Shut up and upgrade already, you luddites

"Nibbles" (nibbles) 06/07/2016 at 15:48 • Filed to: Windows 10

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This is Windows 10. The airy background signifies how light and friendly it is

I’ve dealt with this since Windows 95 and get earfuls from my friends / contemporaries: “I’m not getting the new Windows [version]! My {SELECT TOP 1 descriptor FROM [dbo].[peopleiknow] ORDER BY NEWID()} got the upgrade and it totally x’d their y !” They say. “Oh, it’s chock full of malware and warez and keyloggers and blah blah blah et cetera” they ramble on, attempting to cite any number of the hype-positive, clickbait sites they come across during their Lycos searches. Yet they keep me on speed dial because when their outdated, patch-negligent OS takes a dump, well it’s me they call. 95% of the time I respond with “welp, you wouldn’t have this problem if you updated.”

Windows 10 Stronk

Windows 10 on some rather old hardware

Windows 10 is, contrary to “public” belief, a rather solid OS. Its error handling and recovery is much better than previous versions; it can sandbox faults and recover in-line many of the “bluescreen” causing errors of its predecessors. The built-in driver repository (and possibly-too-robust online repository) handles seamless installation of nearly any peripheral. It can run on nearly any machine from the latest rigs, to your grandma’s old Gateway 2000, to an !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . It’s lightweight too. How lightweight? About 35% lighter than a Windows 7 installation if installed over 7 as an upgrade and nearing 50% if installed fresh. Boot time? My own tests showed an increase from 41 seconds on Windows 7 to 28 seconds on 10 (Samsung N700, Core i5, 8GB RAM, 1tb 5400RPM HDD). My Lenovo Yoga 900, which came with 10 factory installed on a 256GB SSD, is at the login screen eight seconds after I hit the power button.

It’s Scalable

This man is using his phone as a computer and showing you the screen that shows you what is on the phone’s screen as well

I know many of you have touchscreen-enabled laptops. You may have a Surface running Windows 8.1, or an HP convertible running 7 (or XP, you geezer). Windows 10 is built for touchscreens - previous versions had touchscreen functionality tacked on top. This matters. It matters a GREAT DEAL. Windows 10 switches on the fly from desktop to tablet mode and does it with ease. You can run tablet apps in desktop mode and vice versa, without any reprocessing. Windows 10 for Phones, introduced in the Lumia 950 and 950 XL, is quite literally full-blown Windows 10 running on your phone. You can plug your phone into a Continuum dock (a KVM/port replicator) and use your phone as a computer. No, it won’t play Crysis, but it’ll run Webex, Office apps, and other miscellany.

It’s Safe

Who wouldn’t feel safe with Ninja Cat by their side?

Fun fact: 88% of viruses and other safety issues are related to your Java installation, not your OS. In that vein, Microsoft has introduced a number of countermeasures to ensure the safety of your system. Microsoft Defender and SmartScreen work in the background to make sure that you don’t accidentally install anything malicious. BitLocker can provide you with Enterprise-level encryption. Biometrics through Windows Hello allows you to secure your system with fingerprints, facial recognition or iris scanning (hardware dependent). Windows 10 has built upon the sandbox that was introduced in Windows 8 and expanded on in Windows Mobile (an OS deemed “ !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ”). Java is disabled by default and unsupported by Microsoft’s new browser, Edge.

The Start Menu is Awesome

Look, a Start Menu that isn’t a goddamn screen waster!

“The Start Menu is dead” hailed Windows 8, and consumers cried out. “The Start Menu is back (sorta)“ said Windows 8.1, and consumers laughed. With Windows 10, the Start Menu is actually back and better than ever. All your applications are easily found in the Start Menu’s application pane. There’s a section for the all-important Live Tiles as well, which has brought on some confusion and unwarranted negativity. Yes, the live tiles are there in your Start Menu. You can change them, move them anywhere you want, even - GASP! - remove them and have a standard Start Menu, just like Windows 7, but better!

!!! UNKNOWN HEADER TYPE (MULTI-LINE BREAK?) !!!

Previous versions of Windows have allowed the everyday user to choose how they want to receive updates. This led to a vast majority of OS installations being grossly under-patched and has been generally regarded as a bad move. With Windows 10 Microsoft has rectified this issue. If you have Windows 10 Home, your updates are installed for you. This is seen, by the everyday user, an infringement however that couldn’t be further from the case. Windows 10's automatic updates keep your system patched and ready to tackle the latest zero-day vulnerabilities. Installed updates = less viruses and malwares and warezes and et ceteras.

Just Upgrade Already

Windows 10 is to Windows 8 as Windows 7 is to Vista, or XP is to ME. It’s quick, stable, compatible and convertible. Let go of your preconceived notions and get Windows 10 now while it’s still free (for most upgraders). Signed, that guy who day-one-upgraded (not fresh installed) Windows 10 on every machine he has access to.

for Michigan > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 15:53

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Berang > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 15:53

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Well whatever it is, it fucked up the sensitivity of the touchpad on my laptop. I’ve been playing with the settings but it is either way too sensitive or not sensitive at all. And it was fine before I upgraded?

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 15:56

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God bless you nibbles.

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 15:56

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Well, yes, Win10 is a very solid OS. The problem, I think, lies in how MS has been handling the forced push roll out of it though, not the OS itself.

More people would probably upgrade sooner rather than later if they weren’t a little miffed with MS. Plus, some people might have proprietary programs that are not optimized for or even fully funtional on Win10 yet.

Jayhawk Jake > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 15:58

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I totally don’t understand the hate. Updated both my windows devices, love it.

not for canada - australian in disguise > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 15:58

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Apart from some issues with old games (Talking 10+ years old here, so it is to be expected) and that weird bug when the Start menu just wouldn’t work (Which has fixed itself), I’ve had nothing but a good experience with W10. In fact, I had more issues with 7.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 15:59

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I used it briefly on my work computer, then had to downgrade because some programs I’m not allowed to do anything with but use weren't having it. I liked what I saw, hopefully our IT department gets all our software inline with 10 so I can upgrade again.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 16:03

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The people on forums asking if they can get DX12 on windows 7 are ticking me off. They never want to upgrade because for some reason they think windows 10 is a virus. I’m sorry but there is no way to get your dvd player to play blu rays.

Nibbles > Berang 06/07/2016 at 16:05

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Windows 10 has had touchpad driver issues, namely with Elan hardware. It was a manufacturer issue; Elan was repackaging Windows 8.0 drivers and citing them as certified for 10 when they were obviously not. This caused issues for many - myself included on my old ASUS laptop - with the touchpads being generally unusable. My fix was to uninstall the software, drivers and hardware (from Device Manager) entirely, perform a Windows update (to get the latest driver CABs) and reinstall.

Tripper > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 16:05

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Agree! I started rolling it out at work a few months ago, a few have complained, but there are always a few.

Nibbles > Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) 06/07/2016 at 16:06

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True, their upgrade path has been less than stellar as of late. I don’t understand their move, but I see the motive behind it.

Nibbles > not for canada - australian in disguise 06/07/2016 at 16:06

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Me too. Even using my work computer (on 8.1) feels so archaic compared to 10.

Nibbles > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 06/07/2016 at 16:08

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In-house and proprietary software is always a problem when performing a major OS upgrade. I’ve seen some fail miserably and others work with minor tweaks.

Unfortunately MS can’t design for every piece of software built in some company’s IT dungeon.

Nibbles > Tripper 06/07/2016 at 16:08

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They started the rollout here too! I can’t wait to get off of 8.1

Baeromez > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 16:10

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Nah, gonna stick with XP. My computer is like one of those really old people who still smokes and claims their doctor told them they’d die if they quit.

Nibbles > Baeromez 06/07/2016 at 16:10

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What are your specs?

Short-throw Granny Shifter is 2 #blessed 2b stressed > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 16:11

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I’m loving 10, coming off of 7. Also, if your still rocking 8 in a world where upgrade to 10 is free, you deserve to have your computer seized by the Internet police.

Shane MacGowan's Teeth > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 16:12

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1) If it’s that good, why are they pushing it the way they would an unholy spawn of crack cocaine and malware?

2)Yeah, I’m going to have negative reactions to anything where a company takes away the product I bought and gives me something else without my consent pretty much every time. I chose 7, that’s what I spent money on. You should really get a yes from me, instead of just deciding you know best and changing my OS while I’m outside.

3) It broke downsampling for me. Sorry, but that’s an instant reversion.

Baeromez > Baeromez 06/07/2016 at 16:15

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“Pentium 4 CPU 3.20GHz 3.19GHz, 1.00 GB of RAM”

The Dummy Gummy > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 16:16

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If you want an OS that’s a constant advertisement, get 10. 10 has been terrible for me...

Vista was bad, this is worse. It has potential to be great, but it's not.

Baeromez > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 16:17

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“Pentium 4 CPU 3.20GHz 3.19GHz, 1.00 GB of RAM”

Nibbles > Shane MacGowan's Teeth 06/07/2016 at 16:18

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1) I cannot speak for Microsoft’s scheme to get people to upgrade. It’s absolutely stupid and has damaged the reputation of an otherwise fine OS

2) Please refer to point 1

3) That’s something I hope is fixed in the near future as well. As with in-house-developed and proprietary software, Microsoft cannot write for all exceptions

Nibbles > The Dummy Gummy 06/07/2016 at 16:20

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Please go on. I have been on Windows 10 since September 2014 and don’t understand what you’re getting at by “constant advertisement”

Nibbles > Baeromez 06/07/2016 at 16:20

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I’d love to see that box running 10, but understand why you’d not want to upgrade.

CB > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 16:22

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I’m sticking with 7 for now, but I’ll upgrade when I build my next desktop in two years (or less). It’s been fine having 10 on my laptop, though.

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 16:24

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Definitely, the logic/motivation behind it makes complete sense. The implementation of it, however, does not.

Nibbles > Short-throw Granny Shifter is 2 #blessed 2b stressed 06/07/2016 at 16:26

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This. Windows 7 is quite nice in its own right, but 8 really should be wiped off the earth.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 16:30

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Well, I’m one of those that got screwed. I like 10 overall, if all the new apps would just WORK...

Actually, that’s not entirely true. I don’t really give a damn about most of the Windows Store offerings and associated default apps, BUT I NEED MY CALCULATOR TO WORK DAMMIT

StoneCold > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 16:30

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It broke compatibility with our printers and scanners at work. It broke our accounting program networking outright.

I am not a fan of the forced updates.

Edit: So I should clarify that I’m fine personally with Windows 10, but I’m seeing the same problems as when Apple went from OS 9 to OS X, especially with schools and businesses.

Nibbles > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 06/07/2016 at 16:34

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Calc doesn’t work? That’s the first I’ve heard of that failure...

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 16:36

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I have updated all my devices at home to 10, but work is still running an all-7-pro house. drivers. our shipping label printers and some of our video hardware are totally unsupported on 10, and the RIPs all have issues with permissions on 10, and the EFI systems have no hardware support for the RIP boards under 10.

I like it, I really do, it’s a big improvement over 8, but the sneak-attack upgrades are justifiably hated and can make your IT life miserable... the RIPs are prevented from upgrading by manufacturer supplied patches, and we have since installed GWX control panel on all our mission critical boxes, driver support or no.

The Dummy Gummy > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 16:37

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Open the start menu, or any suggest app it gives you. I’ve been on it for probably the same time frame. The head ache it has caused me with drivers too has been disappointing as well.

I’m going to have to do a clean install on my laptop because it broke the wireless and sleep features.

I’d give you a screen shot but I’m not home.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 16:39

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Clarification: None of the modern apps work except for those classed as system apps, but calc is the only one I need and it falls under Windows apps and the jurisdiction of the Windows Store app, which also doesn’t work.

For the record I have administrator access.

Sneaky Pete > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 16:40

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I hate the start menu, and I hate that a lot of downloadable programs aren’t available or haven’t been tested for Windows 10.

Other than that, I don’t mind it.

Nibbles > The Dummy Gummy 06/07/2016 at 16:40

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Oh yeah, that’s right. It’s been so long since that was pushed out I forgot about this little nugget:

Nibbles > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 06/07/2016 at 16:41

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Holy crap snacks. That’s, well, that’s definitely not good.

ETA: Is that your personal computer, or a work box? If work, there may be a rogue GPO fuckin’ up app settings

Nibby > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 16:42

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JUST GODDAMN USE MS-DOS EVERYONE

Nibbles > Nibby 06/07/2016 at 16:43

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C:\

C:\DOS\

C:\DOS\deltree /y C:\*.*

smobgirl > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 16:44

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Nope. Not allowed. Our templates won't work on it.

Nibby > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 16:45

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you could get away with C:\

deltree /y *.*

Nibbles > smobgirl 06/07/2016 at 16:46

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Companies will do as they will - they don’t get the free upgrades anyway.

For your home machines though, there’s very little reason to stay on the old OSes.

Nibbles > Nibby 06/07/2016 at 16:47

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I was gonna do the whole C:\DOS\run joke but got distracted halfway through

smobgirl > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 16:49

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A few people have accidentally run the updates where it upgraded. The bigger question is, why the hell is it taking us nearly a year to figure out an Excel template upgrade?

TheHondaBro > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 16:50

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Windows 10 is lightyears better than Windows 7.

TheHondaBro > Nibby 06/07/2016 at 16:51

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Nibby PSA: Use Windows 98

Nibbles > smobgirl 06/07/2016 at 16:52

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So the issue is with Office versions, got ya.

It seems some people are almost more rabid about holding onto Office than they are Windows. I know people running Windows 10 with Office 2003 (handicapped severely) because “...Outlook was so much nicer back then”

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 16:59

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I’m a big fan of Win 10, but I too had the this calculator (and calendar) problem on an upgraded laptop. It works now, but it took a few months until an update fixed it.

smobgirl > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 17:01

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That’s my assumption, but who knows. They just sent a panicked email telling us not to run updates until told otherwise. They fried one of my previous laptops trying to uninstall Vista so I'm not exactly pushing for an upgrade.

I had several hours of training in December for a template that still hasn’t rolled out for whatever the hell old version of windows/office we’re currently using. I mean, there are several report writing options available on the market already, but I guess we’re gonna be stubborn.

WhereAreMyPants > Shane MacGowan's Teeth 06/07/2016 at 17:34

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Because the faster they can get people onto ten, the sooner they can turn off the Vista/7/8/8.1 support teams and focus on modern software.

WhereAreMyPants > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 17:35

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^^^ This times eleventy bajillion gazillion.

Windows 10 is an excellent OS. It’s a free fucking upgrage. If your PC can run it, please do so. You will make the IT people in your life so happy.

Nibby > TheHondaBro 06/07/2016 at 17:36

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did you get that retrobox running?

TheHondaBro > Nibby 06/07/2016 at 17:37

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I honestly haven’t been paying attention to it lately. I’ve been too busy. It’s a cool thing to have though.

Nibby > TheHondaBro 06/07/2016 at 17:45

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Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 06/07/2016 at 17:49

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Work. The problem is I don’t really have the time to mess with it. I already burned quite a bit of time today trying stuff that didn’t work.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 06/07/2016 at 17:53

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Calc, calendar, mail, maps, alarms and store itself.

Calendar and mail: Outlook 2010 from Windows 7 is better anyway.

Alarms and store: Who cares.

Maps: Chrome and Google Maps.

Calculator: Clunky scientific desk calc. Works fine, but after using windows calc all the time it’s sooooooo awkward...

V6 or Bust > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 18:05

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I had it on my laptop for a while, but I had to revert because I hate that flat UI and the color scheme so much. It hurts my eyes to look at. I have bad eyesight, and I need clear differentiation between UI elements. As far as color goes, I think there’s too much of it- I usually run in grayscale, and it was too difficult to see things. If they’d left Classic mode in, or the option to install themes, I’d have upgraded immediately.

Nibbles > V6 or Bust 06/07/2016 at 18:13

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That's a viable reason for downgrading. At least you tried it before passing judgment :)

JahMayCan > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 18:27

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nice!

Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 18:31

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my tinfoil hat is on.

I upgraded a few days ago. When I initially upgraded on the first possible day nearly a year ago, I had to revert because the start bar wouldn’t work when I continually returned to the laptop when it came out of sleep mode.

My speed3 is happy > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 19:46

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You forgot the absolute ZOMGFINALLYTHANKYOU reason to upgrade: bash shell on Windows!

For me it makes working on Visual Studio based projects (where I have to use Windows) a lot less painful, not bad now actually.

Almostthe4th > Nibbles 06/07/2016 at 23:24

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It broke the freaking Windows File Explorer as soon as I upgraded. Instant reversion to Windows 7. I don’the have time to troubleshoot a super basic function of the OS on the computer that I make my living with.