starkers starkers

My Thoughts On Windows 10 Now

▼

My Thoughts On Windows 10 Now

from WinCustomize Forums

In the early days I made it quite clear that I did not like Win 10 and that I'd stick with Win 8.1 because it is fast, stable and reliable.  In fact, I'm still using 8.1 on my main rig and am happy with the choice to remain with it.  However, I have Win 10 0n my HP 2-in1 and like it much better now that I've tweaked it to suit my likes and needs.  In some cases I used 3rd-party apps to achieve the desired result, but often times I could adjust things in 'Settings' to apply my personal preferences.

In a nutshell, I like Win 10 better than when it was first released.  With my own tweaks and some Windows updates, 10 is a more usable OS and subsequently is getting better all the time.  Is it my favourite OS of all time?  No, and it may never be, but I have learnt to co-exist with it and find a happy medium.  It isn't all the way there yet, but I have high hopes that 10 will be made better, either through Windows Update and/or 3rd-party programmes.  Heck, I may even install it on my main rigs some time further down the track.

:)

387,145 views 62 replies
Reply #26 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting BlackSmokeDMax, reply 25

Instead of shutting down your internet, look into your routers settings. You should find a section in there for turning off access to that computer by using a time schedule.
End of BlackSmokeDMax's quote

Thanks for that, I'll have a look at it after I've gotten a bit of shuteye and feel more refreshed.  :thumbsup:

Reply #27 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Took the WIn10 plunge for free, am not impressed with it. Using Windows Ultimate Tweaker 4 combined with Ashampoo's WinOptimizer 14 I've pretty much taken over control of my update process. I've turned it off and only allow updates once I've read about them. I also use Stardock's WindowBlinds and Start10 to make things look more to my liking.

 

Starker's, one other option you have other than mucking around with your router/modem and its' settings is to use a program like Network Activity Indicator (http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/network_activity_indicator_for_windows_7.html) which gives back the old Win7 network graphic, all I do before shutting off my computer is just turn off my network connection. Right click on the icon in the notification area and click on "Network Connections" and then just disable it. Re-enable it when you want to go online. I do this all the time throughout my day. I only enable it when I actually want to go online... Yes, paranoid is my middle name. ;)

+1 Loading…
Ashes of the Singularity II
Reply #28 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Thanks for the tip :thumbsup: , I had thought about checking Majorgeeks for some such tool to just cut the connection to my HP 2-in-1

 

Anyway, downloaded, installed and ready to take effect when I'm ready for bed... in about 20 mins, I hope. :)

Reply #29 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting starkers, reply 28

Thanks for the tip :thumbsup: , I had thought about checking Majorgeeks for some such tool to just cut the connection to my HP 2-in-1

 

Anyway, downloaded, installed and ready to take effect when I'm ready for bed... in about 20 mins, I hope. :)
End of starkers's quote

 

Pleasure, mate. Hope it helps you and your situation.

Reply #30 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I checked for updates today and they installed without a problem.  My Windows phone got updates too.  Setting the updates to "manual" worked just as I hoped it would.  I thought some of you might be interested in the article below.  Krebs on Security is one of my favorite sites.  I've learned a lot from him.  Hope you like it too.  

https://krebsonsecurity.com/2016/10/microsoft-no-more-pick-and-choose-patching/  

Reply #31 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Avatar137, reply 27

Took the WIn10 plunge for free, am not impressed with it. Using Windows Ultimate Tweaker 4 combined with Ashampoo's WinOptimizer 14 I've pretty much taken over control of my update process. I've turned it off and only allow updates once I've read about them. I also use Stardock's WindowBlinds and Start10 to make things look more to my liking.

 

Starker's, one other option you have other than mucking around with your router/modem and its' settings is to use a program like Network Activity Indicator (http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/network_activity_indicator_for_windows_7.html) which gives back the old Win7 network graphic, all I do before shutting off my computer is just turn off my network connection. Right click on the icon in the notification area and click on "Network Connections" and then just disable it. Re-enable it when you want to go online. I do this all the time throughout my day. I only enable it when I actually want to go online... Yes, paranoid is my middle name. ;)
End of Avatar137's quote
Thanks for link, Avatar137.  Just what I was looking for.  I am paranoid too.  There's a lot of really bad stuff out there.  XD

Reply #32 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting Cameochi, reply 31
Thanks for link, Avatar137.  Just what I was looking for.  
End of Cameochi's quote

Glad to hear it! Enjoy.

 

I am paranoid too.  There's a lot of really bad stuff out there.  XD
End of quote

 

Yeah, sometimes I debate whether I want to leave the house in the morning... ;)

Reply #33 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Avatar137, reply 32

Yeah, sometimes I debate whether I want to leave the house in the morning...
End of Avatar137's quote

If I were a little green muppet from a bad Science Fiction I'd likely stay home too...;)

Reply #34 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting Jafo, reply 33
If I were a little green muppet from a bad Science Fiction I'd likely stay home too...;)
End of Jafo's quote

 

Who you callin' a little green muppet!?! Guards! ;)

Reply #35 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting Avatar137, reply 34


Quoting Jafo,
reply 33
If I were a little green muppet from a bad Science Fiction I'd likely stay home too...;)



 

Who you callin' a little green muppet!?! Guards! ;)

End of Avatar137's quote

Shouldn't that be: Who a little green muppet calling you are? {sounds of light saber being drawn} :D

Reply #36 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Hide all the breakables! :rofl:

Reply #37 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Strange feature in Windows 10 worth knowing about: Auto-compression of wallpapers.

http://www.askvg.com/tip-disable-automatic-compression-of-desktop-wallpaper-in-windows-10/

Especially if you have a nice screen you probably want your wallpaper in full glory.

Reply #38 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Uvah, reply 36

Hide all the breakables! :rofl:
End of Uvah's quote

And beware of low blows... put on yer nut protectors. :-" ;P :grin:

Reply #39 from WinCustomize Forums Top

The latest with Windows 10.  Here is an upcoming build 14951 (Redstone 2) which has been released to the Fast Track insiders.  I am on the Slow Track so haven't had to deal with it yet, thank goodness.  This build may not install correctly (or fail) on computer using third party antivirus software.  That would be me.  Hopefully, temporarily disabling Kaspersky will be enough to allow it to install. 

The estimated date for full release is in January so I may see it in December.  If you see my avatar with flames, you will know it didn't go well.  :grin:  I've included a link to the upcoming build below.  This way we will know what is heading our way as Microsoft is not very forthcoming.  

http://winsupersite.com/windows-10/windows-10-redstone-2-build-tracker-pcs#slide-0-field_images-77191

If anyone here is on the Fast Track, I would love to hear your thoughts. 

 

Reply #40 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Windows ten is not working right.

Reply #41 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Cameochi, reply 39

The latest with Windows 10. Here is an upcoming build 14951 (Redstone 2) which has been released to the Fast Track insiders. I am on the Slow Track so haven't had to deal with it yet, thank goodness. This build may not install correctly (or fail) on computer using third party antivirus software. That would be me. Hopefully, temporarily disabling Kaspersky will be enough to allow it to install.
End of Cameochi's quote

Users should not have to disable 3rd-party AV programs.... or anything else 3rd-party to get a major update.  That's just wrong and MS needs to fix it before it alienates even more users.

Quoting admiralWillyWilber, reply 40

Windows ten is not working right.
End of admiralWillyWilber's quote

No, not out of the box it doesn't.  However, one can get 10 working reasonably well when using 3rd-party programs to adjust it to suit one's personal preferences and needs.  I use Win 10 pretty much the same way as I did Win 7, now that I've gotten rid of/disabled all the app crap and tiles bloatware.

Reply #42 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

How and what would you recommend going about this.

Reply #43 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting admiralWillyWilber, reply 42

How and what would you recommend going about this.
End of admiralWillyWilber's quote

Check out majorgeeks.com >left-hand side menu > System Tools > Windows 10.  That's where I went to find what I needed.

Reply #44 from WinCustomize Forums Top

 Good Morning everyone,

Here is the latest from the Windows Insider Program.  I am not sure if the links will work but at least this will give you an idea of where they are headed.  I already see some things I plan to live without.  :-) Tomorrow, Wednesday, Oct 26th at 10:00 am, there is a big meeting in NYC.  It will be broadcast live on Ars Technica and some other sites if anyone is interested.  Pardon the messy table.

 
 

The latest news from the Windows Insider Program.
 
   
 
 

Hello Windows Insider,
 

As usual, we’d like to kick off this newsletter with highlights from our latest Windows 10 Insider Preview Build for PC and Mobile. This build provides another wave of exciting new Windows preview features — available only to Windows Insiders.
 

As an Insider, you also have the opportunity to try new Microsoft Edge extensions before the general public. For example, these extensions were first made available to Insiders: Turn Off the Lights, Tampermonkey and Microsoft Personal Shopping Assistant. Extensions are a quick and easy way to customize your browsing experience. You can get other free extensions for Microsoft Edge here like AdBlock and Microsoft Translator. Let us know what you think via the Feedback Hub or contact @MSEdgeDev on Twitter.*
 

If you haven’t yet seen what the Anniversary Update for Windows 10 Mobile brought to us, check out some of these highlights, including Panorama mode in the Camera app — a new way to see notifications on the lock screen — and cool updates to Cortana**, the Windows Store and more.
 

Here are a few other items that might interest you:
 
  • See what’s next for Windows 10. Join us online for a special Microsoft event planned in New York this week. We’re keeping details confidential for now, but you’re invited to watch the livestream at 10 am EDT on October 26, 2016.
  • Windows Insider T-shirts now available. A few months ago, we ran a global competition inviting Insiders to come up with a new design for the next Windows Insider T-shirt. Congratulations to our winner, E. Bautista from the United States, and to all of our finalists — and thanks to everyone who participated. The T-shirt is available for sale on the eCompanyStore.

 
 

Info for Developers
 
  • The Windows Desktop Bridge is now live. The Desktop Bridge enables you to bring your existing apps and games to the Universal Windows Platform.
  • The Desktop App Converter is now available. The converter turns standard Windows desktop applications into Windows 10 apps, allowing you to add UWP features such as Live Tiles, notifications and app services. Download it from the Windows Store.***
  • One Dev Minute videos. These short videos give Windows developers a quick look at how to use different Windows technologies to build great Windows apps. The videos cover a variety of topics — from implementing In-App purchases, to using Ink, Voice and Face Recognition, or to integrating with Cortana. Got an idea for another topic that you’d like us to cover in the future? Vote for your favorite topics here.

 
 

Info for IT Pros
 
  • Microsoft Ignite 2016 sessions on demand Watch over 800 hours of idea-provoking content including Microsoft Ignite keynotes, overviews, deep dives, and more.
  • Windows 10 Management and Deployment Lab Kit. Recently updated with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, this lab kit features a pre-configured virtual lab with the latest version of Windows 10, SCCM, MDT and more. Also included are over 600 pages of illustrated lab guides covering key management features and scenarios.
  • Microsoft Tech Summit. Get free, in-depth technical training on Windows 10 productivity, security, and deployment. There’s still time to register for sessions in cities around the world. Get more details and register here.

 
 

You can follow the lead for the Windows Insiders Program, Dona Sarkar, on Twitter @donasarkar. For other updates on the program, including special events and activities, follow us on Twitter @windowsinsider.
 

Thanks!
 

The Windows Insider Team
 
 

* Microsoft Edge extensions are available in selected markets; experience may vary by region and device.
 

** Cortana available in selected markets; experience may vary by region and device.
 

*** Language supported is English (United States).
 

This email is part of your Windows Insider Program membership.
 

Microsoft respects your privacy. To learn more, please read our online Privacy Statement.
 

If you wish to stop receiving Windows Insider Program emails, you will need to leave the program.
 

This email is sent from an unmonitored address. Please do not reply. Please use links inline above to get additional information or help.
 

Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052 USA

  

 
 
 
 
 

Hello Windows Insider,
 

As usual, we’d like to kick off this newsletter with highlights from our latest Windows 10 Insider Preview Build for PC and Mobile. This build provides another wave of exciting new Windows preview features — available only to Windows Insiders.
 

As an Insider, you also have the opportunity to try new Microsoft Edge extensions before the general public. For example, these extensions were first made available to Insiders: Turn Off the Lights, Tampermonkey and Microsoft Personal Shopping Assistant. Extensions are a quick and easy way to customize your browsing experience. You can get other free extensions for Microsoft Edge here like AdBlock and Microsoft Translator. Let us know what you think via the Feedback Hub or contact @MSEdgeDev on Twitter.*
 

If you haven’t yet seen what the Anniversary Update for Windows 10 Mobile brought to us, check out some of these highlights, including Panorama mode in the Camera app — a new way to see notifications on the lock screen — and cool updates to Cortana**, the Windows Store and more.
 

Here are a few other items that might interest you:
 
  • See what’s next for Windows 10. Join us online for a special Microsoft event planned in New York this week. We’re keeping details confidential for now, but you’re invited to watch the livestream at 10 am EDT on October 26, 2016.
  • Windows Insider T-shirts now available. A few months ago, we ran a global competition inviting Insiders to come up with a new design for the next Windows Insider T-shirt. Congratulations to our winner, E. Bautista from the United States, and to all of our finalists — and thanks to everyone who participated. The T-shirt is available for sale on the eCompanyStore.

 
 

Info for Developers
 
  • The Windows Desktop Bridge is now live. The Desktop Bridge enables you to bring your existing apps and games to the Universal Windows Platform.
  • The Desktop App Converter is now available. The converter turns standard Windows desktop applications into Windows 10 apps, allowing you to add UWP features such as Live Tiles, notifications and app services. Download it from the Windows Store.***
  • One Dev Minute videos. These short videos give Windows developers a quick look at how to use different Windows technologies to build great Windows apps. The videos cover a variety of topics — from implementing In-App purchases, to using Ink, Voice and Face Recognition, or to integrating with Cortana. Got an idea for another topic that you’d like us to cover in the future? Vote for your favorite topics here.

 
 

Info for IT Pros
 
  • Microsoft Ignite 2016 sessions on demand Watch over 800 hours of idea-provoking content including Microsoft Ignite keynotes, overviews, deep dives, and more.
  • Windows 10 Management and Deployment Lab Kit. Recently updated with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, this lab kit features a pre-configured virtual lab with the latest version of Windows 10, SCCM, MDT and more. Also included are over 600 pages of illustrated lab guides covering key management features and scenarios.
  • Microsoft Tech Summit. Get free, in-depth technical training on Windows 10 productivity, security, and deployment. There’s still time to register for sessions in cities around the world. Get more details and register here.

 
 

You can follow the lead for the Windows Insiders Program, Dona Sarkar, on Twitter @donasarkar. For other updates on the program, including special events and activities, follow us on Twitter @windowsinsider.
 

Thanks!
 

The Windows Insider Team
 
 

* Microsoft Edge extensions are available in selected markets; experience may vary by region and device.
 

** Cortana available in selected markets; experience may vary by region and device.
 

*** Language supported is English (United States).
 

This email is part of your Windows Insider Program membership.
 

Microsoft respects your privacy. To learn more, please read our online Privacy Statement.
 

If you wish to stop receiving Windows Insider Program emails, you will need to leave the program.
 

This email is sent from an unmonitored address. Please do not reply. Please use links inline above to get additional information or help.
 

Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052 USA

  

 

Reply #45 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Ho hum....

*no offense*

Reply #46 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Unless there is something that benefits me on the desktop -in other words, not app related - I'm not interested.

All this latest and greatest mod-con gear might be great and useful for some, but simply, I have no need of apps, personal assistants or tiled interfaces.  I just want a plain and simple OS without the bells and whistles that bloat Windows editions of today.  If I want extras I'll look toward 3rd-party software for those items.

As with Windows 8/8.1 (once the novelty of apps had worn off) I use Win 10 solely as a desktop system, having uninstalled or disabled the apps and other less desirable features.  Sadly, however, my efforts to make Win 10 my own may be short lived. 

I believe, along with many others, that Window 10 will become MS's version of a walled Garden, a closed system that will largely be driven by apps and controlled by Microsoft from top to bottom.  That is not the kind of Windows I want any part of, and then there's the rumoured subscription model which, if Microsoft follows the lead of many of its major partners, as it did with Office 368, Windows subscriptions will more likely be a reality than not.

Nah, that's not my idea of an OS, not by a long shot.  

 

 

Reply #47 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Well, then don't whine if crap happens.  AND crap happened here from the last update.  The crap was so serious that my PC could not be restored.  It will need to be completely reformatted and put back to Windows 7 as the drivers are too old. They keep messing with video drivers and the update made the display a lovely prison motif with horizontal black and white lines.  It is almost five years old so not putting any money into it at this point. It was a great computer until Windows 10 came out.  Since my grandson is becoming Microsoft certified (15 years old), I am going to give it to him.  He will have fun with it and restore it back to Windows 7. 

Starkers, I have very serious concerns about what I am seeing with Windows 10 which was my reason for the post. I am now running a new Dell XPS 8910 which is very nice although I will upgrade the video card in a bit. It comes with an NVidia GTX 750ti which isn't horrible but I would like something a bit better.  A 1070 would work well.  :-)

For the moment, I am stuck with Windows 10 Home which is horrible as they up and download Microsoft updates while one is installing other software - after I checked and it said the system was up to date.  It caused this brand new PC to crash so I had to reset it and reinstall everything.  That was four hours after I got it home.  I keep telling them and jumping up and down about some issues but apparently, they are using Microsoft hearing aids because they clearly do not hear me.  I will be upgrading to Windows 10 Pro again asap. 

IF Windows goes subscription, I will go to Linux.  I have now spent more time on Windows 10 than I did in the whole time I had Windows ME which was awful but Windows 10 has been a trip.  Part of it was due to the fact that Dell did not update the drivers but when Windows 10 came out, there was nothing on their web site about it and I checked to make sure my drivers were up to date.  Besides, they "upgraded" me automatically so not much choice.  The first thing I installed on this new system was Start 10.  I cannot stand the regular Windows start menu.  It's ugly and looks a bit schizophrenic to me.  I like neatness and order.  :-)  Anyway, my new PC is up and running with only a couple tweaks left to do and Windows 10 keeps going on and on and on.  I would much rather have paid for complete OS than the mess they've created and I am seeing more and more ads, etc.  I sure hope they don't make it ad supported because would be the end for me.   

Reply #48 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Anyone who volunteered into the "Insider Program" [read "Suckers-R-Us Guinea-pigs"]  deserves all the grief they get.

The general Win 10 user is enough of a Beta tester where bugs are stomped in the wild without anyone really having to be that masochistic enough to want to go all 'pre-alpha' and die horrible deaths at random....;p

OK, so one of the systems of mine hosed by Win 10 was probably an early release but the other was a fair-dinkum Joe-Public one.

End Users should not be put in a position where they need to reset the BIOS AND reinstall from scratch just because MS is now run by idiots.

Reply #49 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Put bluntly, Windows 10 has been a disaster from the start for waaay too many users.... whether they're 'Insiders' or not, with 'forced' Updates being the major source of problems for most.  I've lost count of the people who have said that Windows Update has broken this or that driver and/or piece of hardware.... even the entire PC. 

After the last update I find yet again that MS has borked my HP keyboard and Logitech mouse with driver updates for a MS keyboard and mouse, neither of which are connected and never have been.  I managed to get the mouse working again but the keyboard is stuffed and I'm having to use the onboard touch one to type everything 'til I dig out a replacement.  Nothing I've tried will get it working again, including uninstalling the updates. 

Thing is, I have regular updates disabled so I can select the ones in need/want, and I disconnect the internet to prevent Scheduled Maintenance downloading updates at 3.00am, yet MS still finds a way to deliver them.  I'm told that preventing Scheduled Maintenance does not work because they commence at the next reboot and net connection.  In other words, then, there is no escaping dodgy updates.  Hopefully a 3rd party is working on closing that backdoor and a solution is not far away.

Seriously, though, people complained when Steve Ballmer was at the helm, but there's a worse lunatic running the asylum now.... and Windows 10 is the devil's spawn.  I may be more tolerant of Win 10 since tweaking it more to my liking, but it is still a far cry from what I really want and need, given the 'updates' debacle and MS' insistence to deliver a 'one-size-fits-all', whether it is needed or not.  The fact that I keep getting drivers and firmware for hardware I don't even have is proof MS has no idea what it is doing.

In a nutshell, a better tolerance [after 3rd party adjustments] does not mean I'm entirely happy with Win 10.  Quite the opposite, in fact!  Without the 3rd party adjustments it'd be the same pig it was at the start.

Reply #50 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting starkers, reply 41

This build may not install correctly (or fail) on computer using third party antivirus software.
End of starkers's quote

 

sometimes it's the security companies dragging their feet. eg.. firefox 64 bit...  "software isn't released yet... we don't provide support for it" "at least tell me you are actually working to make sure it's going to be compatible before it's released? it's not like they were not in open beta and had provided a roadmap as to when the stable version will be released"

 

===

your kb/mouse thing sounds weird.. my kb and mouse are both from logitech. i have setpoint installed (for the kb) and options for the mouse.. have never had ms screwing up my kb/mouse drivers.

 

i'm not even sure when it last updated drivers all by itself ..