Update to Windows 11 ????

[old man emu]

I don't know what to do. 

 

I am bombarded with competing opinions regarding the switch to Windows 11. One side says that if I don't switch, one day I won't be able to access the Internet. The other side says that for the way I use the Internet and the few programs I use in MS-Office, she'll be right.

 

So, do I upgrade to Windows 11, or just keep using Windows 10?

[facthunter]

I'm NO expert but see if your computer is compatible. If you don't change lots of Programmes won't be supported. Get more advice.  Nev

[old man emu]

The computer will take Win 11. 

 

The advice I'm seeking is 'should I do it or not?'.

[onetrack]

Yes, you have little option to avoid constant changes and updates in technology. I hated leaving Windows 7, it was the best system ever, as far as I was concerned - but it became untenable to keep using it, so many sites and programmes started telling me I needed to upgrade to keep using their sites and programmes. The biggest issue is increasing security needs. Windows 11 has massively increased security over previous versions.

 

I personally don't think Windows 11 is as user-friendly as Windows 7, a lot of common menu items are now hidden under sub-menus, which is bloody annoying. MS continues to harrass you to buy all their "necessary" products, most of which are not necessary to me at all. I've been on Windows 11 since last year and I'm gradually getting used to it. Windows 7 is utterly obsolete now, and support for Windows 10 from MS will cease shortly. Windows 12 is not far off.

 

The scale of ongoing development and modification of electronic devices and programmes is staggering, it never stops. It means all electronic stuff over about 5 yrs old is obsolete.

 

One of the things that caught me out when I rebuilt my desktop computer last year, is that you can't simply go from Windows 7 to Windows 11, you have to upgrade to Windows 10 first. I couldn't get Windows 11 to load, it was frustrating in the extreme. I ended up going to a computer expert who sorted the problem by loading Windows 10. It cost me $120 to find that out.

 

Edited May 19 by onetrack

[nomadpete]

I am no expert on computers, but my personal opinion is;

 

Each new version of operating system is intended to be more secure from hackers and malicious outsiders.

 

A. Before considering the upgrade, verify whether your computer will run Win11 satisfactorily. Microsoft doesn't guarantee this before it orders you to upgrade.

 

B. Alternatively:- If you don't use your computer for critical stuff such as banking, you are not at much risk from hackers. After all, if uou only use it for emails and casual websearches, the worst they can steal from your computer, is your contact list (& their details). Or they can block your access to your hard disk and blackmail you for a password to release it back to you.

 

Ideally, you should always run the latest version of software, on the latest computer, and keep it updated.

[facthunter]

The way I see it you will be "Up the Creek" If you don't. Logically there must be a time where the older "base" hinders  performance and  is essentially obsolete. I had to get a new  computer but apparently you don't.  Confirm that and GO is my advice. ( for what that's worth). Your time is important.  Nev

[rgmwa]

Our company of about 650 people across Australia will be moving to Win 11 over the next few months as MS support for Win 10 ends. I work from home so I’ll do the same for my computers when my work computer.gets upgraded.

[spacesailor]

or

Dump MS 

They seem to make too many mistake with their new renderings .

Then we get " patches " to fix their faults .

 

I keep trying to get used to " Lynux " mint . As I couldn't fathom " Linux Ubuntu " .

But will persevere. 

 

spacesailor

[red750]

I'm using Windows 11 Home on both my laptops. My older one, with lots of stuff on it has problems with the keyboard and a couple of the ports don't wok, so I have a plugin keyboard and a USB hub to drive the accessories. One day I'll get around to having it repaired. I have had no problem running software I have had from Win 10, and even some from Win7. I bought the second laptop as an Aldi special for less than $200 to have a poprtable machine that didn't need a hud and a lot of other gear. Both have antivirus and VPN for internet privacy.  

 

I mentioned a week or so ago about the voice typing optioin. A couple more shortcuts have come up on FB. You can bring up a menu of emojis, GIFs and symbols using the Windows key and semicolon. Symbols such as £  €  °(for angles)  ℃  ℉  and many more, without having to remember the Alt codes. And you can select GIFs such as:

 

 

     and so on.

 

If you are using Xcel,  Ctrl and semicolon will put the date in the selected cell, and Ctrl,Shift and semicolon will insert the time. Unfortunately this does not appear to work with Word or other text boxes.

 

 

[red750]

One of the problems with Windows 11, and to some extent Windows 10, is the way you are conned into  using Onedrive, or the cloud, for saving your files. It is fully explained in this article, along with instructions to disconnect and disable Onedrive.

 

https://aardwolfsecurity.com/how-to-disable-onedrive-in-windows/

 

 

https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/windows10debloater_103z.html

 

 

 

 

[old man emu]

No problem if you don't use them. But is that showing my Luddite side?

[red750]

If you are using Windows, Onedrive is activated automatically by default. It's opt out, not opt in. They won't ask if you wamt it. Read the articles to see how you are being duped.

[spacesailor]

That's when it asks for " internet connection " ,

Denied 

The daughter thinks I'm  paranoid .

spacesailor

[onetrack]

Onedrive is only activated by logging into your MS account. I don't log into my MS account very often (about once every 3 years) and log out as soon as I've finished. Plus, I use Chrome as my browser and I'm logged into Google, which company doesn't insist on cloud storage for files. My files and photos are on my hard drive.

MS can go f*** themselves, they're devious in the extreme, and I refuse to go with all their "enticements", which usually mean more information and more money going to MS, as soon as you follow their suggestions.

[Jerry_Atrick]

Just make sure you back up those precious memories

[spacesailor]

Microsoft started in a very devious way .

They couldn't run windows , so bought (very cheaply ) a program from a couple of students. 

D,O,S . Disk operating System . Worth $ trillions .

spacesailor

[Jerry_Atrick]

On my list of things to do next weekend on my laptop which is about 5 or 6 years old but plenty powerful enough is to put on a virtual machine (have to do the research for the best one), set it up so it thinks it meets all Windows 11 requiements, install windows 11 on it, install the Citrix workstation and see if I can reliably connect to work with it. If so, I am installing Linux (probably Mint) natively on my main desktop which is plenty powerful and installing Win 11 as Citrix will test it has the latest updates before connecting, and then use it only for work. I already know I can run my office suite using wine on Linux.

Edited May 26 by Jerry_Atrick

[nomadpete]

Nice. I find myself alienated every time Microsoft bring out a new OS. Their latest offering seems to leave nothing on my laptop, so if our broadband fails (not often, but it does) I cannot access any of my files, pictures, emails. And I am so old fashioned that I prefer to keep my files local. Yes I do back up to a spare HDD. I just don't trust the cloud.

[Marty_d]

1 hour ago, Jerry_Atrick said:

 I already know I can run my office suite using wine on Linux.

Wolfie at work?

[Jerry_Atrick]

For those that are confused by my post, the more I look into Win 11, the more it is about bloatware and controlling/monitoring the user experience. Personally, I have had enough of Windows and will be transforming my main desktop, which is running Windows 10, to a Linux desktop - most likely the mint distirbutiuon: https://linuxmint.com/

 

Linux does everything that Windows does, but better, and more. There are some issues with device drivers and, although I am not into gaming, some gaming platforms, but that is because those he driver companies and games platform companies don't yet properly support Linux and so the linux community try their own ports to Linux where they can. This is becoming less and less a problem.

 

Although I can install Libreoffice for all of my word, powerpoint, excell, and access needs, I prefer the MS Office Suite (as well out Outlook over Thunderbird. I have a CD version (2019, I think, but ut could be later), so it needs Windows natively to run. No problems. Will install wine (https://www.winehq.org/), and then install MS Office from the disk. Hey presto. 

 

There is a product called Citrix. It is a run time environment that allows applications to be easily deployed in Windows environments and then allows highly secure remote access. This pwoers a lot of the companies environments and is most ubiquitous for working from home. We use it. You can install what is called a Citrix Workspace on your own Windows, Linux, or Mac computer and safely access yur work Citrix desktop environment, and it will ensure nothing crosses between it and your personal device.  However, for some reason, our company has nobbled Citrix so only the Citrix workspace will work on Windows and Mac machines - not Linux - despite Linux being the safest of all environments.

 

Because instead of having my personal computer running Wndows 11, which I don't want, I will then install a virtual machine, possibly virtualbox https://www.virtualbox.org/. 

So far, everything is totally free and very functional. I may have to buy an OEM version of Winn 11, as it won't detect a previous Win O/S. At work, we have been told we have to upgrade to Win 11 in orders for Citrix Workspace to allow connections to the work environment. So, I will create a virtual machine (likely on Virtualbox), install Win 11 on it, install the Citrix workspace software and that will be it. When I am working, I will use that to connect to my work machine, but when not in use, it can be switched off and I will be using Linux natively from there on in.. Assumning Citrix works with Win 11 on a Virtualbox.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[rgmwa]

Thanks for the explanation but I still feel I’m barely hanging onto my overturned rubber raft as it’s left spinning in the wake of your IT speedboat as you disappear into the distance. 

[Jerry_Atrick]

 

(just kidding, of course!)

 

Basically Windows 11 is bloatware and spies on you, Yep you can switch off spy mode, just like today you can switch off one drive, but somehow one drive every so often switches itself on.

 

Linux doesn't have bloatware, and doesn't spy on you.. And, it is far more efficient and stable, to boot. So I am going to switch to Linux - and Mint is the particular flabour - for my main desktop which currently runs Windows 10.

 

I use my main desktop to work from home. And to work from home, I to have to connect using Windows. So, to do this from Linux, I am going to install a virtual machine, which is a piece of software that emulates a computer such as a desktop or a lap top. In that virtual machine, I will install Windows 11 so it runs in the emulator environment only and not the whole computer. I should then be able to use that emulator to work from home, while my desktop runs Linux free of bloat and spyware.

 

 

Edited May 26 by Jerry_Atrick

[rgmwa]

Thanks! You’ve reached my level!