windows 7 or 10 ?

[MoxieMomma]

Hi:

AFAIK, availability of NEW OEM Win7 computers (even for Enterprise) ended in October.
Anything you find now will likely be "refurbished" or "used".
"CAVEAT EMPTOR" in that regard...

MM

Actually, not true in the real world anyway. But it may vary by vendor.

You can buy new Lenovo Thinkpad P50/P70 right now today with Win7 Pro pre-installed through Win10 Pro downgrade rights. You can also then get the Win10 recovery install media, if you want to "do it yourself" and add a second bootable Windows after-the-fact.

These are brand new Skylake laptops with Intel i7-6700HQ, i7-6820HQ, Xeon E3-1505M or Xeon E3-1575M processors, and up to 64GB of non-ECC or ECC (with Xeon CPU) DDR4 PC4-2133Mhz or PC4-2400Mhz memory. 1xSATA3 2.5"HDD/SSD and/or 2xM.2 SATA3 SSD or 2xM.2 NVMe SSD.

All hardware in the machine is 100% supported with Win7/Win10 drivers provided and pre-installed by Lenovo.

These are not "used/refurbs".

I'm sure there may still be a few floating around, but:

OEMs to stop selling PCs with Windows 7 by October 31, 2016 | Ars Technica
Microsoft ends Windows 7 Pro reprieve on new PCs | Computerworld
Microsoft gives OEMs a deadline: No more new Windows 7 PCs in one year | ZDNet

Cheers,
MM

 

[ICIT2LOL]

I was thinking; If MS gets rid of CP, where are they going to "stuff" everything that's in there now? Imagine the paths getting to the view tab in folder options.... The tutorials will be glorious!

Hmm I am thinking what a job that would be for Shawn if that was to be broken down into the different bits and pieces - cannot see any reason for even thinking about that and smacks of them trying to hide as much stuff as they can. I know in 10 I do find it a tad annoying that I have to attach it and This PC to my start menu along with pics and docs command prompt etc etc

As for McAfee I don't really care who owns it it is something I would never have on my machine - smacks of Intel becoming rather overly arrogant in a way.

I shall have to check out that Lubuntu Megahertz mentions too as I said I have tried Linux and Ubuntu but the interface spoils both a bit.

Now as for 7 ending as MM says well they had better get the driver situation fixed and real quick because on my Asus G750JM I can only access drivers for the BIOS Utilities and the manual whereas when I was running 7 Pro on it there was plethora of drivers.

All in all the 10 debate seems to me to have got a little better insomuch 10 has improved a bit and then along comes all this new stuff re the CP etc Being a tad cynical I am left wondering what Microsoft actually wants to sell

 

[AddRAM]

Have you looked at Zorin yet John ?

I may have asked you before

Download - Zorin OS

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
It fairly easy MS wants to sell users usage data

 

[Anak]

I've also noticed the change in how "placements" are handled, I'm planning on removing McAfee and replacing it with Avira by the end of the day.

Transitions; Too many times have I seen a project fail because the support structure wasn't in place, the scarcity of drivers should have never been a problem in the first place, certain businesses always seem to put the cart before the horse.

Have you looked at Zorin yet John ?

I may have asked you before

Download - Zorin OS

Here's a tutorial by whs: VMware Player - Install and Setup Zorin

 

[AddRAM]

Simpler just to try it first before setting up a VM, no harm no foul

 

[DavidE]

I'm planning on removing McAfee and replacing it with Avira by the end of the day.

If you're going with Avira free, be aware they have 2 versions.
The Avira Free Antivirus, and the Avira Free Security Suite.
The Avira Free Security Suite auto installs 2 additional programs.
I recently tried the Security Suite and didn't like it, i went back to the basic free version.
I couldn't figure out how to keep the System Speedup program from auto running.
I just want a basic AV, no add-ons.

You can read more about it here, and get the download you prefer.
Free Downloads of Avira Antivirus Software & Utilities

 

[Anak]

Okay AR, I didn't know about that option.

Thanks for the info Dave, I believe I'm going with the basic free.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Okay AR, I didn't know about that option.

Thanks for the info Dave, I believe I'm going with the basic free.

Yes Steve there are few options in here the real time section Free Windows Desktop Software Security List | Gizmo's Freeware forgetting the AVG McAfee and Comodo (terrible nagger)

Brian might take a look at the Zorin the Lubuntu took a very long time to download for something that was less than a GB.

What I am going to do is to install both onto a spare drive - one at a time just to see what the go is

 

[AddRAM]

You will like Zorin over Lubuntu, Ubuntu etc, it has a bit more of a Windows feel to it.

9 is an older version but here`s an article.

10 reasons to try Zorin OS 9, the Linux OS that looks like Windows | PCWorld

Zorin OS : An Ultimate Linux Desktop Designed for Windows XP and 7 Users

Download - Zorin OS

Core is Free, Ultimate is not.

But it looks like Ultimate is 19 Euro, not bad at all

 

[GEWB]

Linux Mint 18 - Cinnamon version is my go-to OS but Zorin is also a good distro.

Regards,
GEWB

 

[Pyprohly]

I read MS is going to remove the control panel entirely eventually and force people to use the long ways to get to stuff.

It would be an interesting move given how much we know MS loves to amalgamate their technologies deep into their OS. The biggest worry I have with them is the rate at which they clean out the redundant artefacts (Internet Explorer still exists as an un-uninstall-able component of Windows 10), and also their thus far ambivalent vision of what an OS should look like… who’s gotten used to those tablet-style apps? Glad they returned the privilege of allowing us to resize them to our will again in Windows 10. It’s these kinds of habits MS will need to improve on if Windows is to progress as a modern operating system, and not make any more impulsive, uncoordinated design decisions as some of the team are used to.

So. I do think they have put in the effort now though. They’ve since resolved and are still sorting out these kinds of user experience problems—it isn’t easy, we should realise—but they definitely are, and they’re making the changes fast. Of course many will be unimpressed by change, but changes like this is preparation for good growth, and is why I think removing the Control Panel isn’t such a bad idea as long as MS promise to settle on a clean, consistent, and standardised way of getting things done. “There should be one-- and preferably only one --obvious way to do it”.

Dark days are certainly not ahead. They’re heading in the right direction.

Trouble is there is no viable alternative - have tried Linux and Ubuntu

Windows is irreplaceable. It strikes me that you’d feel you’d be better off with some alternate OS. Personally, I am quite comfortably parked in a macOS environment, I’d favour it over any other OS any day, but still can’t see how this whole discussion of transitioning to an alternative to Windows is even feasible, because let’s face it, we live in a Windows world. This is the OS that will always be ahead in the latest software developments, this is the OS that is built for productivity on the level of industry standards, this is the OS that has always been so versatile, and this is how an irreplaceable operating system really transcends.


I must sound like an MS employee right about now, but things aren’t so bad. :huh:

 

[GEWB]

I must sound like an MS employee right about now, but things aren’t so bad. :huh:

It's actually much worse but most can't see it. Keep drinking the Kool-Aid.

Regards,
GEWB

 

[ICIT2LOL]

You will like Zorin over Lubuntu, Ubuntu etc, it has a bit more of a Windows feel to it.

9 is an older version but here`s an article.

10 reasons to try Zorin OS 9, the Linux OS that looks like Windows | PCWorld

Zorin OS : An Ultimate Linux Desktop Designed for Windows XP and 7 Users

Download - Zorin OS

Core is Free, Ultimate is not.

But it looks like Ultimate is 19 Euro, not bad at all

Ok Brian will give that a whirl just waiting on delivery of the new SSD and well that price is not very much at all eh?

 

[lehnerus2000]

Context Menu

Trouble is there is no viable alternative - have tried Linux and Ubuntu and well I found the use of a command prompt way of navigating some parts of the the system really quite irritating let alone time consuming.

In Linux Mint, you can use the Context Menu (in the file browser) to open a location in the Terminal (similar to W7).

Here is a screenshot from a LM17.3 VM:

​

 

[cmmtch]

Wuz wonderin' where to post this....

Finally took the plunge and picked up my xmas present, 15.6 lenovo ideapad110 with 10home, I guess the price will go back to 599 after Saturday.
So far I'm liking this ideapad, runs cool, 5hr battery, an hour and a half back to full charge from 20% and that's while I'm using it, snappy, and, it seems, a lot easier on my eyes compared to the desktop.

10 sure is a learning curve, everything seems to be there but they sure moved things around, one thing I have trouble with, is Edge, and no easy way to set the home page, no drag an'drop, or organizing favorites, doesn't open to new tab; after I find all the settings they'll do an update, right?

And, why? Does everything have to be so flat?

From tenforums Microsoft Edge Startup Page - Change in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Tutorials[1]=Networking Internet

To me Edge still isn't ready for prime time, it does seem a little faster than IE, but it's still missing too much that other browsers have as their standard. Anyway here's a tut from Brink from tenforums for Edge.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Windows is irreplaceable. It strikes me that you’d feel you’d be better off with some alternate OS.

Well have been with Windows since I got the first computer way back and while I tend to agree with you that it is irreplaceable the problem to me is that they are making it too unworkable insomuch as they just cannot get away for the wretched app format that many seem to love Windows 7 is for me the ultimate Windows and 10 well I have mine set up to look like 7 again insomuch that I have the usual 7 type start menu with the CP Computer (This PC) msconfig though they have messed that up a bit command prompt etc etc the only thing I cannot seem to fix to the Start menu is the regedit. see mu pic of my Sandy Bridge screen.

I use Chrome over anything else as Edge is just too much as is that awful Bing rubbish.

I am awaiting my new SSD to try out Zorin and the only thing that Windows has over the Linux line up is that one has to use that command line sudo stuff at times to install stuff for example.

Now it also seems to me that most folks are so worried about speed in a browser or other functions for that matter and I cannot myself find any fault with the way that Chrome goes from tab to tab in the blink of an eye and downloading stuff just as quick - so how quick is quick. Next some will be wanting the machine to thought read us and change without us even touching a keyboard

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Update on the Zorin I have the new drive and I have been trying for the last five hours to get it downloaded made into a bootable disk / stick and make a dual boot with the 7 on my old trusty Toshiba but am being blocked at every turn.

I cannot even download the Zorin on the Toshy or else I would try something there.

Seems to me that the Zorin is not going to download to a legacy BIOS machine or even have anything to do with it so am giving it away until I can find an answer. I have the ISO but as I said making a bootable disk or just putting at straight onto the separate partition is proving to be more trouble than it is worth.

 

[AddRAM]

Don`t you have a flash drive to put it on ?

Use Rufus to put the iso on a stick.

Boot from the stick.

Then when you get to the Try Zorin or Install Zorin window....

Just choose try Zorin. We`ll Install later, let`s just get Zorin running on this PC.

Post back your results.

If you have a stick you should be booted into Zorin in less then 5 minutes.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Ok mate I will have a go with that because everything else is just not working. What I don't understand is that I have the ISO on a DVD and did have it on a stick but the Toshy could or would not do anything with it - just no boot at all with either.

As for the ImgBurn make a bootable source well it was a dismal failure and I did try the UUI method too (it took forever) and in the pic is what I ended up with.