Windows 10.end support

[Guitarking]

Good morning!

Windows 10 support will end 14th October 2025.
I have a great pc that is not compatible with 11. And I do not want to buy a new machine.
I do have a windows 10 educational OS which is entitled ESU for 3 years.
Is this a wise solution?

Also, will pro audio equipment like RME and plugins like Waves Fab Filter and UAD become problematic with using windows 10 in the coming 3 years?

Tnx!

[Hugh Robjohns]

I still have an XP machine which continues to serve a useful function....

I wouldn't worry about MS' lack of 'support' just yet. It'll be fine for quite a while. Invest in a decent third-party anti-virus if you're worried, but I suspect MS will continue with Defender updates for a while yet.

RME are famous for supporting legacy OS and plugins aren't likely to be an issue in the next three years.

[Wonks]

There are ways and means to get Win 11 on just about any computer. I put it on two of my non-compliant computers (a PC and a laptop). So don't despair if you do run into problems with Win 10.

[OneWorld]

I still have some original Win95/98/XP install CDs and somehow can't bring myself to let them go, even though on eBay they are fetching £30+ on eBay

I think it safe to say you'll be OK with Win10 for sometime yet.

[James Perrett]

I've just used Rufus to allow me to update my lounge laptop to Windows 11. The laptop was originally intended to run Windows 7 but I think that it actually now runs Windows 11 better than previous versions of Windows. As far as I can tell everything still works as before although I've not tried Firewire yet. I have even managed to revert some of Windows 11's more annoying features back to looking like Windows 10.

I know that Windows 7 is the minimum for my current RME interface so I would expect 10 to be supported for quite a while. Even my old, 20002 vintage RME interface will work under Windows 10 - albeit in 32 bit only.

[ef37a]

"It's a plot!" I tell thee all to buy new computers!

I have said a few times before here that I have an HP g6 W7 laptop that still works fine, even on the internet. I even get updates for the Windows security app. Whether that is actually doing any good I don't know but I get no trouble.

I shall follow the same path with this W10 Lenovo and I am confident I shall be fine. If the Lenovo does go crook then I shall be looking for a refurbished W11 lappy but my experience with the machine I have got my son is such that it will be a sad day when/if I have to give up ten. HATE ELEVEN!

I also have a pretty nifty AMD desktop that I got upgraded from 7 to 10 earlier this year. That only works on the net via RJ45 so in extremis I just pull the plug!

Dave.

[James Perrett]

it will be a sad day when/if I have to give up ten. HATE ELEVEN!

At first I felt the same as you, but now I'd say that you've not given 11 a fair chance. If you force yourself to use it for a few weeks then you'll almost certainly find it better than 10. If, at the end of those few weeks, there are things that you prefer about 10 then a few registry edits will get those old features back again.

[ef37a]

it will be a sad day when/if I have to give up ten. HATE ELEVEN!

At first I felt the same as you, but now I'd say that you've not given 11 a fair chance. If you force yourself to use it for a few weeks then you'll almost certainly find it better than 10. If, at the end of those few weeks, there are things that you prefer about 10 then a few registry edits will get those old features back again.

Oooo! Never going to hack any registry James!

I have always only wanted computers for what they can do for me. Originally that was next to bugger all but typing and printing stuff was made great and then we had email and of course! The wonderful SoS forum!

It took us some time to get to grips with computer recording but once sorted, son especially was hooked.
I see a PC as a means to an end, like a car gets me from A to B. I am hissed off enough when I get in another car and the indicators are on the "wrong" side! Think how stupid it would be if the pedals were re-arranged? Bad enough finding screen washer functions!

So, I see the computer as a tool and remember? I am the bluntest tool in the box!

Dave.

[OneWorld]

I always have to be dragged kicking and screaming into a new version of Windows, we know what we like and we don't like change. I am like one of those cats on YouTube that falls in the bath.

But after a little while we adapt and feel quite happy with it. In the case of WIn11 (and WIn10) there is some free software called O&O Shutup and it strips the OS to the bone. Note of caution, use it with some knowledge of what you're doing because if you make a goof, you can only undo a change by using O&O Shutup, or better still - make a drive image.

There is a YoTu video, the name of which I cannot remember, but is straight to the point tutorial, without the presenter trying to pass himself off as a comic or telling his life story, and without irritating background music downing out the dialogue

[heartcore]

While win11 architecture is fine the problem is that it is bloated, a lot of processing power is going to be wasted on crap services and also the AI.

If you are a professional with a registered VAT you might be able to obtain a license for the IoT version of win 11 which is stripped down and has no bloatware AI and other crap, but you might have to configure a few things to make your software and hardware work.

The other best option is linux, you are going to spend a few days max setting everything up, but once up and running is better than windows even if it running windows plugins through wine. Make your self a favour and start researching the linux route

[James Perrett]

While win11 architecture is fine the problem is that it is bloated, a lot of processing power is going to be wasted on crap services and also the AI.

That's not my experience at all. It seems easy to turn off all the rubbish that Microsoft try to foist on you and have a system that works better under 11 than it did on 10.

The other best option is linux, you are going to spend a few days max setting everything up, but once up and running is better than windows even if it running windows plugins through wine. Make your self a favour and start researching the linux route

Having recently been involved in setting up a music computer running Linux I would have to say that it is a long way from being usable for the average person. I'm reasonably computer savvy but, if my lad hadn't helped me, I would have given up trying. There are still too many gotchas with Linux to make it usable by anyone non-technical.

However, once everything has been set up, it seems good and Windows plug-ins sometimes run better in Wine than they do in Windows.

[ef37a]

I do understand the need for OS software to evolve, what I don't get is why that cannot be incremental?
What purpose did it serve to move the start button or scrap the ability to move the taskbar? Surely these functions did not take up much computing power? And I am yet to work out how to do a screen grab.

I am sure someone here knows why Microsoft throw us these problems every few years but it beats me. Wonks tells us that almost any PC can be "upgraded" to 11 and I believe him but that makes Microsoft a big fat liar?

Dave.

[resistorman]

Since I'm a 365 subscriber and use the backup facilities, I just went to update on my creative machine and was given a 1 year reprieve for free instead of $30. It's only security updates, but I am more than happy about that

[ajay_m]

Go to any car boot sale and you will find that many of the laptops and whatnots for sale have been updated by the vendors to windows 11 including a not terribly modern HP weeny little computer I picked up for £35 a few weeks ago. And it seems to run fine despite very definitely lacking a TPM 2.0 module

[OneWorld]

Blocks all spyware on Win 10/11

https://www.oo-software.com/en/download ... ooshutup10

YouTube Tutorial on O&O Shutup by JayzTwoCents, a very advisable watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJSie_3ncc8

You'll be very surprised exactly what MicroSoft is scooping up, it's almost sinister. That's why they want us on Win11, they can root about in your bottom drawers - why? As it happens I have not long finished reading '1984' for the second time, the first time it seemed so improbable, not so sure about that now

And with Digital IDs coming in, we'll be surrendering everything to this digital destiny. As it happens I have not long finished reading '1984' for the second time, the first time it seemed so improbable, not so sure about that now. I knew I should have stuck with Win 3.11

[ef37a]

Blocks all spyware on Win 10/11

https://www.oo-software.com/en/download ... ooshutup10

YouTube Tutorial on O&O Shutup by JayzTwoCents, a very advisable watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJSie_3ncc8

You'll be very surprised exactly what MicroSoft is scooping up, it's almost sinister. That's why they want us on Win11, they can root about in your bottom drawers - why? As it happens I have not long finished reading '1984' for the second time, the first time it seemed so improbable, not so sure about that now

And with Digital IDs coming in, we'll be surrendering everything to this digital destiny. As it happens I have not long finished reading '1984' for the second time, the first time it seemed so improbable, not so sure about that now. I knew I should have stuck with Win 3.11

I don't know what the rules are here regarding posting "political" links so I won't but I do urge people to seek out the petition against digital ID (or any other form). It will cost billions and, as many other counties have found out, be of minimal effect. In any case, UK governments have a very poor record when it comes to matters IT!

Dave.

[OneWorld]

Blocks all spyware on Win 10/11

https://www.oo-software.com/en/download ... ooshutup10

YouTube Tutorial on O&O Shutup by JayzTwoCents, a very advisable watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJSie_3ncc8

You'll be very surprised exactly what MicroSoft is scooping up, it's almost sinister. That's why they want us on Win11, they can root about in your bottom drawers - why? As it happens I have not long finished reading '1984' for the second time, the first time it seemed so improbable, not so sure about that now

And with Digital IDs coming in, we'll be surrendering everything to this digital destiny. As it happens I have not long finished reading '1984' for the second time, the first time it seemed so improbable, not so sure about that now. I knew I should have stuck with Win 3.11

I don't know what the rules are here regarding posting "political" links so I won't but I do urge people to seek out the petition against digital ID (or any other form). It will cost billions and, as many other counties have found out, be of minimal effect. In any case, UK governments have a very poor record when it comes to matters IT!

Dave.

Yes I get your point, and mentioned it at risk of going political but wanted to make the point that we are surrendering to the big tech firms anyway, one commentator on the radio said you'd be alarmed at how much they are mopping up, and when the lush Digital ID contracts are handed out, who will get those contracts - we'll be sold down the 'river' the river where piranas swim.

The man in the YoTu video 'Jayz3cents' talked through a list of what data we are giving away. We are the product, and so if we are the product, we should be paid for it and have control over it. One lady on the radio wanted Facebook to purge itself of all and any content it had on her after she'd decided to close her account, and she said it was like pulling teeth, even trying to get in touch with them - 1984 - "No one knows who Big Brother is, no one can contact him"

Another caller to the radio programme cancelled their profile, but even after that the profile remained.

I'd like to know, if I mention something in an email, I get spam mail associated with the content of that email, yet when I purchase something, the seller has the clause "We do not share your data with a third party" I don't believe that any more.

[James Perrett]

Just had another nice surprise from Windows 11. It hasn't changed my update settings so I still control when they are downloaded. On the Pro version you can have total control over updates so this computer will never update unless I tell it to.

[Drew Stephenson]

I'd like to know, if I mention something in an email, I get spam mail associated with the content of that email, yet when I purchase something, the seller has the clause "We do not share your data with a third party" I don't believe that any more.

This will really depend on where the company is based. GDPR and the UK's equivalent DPA are pretty strong (some would say over-reach) and the fines are potent. The US (and many other countries) have nothing remotely as strong, punitive or enforced.
So a UK or EU company probably is doing their best to take care of your data - anywhere else? I wouldn't bank on it. (This also applies to companies that have a European subsidiary of an non-euro owner).

[OneWorld]

Just had another nice surprise from Windows 11. It hasn't changed my update settings so I still control when they are downloaded. On the Pro version you can have total control over updates so this computer will never update unless I tell it to.

I read somewhere that that is time limited eg, if you haven't downloaded the update within a certain time period, one month, or whatever, it over-rides that choice of no download on presentation of it. Unless they have changed that?

[Drew Stephenson]

Just had another nice surprise from Windows 11. It hasn't changed my update settings so I still control when they are downloaded. On the Pro version you can have total control over updates so this computer will never update unless I tell it to.

I think this is a key point really. If you're using the free version of something you've got to consider that the company involved has to be making money somewhere. If you want to have more control and a more transactional relationship, then pay for the upgrade.

[OneWorld]

Just had another nice surprise from Windows 11. It hasn't changed my update settings so I still control when they are downloaded. On the Pro version you can have total control over updates so this computer will never update unless I tell it to.

I think this is a key point really. If you're using the free version of something you've got to consider that the company involved has to be making money somewhere. If you want to have more control and a more transactional relationship, then pay for the upgrade.

"pay for the upgrade" this is what I don't understand. The last time I paid for a Windows OS was Win7, when I got it for a £1 educational discount as I was working as a uni lecturer at the time. I upgraded to Win10 after the grac period and the same with Win11.

However there is the claim that MS are as good as 'giving away' Win 11 because that way, Windows will become even more ubiquitous to the point there will be a total dependency on MS products. And it is claimed on the radio programme I am listening to, that this Digital ID is being pushed by the big tech companies, why else would they want our telephone number, face picture, fingerprints etc?

[James Perrett]

I read somewhere that that is time limited eg, if you haven't downloaded the update within a certain time period, one month, or whatever, it over-rides that choice of no download on presentation of it. Unless they have changed that?

That's the home version of Windows. The pro version allows updates to be indefinitely postponed if you change the right registry settings. On this system it tells me that updates are controlled by my organisation (i.e. me).

[FrankF]

And I am yet to work out how to do a screen grab.

Dave.

Right click if you're using Firefox, and then just select the screenshot option. I also have a FF Add-On called "Easy Screenshot", but I find it far too fiddly.

[James Perrett]

And I am yet to work out how to do a screen grab.

That hasn't changed for many many years. Alt-PrintScreen for the active window or just the PrintScreen button if you want full control over the area to be grabbed.