows 10, sold the car so it’s not a bother for me.

It is easy enough to get windows 11 running on any pc but you need plenty of memory and if possible a SSD hard drive.
I do have an old laptop i bought new for diagnostics that is running windows 7 but i turned the wifi off on that one and any software i need i download on another pc.
I did have a go with Linux last year but couldn't get my old head round it at all.

If you do want to go down the Linux route, then have a look at Linux Mint. Their website has all the installation guides. Mint pretty much looks close to Windows 7 as a desktop.

If you have an Office 365 subscription then you just access via a browser. If not the LibreOffice is supposed to be very good. I have it in my Linux based NAS. Firefox is also available as is Mozilla Thunderbird (other options for email also around).