Updating Windows® 7

[heartbone]

I really liked Windows 7 a whole bunch. Windows 10, I like twice as much.

My primary desktop-PC, I avoided upgrading from Windows 7, for several months. It wasn't because of rumours about Windows 10 and Microsoft spying. I've kept up with all the rumours spreading over the Internet. Long before the official Windows 10 release, to this day. Nothing I've read was substantial, or even appeared to be done by knowledgeable folks.
{snip}
Windows 10 is securer
{snip}

Perhaps you didn't notice, go back and check, I've truly attempted to stick to facts (not opinions) in this thread.

I'd appreciate it if you posted your fantasies in a different thread Thunder93, for this one is about updating Windows® 7, not getting others to follow your foolish decision to use Microsoft's latest OS on personal computers.

[Thunder93]

Misunderstanding bro. I never applied, or meant that you was spreading false information. I was simply referring to the propaganda all around the web in general. I don't recall reading anything from you here, that was misleading in any way, but I should re-read the entire topic again anyways.

However, I'll have to disagree with regards that my post isn't related to the topic. Apologies if you feel that way.

[heartbone]

Misunderstanding bro. I never applied, or meant that you was spreading false information. I was simply referring to the propaganda all around the web in general. I don't recall reading anything from you here, that was misleading in any way, but I should re-read the entire topic again anyways.

However, I'll have to disagree with regards that my post isn't related to the topic. Apologies if you feel that way.

Apology accepted.
Thank you.
I'd love to discuss the merits of Windows® 10, just not in this thread.
Please start another thread so I can make posts about the new ways of computing represented by that new OS.
My main concern in this thread is preserving the freedom represented by Win7, but I'd love to warn you about the hidden dangers contained in the new OS.

[heartbone]

Microsoft changes Win7/8.1 updates, pushes even harder for Windows 10

"Starting in October, patches will be cumulative and Win7/8.1 customers will effectively cede control of their PCs to Microsoft"

I think that my un-beaconed Windows® 7 installation is as good as it's gonna get.

For the past few months I've been using UBUNTU at least 95% of the time, so my not ever using Windows Update is not much of a problem.

The majority of my computer time is spent using a browser (Firefox) to access YouTube, news, forums, and (Chromuim) poker.
Then watching videos (VLC) comes second, while PureBasic programming comes third.
The wonderful Thunderbird allows me to access my 14 year old emails.

At this point, the only thing that I actually need Windows® for is the Nero 6 movie creator XP application (that I have not found a replacement for in Linux yet),
or the similar DVD Flick DVD authoring application in Windows® 7.

The text to speech capabilities of Windows® are much better than what is available in UBUNTU.
Therefore I use both ReadPlease 2003 and Balabolka by way of WINE, and UBUNTU does what I need there.

I almost forgot, I have yet to figure out how to use the UBUNTU Kazam screen recording program,
so actually the wonderful CamStudio 2.7 has yet to be replaced as well.
I admit that I haven't tried CamStudio though WINE yet, and it very well might work, same possibility with DVD Flick.

So there are only a few areas where I need Windows® as the OS, and if they have not already, over time those shortcomings will be addressed one way or another, either by the creation of better Linux programs or by better WINE compatibility with existing Windows® software. A great example is that the ImgBurn disc writing program runs very well in WINE. Judging the number of recent development releases, WINE is rapidly and continually getting better, and I consider it to be the future of Windows® updating.
_____________________________________________________________________________

If for some reason you need to reinstall Windows® 7...
"Based on a technique created by a German blogger, here's how to stop wasting hours checking for Windows 7 updates"

Good luck with that, because it has become obvious that Microsoft is doing everything that they can to sell you out to the fascist forces, in other words, put Windows® 10 on your computer. Again good luck with the reinstalls.

[heartbone]

Which patches to patch?
"Yep, we’re at MS-DEFCON 2, which means I don’t think there’s any reason to install the current round of patches."

MS-DEFCON System
"MS-DEFCON 2: Patch reliability is unclear. Unless you have an immediate, pressing need to install a specific patch, don’t do it."

Windows 7 log file compression bug can fill up your hard drive
"There are incorrect solutions to the problem all over the web, but one approach seems to end the madness. If your Windows 7 or 2008 R2 hard drive is overwhelmed by log files, here's what to do"

Language Pack slowdown with Windows 7
"I believe Language Packs should not be installed unless there is a need for them as they slow down the system."

Yes it sure seems like the quality at Microsoft has slipped several notches.
Nowadays "patching" a perfectly working system seems to be problematic.
http://www.infoworld.com/article/311256 ... ws-10.html

[netmaestro]

I bought a new Lenovo laptop last spring and I was fortunate enough to get it with Win7 Professional pre-installed, with the option to "upgrade" (what a joke) to Win10. I ran a utility called "Never 10" to ensure my computer never takes it upon itself to make the change and the only updates I will consider at all are the latest version of the Malicious Software Removal Tool and any device drivers that come available in an update. How the hell am I supposed to know what Security Update "Kxxxxxxx" is going to do? I don't, and I don't have the time or inclination to bother finding out. My OS works just fine, thanks, MS. When they started taking a press of the X button in the top-right of permission dialogs as "Yes, do it", that was enough for me. Win 7 is as far as I will ever go.

[VB6_to_PBx]

last nite , i had to Email my Software to a Customer
who just made the upgrade from WIN7 to WIN10
and in the process lost what he said was about 15 years of Data , he's very sick about this ,
but realizes he should have been backing up all that Data in all that time !

i told him he needs to buy external Hard Drives like Western Digital
and consistently backup everything he does.

i have WD ext drives always on each of my Computers
and another 2 or 3 WD's for each Computer .. in others words, multiple backup WD's for the main WD/Computers
The backups have backup WD's

after i sent him the software
i spent about 8+ hours going thru and making sure i had everything new backed up .

Why is WIN10 upgrade destroying User's Data ???

[VB6_to_PBx]

just a few minutes ago ,another Customer lost my Program and all his Data
upgrading to WIN10 from WIN7

whats going on with WIN10 upgrades now ???

[heartbone]

GWX swept away as pattern emerges in Windows updates
"This hornet’s nest of rollup patches, .Net offal, and miscellany looks remarkably like the mess we’re expecting to see in October"

KB 3185911 speeds up the Windows 7 scan for updates
"We have a new "magic" patch that cuts Windows 7 updates scans from hours to minutes"

Which way with Windows? Here are your options
"Among Windows' bewildering array of versions, builds, rings, updates, branches, and editions, here's what you should consider"

Blame Microsoft -- not users -- for fragmented patching in Windows 7 and 8.1
"Users for the most part have only been trying to protect themselves from 'Get Windows 10' nagware and Microsoft snooping"

It's rare that you find such honesty in the corporate (whorprit) press,

Only 37 days remain to legally purchase a machine with a virgin copy of Windows® 7.

[heartbone]

The retail software end of sales date for Windows® 7 was October 31, 2013.
Next week, on October 31st, 2016 Microsoft will inhibit the last legal way to obtain a new copy of Windows® 7, as they disallow any more computers from being manufactured with a new license.

What this means is that if you don't already own a copy of the world's most popular computer operating system by the end of this week, then it will become increasingly difficult to procure a new license from a reputable source.
Access to Windows® 8.1 is being pulled at the same time!

Less than a year ago I upgraded my Windows® XP hardware with a system that I'm very pleased with.
At the time it was $120 with a 250 GB hard drive.
They've since lowered the price to $100, while swapping the decent 250 GB drive with an adequate 160 GB drive.
This HP desktop is a very reliable, business class, 100% Intel hardware components build and I've helped friends and family acquire five of these so far.

HP Elite 8000 Windows 7 Professional Desktop Refurbished; Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz; 64-bit; 4GB RAM; 160GB Hard Drive $99.99

I continue to strongly recommend that system (along with the following suggested add-ons) to anyone who is still on the fence about upgrading their old Windows® XP system, or obtaining a new system.
The only real alternative is to either grin and bear the latest OS, Windows® 10 spyware, or if you have cash to waste, then check out Apple's products, they work just as well.
I use UBUNTU Linux 96+% of the time and love it, but 90+% of computer users are comfortable with Windows®.

WD Black Performance 1TB 7200RPM SATA III 6Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive $69.99
This will be for the eventually needed additional storage capacity if you are like many computer users.

Toshiba Canvio Basics 2TB 5,400 RPM USB 3.0 2.5" Portable Hard Drive $84.99
This is necessary for system backups and audio visual file storage.

AOC M2470SWH 24" LED Monitor $99.99
If a new display is needed, this inexpensive unit has a decent 1920 x 1080 resolution.

Cyber Acoustics CA-3350 Curve.Storm 2.1 Channel Sound System $34.99
If needed, this replaces the desktop unit's built-in speaker for hi-fi movies and enhanced music.

ASUS Radeon HD 6450 Low Profile 1GB DDR3 PCIe 2.1 x16 Video Card $39.99 (possible $10 rebate)
If needed, this speeds up graphically demanding games and applications.

LG GH24NSC0B 24x Internal DVD Rewritable SATA Drive $14.99
If a CD & DVD burning capability is needed, this unit replaces the system's DVD ROM player.

445 USD + tax ain't too shabby for a COMPLETE modern desktop system, one that has 4 front and 6 rear USB ports.
especially when some spend more on a single graphics card.

Perhaps exactly 2 months from today, some lucky kid will get this bundle as a stocking stuffer!

[heartbone]

If any of you decide to get a new Windows® 7 machine in the near future, then the following week old post may just save you a bit of hassle.

"Here is a 100% guaranteed solution to the updating blues for Windows 7.

This has "NEVER" failed and I own a computer repair shop. I, like many others have always looked for a way to streamline Windows 7 updates. This is the solution that will accomplish three things.
First KB3020369 is a prerequisite to install the roll up package
second (KB3125574) is a roll up package to reduce the total umber of updated needed at the end
Third (KB3102810) will help with the high CPU usage during updates
Fourth (KB3112343) is the update client first release
Fifth (KB3172605) is the next release
Sixth (KB3161664) is the September 2016 update client release

Although like some others have mentioned, you can cut some of these out and it will indeed update, however this will reduce our actual time needed for installing all security updates... "

You have one week left to buy a Windows 7 PC