6 minutes ago, Hamus Yaigh said:

So how do you access this forum as you shouldn't be on the internet full stop without an up to date o/s? #luddites

IIRC Thai Immigration is still using XP.

5 minutes ago, soalbundy said:

I don't know, I use my 19 year old computer and here I am.

I have a 19 yo car. Why change something that still works?

2 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

I can say when I was using Windows, I was hacked twice. The second hack destroyed the hard drive.

 

You probably didn't update the OS then, I've been using MS for 27 years and haven't been "hacked" once.

 

And I doubt you were "hacked" twice, frankly.

Just now, Lacessit said:

I have a 19 yo car. Why change something that still works?

my Honda Jazz is 20 years old, so far I've replaced the front and rear suspension, the clutch and the air con compressor, it's never let me down.

On 8/4/2025 at 9:20 PM, save the frogs said:

 

I think support for Windows 10 will end in October.

You will have no choice but to update then.

Well, not exactly sure how it works. Since there will be no upgrades to Windows 10, I think it becomes highly susceptible to viruses and maybe new software won't even work well with Windows 10? Not sure. 

 

yeah... this is their solution to get you to install their newest versions. It also allows them to stop updating security protocols on the W10. Personally, I do not like the windows. I use apple now and use Chrome with apple and it is sufficient enough. 3 bucks a month for 60gb Icloud is also sufficient. 

5Gb with microsoft cloud is pathetic. A few pics and Vdos and files and that fills up quickly. Also i do not like their defender program forced on your pc. It always caused me problems and was very difficult to turn off. It always seemed to turn itself on again. 

 

The windows stores too much data into your pc taking away speed and storage. If you are not a pc expert then windows also makes too make cookies and shortcuts to access your data which is also hard to get rid of if you are not a pc expert. Making the pc slower over time. 

Regardless of the operating system, you can set it up that that someone in Australia, for instance, can set up Torrents to upload to the cloud without them even touching his PC/device. You can then stream or download them wherever you are in the world on any device with an Internet connection. Him downloading them, transferring them to a drive and sending it, is a bit primitive 😊

1 hour ago, JakeC said:

Regardless of the operating system, you can set it up that that someone in Australia, for instance, can set up Torrents to upload to the cloud without them even touching his PC/device. You can then stream or download them wherever you are in the world on any device with an Internet connection. Him downloading them, transferring them to a drive and sending it, is a bit primitive 😊

You may be right. However, with 25 TV series yet to watch, at my age I may not have enough time left to see them all.

I have no idea of the answer to that question. Perhaps that is their idea of variety. The main thing is that we have control over ourselves, in so these things do not have a negative effect on us. Keep it good natured.

20 hours ago, soalbundy said:

I don't know, I use my 19 year old computer and here I am. Incidentally when I 'clean' the computer every evening I've noted I'm still getting updates? patches? for my windows 7

It’s impressive your 19-year-old PC is still running, but just a heads-up—Windows 7 hasn’t received real security updates since 2020 unless you were part of Microsoft’s paid ESU program, which ended for most users last year. If you’re seeing updates, they’re probably for other software, not the OS itself. Using Win7 online today is risky, especially for anything involving personal data, banking, online shopping etc. If you ever consider upgrading, even a lightweight Linux distro or a stripped-down Win10/11 setup could give you better security without sacrificing performance.

 

- Windows 7 officially reached end-of-life on January 14, 2020. Microsoft stopped providing free security updates and support at that point.
- No regular updates or patches are being sent to standard Windows 7 users in 2025. If you’re seeing “updates,” it’s likely:
- Microsoft Defender or other Microsoft software updating independently.
- Windows Update checking for outdated drivers or optional components.
- Or possibly third-party software updates (e.g., antivirus, browser).

 

Modern threats target unpatched vulnerabilities, and Windows 7 lacks the hardened defenses built into Windows 10 and 11. Even if it “works,” it’s not safe for banking, email, or anything involving sensitive data.

 

56 minutes ago, Hamus Yaigh said:

It’s impressive your 19-year-old PC is still running, but just a heads-up—Windows 7 hasn’t received real security updates since 2020 unless you were part of Microsoft’s paid ESU program, which ended for most users last year. If you’re seeing updates, they’re probably for other software, not the OS itself. Using Win7 online today is risky, especially for anything involving personal data, banking, online shopping etc. If you ever consider upgrading, even a lightweight Linux distro or a stripped-down Win10/11 setup could give you better security without sacrificing performance.

 

- Windows 7 officially reached end-of-life on January 14, 2020. Microsoft stopped providing free security updates and support at that point.
- No regular updates or patches are being sent to standard Windows 7 users in 2025. If you’re seeing “updates,” it’s likely:
- Microsoft Defender or other Microsoft software updating independently.
- Windows Update checking for outdated drivers or optional components.
- Or possibly third-party software updates (e.g., antivirus, browser).

 

Modern threats target unpatched vulnerabilities, and Windows 7 lacks the hardened defenses built into Windows 10 and 11. Even if it “works,” it’s not safe for banking, email, or anything involving sensitive data.

 

Banking these days requires a QR code apart from passwords, Wise has a double protection, i.e. a messaged code to my phone that gives a code number to be filled in on their site window. I have never had a problem with a virus or banking. Sometimes 'wise' will send me a message saying the computer I'm using is unknown to them (I only ever use the same computer) and I get an email asking if I am making the transaction with this 'windows 10 ??' computer, I say yes, despite having windows 7 not 10, and the transaction goes through.

I have used computers for many years while working in a design department but I am not computer savvy, technology has never interested me. Why a should a 19 year old computer be any different to an old smart phone or a 20 year old car, both of which work trouble free. I recently had my Honda Jazz resprayed, it looks new inside and outside, I know people with the newest car and a load of debt....not for me. I bought my 18 yr son a new smart phone, 10,000 Baht, he gushed over all the features until I asked him what can it actually do that your old one couldn't...,he was at a loss to answer how the shiny new thing was really any different.

Post in red colour removed.

Reply to it also removed

I still use window 7, with antivirus but have tried several flavours of Linux. 7 is pretty good but ever Linux installation was removed as they all caused problems eventually.

On 8/7/2025 at 7:06 AM, soalbundy said:

. I have never had a problem with a virus

 

Same here, I have a laptop from Samsung that's 15 years old that's been running Win 7 for ages. No virus, no nothing, no issues at all apart from Windows now declaring I don't have a "genuine" copy, which I just ignore.

On 8/6/2025 at 9:38 AM, MJCM said:

There are ways around all those requirements but they will only work until MS decides to enforce all the requirements  What MS is thinking no one knows. They even said that Windows 10 is the last version ever, and now there is even "rumors" about Windows 12.

IMHO Microsoft is the best marketing company for alternate Operating Systems. I am seriously considering to switch to MAC OS.

I have seriously thought of changing to MAC OS. The only thing which stops me is the hassle of finding good replacement software I use on Microsoft.

The cost involved would also be an off put. 

My biggest gripe with windows 11 was that things were moved just for the sake of making it look different. I spent nearly a year moving the cursor to the bottom left to shut down before my brain learned the new position. The file IO is still garbage with 11.

18 minutes ago, Surasak said:

I have seriously thought of changing to MAC OS. The only thing which stops me is the hassle of finding good replacement software I use on Microsoft.

The cost involved would also be an off put. 

 

I was sent a Macbook Air M2 and had to work on it for a year .What a nightmare this Mac OS was, I was so glad to get rid of it.

 

Really don't like Mac OS.

I too favour Windows 7 for it's lightness, ease of navigation and appearance. Recently discovered 'Reunion7' which is Windows 7 with Windows 10 kernel. Allows you to instal newer programs. Apparently, the next version is in the oven. Worth checking out especially as it's free. https://reunion7.com/downloads.html

I have a nice core i7 Lenovo Yoga notebook, about 6 years old now.  in January, WInblows 11 started throttling my network interfaces.  Only getting about 20mbps down and 2 up, on a 200+mbps internet connection.  Okay, time for a full re-install...  6 or so hours later and I've got a brandy-new Winblows 11 install, all drivers working blah blah.   STILL throttled the connection!!  Tried back version drivers of both the hard-wired NIC on the USB-c dock and the WIFI adapter.   No beans.  Something deep in the network stack in Winblows must be responsible.

Been playing with Linux since about 1999, was never patient enough to do it full time on a work computer, though.  Exasperated with W11, I downloaded current version of Ubuntu onto a USB drive.  Boots nearly instantly.  Network interface full speed, no drivers, no nothing, wired and Wifi.

After a week, I formatted the SSD and did a full install.   I'm not that good with command prompts, know only a few BASH commands.  However, nowadays, you just type into any search engine what you want to do and instanly have copy-past BASH commands for just about anything.  Literally everything works on my notebook except the fingerprint reader.  

Linux is not hard anymore.  It barely takes anymore patience than Winblows.   5+ months in and I'm never going back unless work absolutely demands it.

Both of my computers (tower and laptop) are running Win11. I've had no problems with it. But, you certainly could, especially on a new computer, remove Win11 and install Win10. I wouldn't recommend that, but it is definitely possible. 

1 hour ago, The Fugitive said:

I too favour Windows 7 for it's lightness, ease of navigation and appearance. Recently discovered 'Reunion7' which is Windows 7 with Windows 10 kernel. Allows you to instal newer programs. Apparently, the next version is in the oven. Worth checking out especially as it's free. https://reunion7.com/downloads.html

 

Minimum specifications: (reunion7)

CPU - 1 gigahertz (GHz) or a faster 64-bit processor

RAM - 4 GiB (4096MiB) of RAM

DISK - 20 GiB of available disk space

GPU - DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 driver

On 8/4/2025 at 9:20 PM, save the frogs said:

 

I think support for Windows 10 will end in October.

You will have no choice but to update then.

Well, not exactly sure how it works. Since there will be no upgrades to Windows 10, I think it becomes highly susceptible to viruses and maybe new software won't even work well with Windows 10? Not sure. 

 

Doubtful if you will have problems staying with Windows 10. I certainly wont be changing to Windows 11. Get a good Antivirus package and install that. You wont be open to viruses then.

On 8/7/2025 at 12:06 PM, soalbundy said:

I bought my 18 yr son a new smart phone, 10,000 Baht, he gushed over all the features until I asked him what can it actually do that your old one couldn't...,he was at a loss to answer how the shiny new thing was really any different.

Like father like son, you taught him well ::sigh::

Just now, Hamus Yaigh said:

Like father like son, you taught him well ::sigh::

Mummy demands that her prince gets the best, I have lernt not to argue with 'she who must be obeyed'.

On 8/4/2025 at 9:50 AM, cliveshep said:

The file system in Windows 11 saves to the 'cloud' by default as I discovered, the folder 'documents' is not stored on my SSD.

I have just bought a new computer that came with Win 11 which I am still trying to get my head around.

Seeing your post I immediately went to the Onedrive folder and it shows "Folder empty".

Your statement that it saves to the cloud by default cannot be true, must be something in the settings.

You can find "documents" under "user" on the "C" drive.

 

11 hours ago, Photoguy21 said:

Doubtful if you will have problems staying with Windows 10. I certainly wont be changing to Windows 11. Get a good Antivirus package and install that. You wont be open to viruses then.

 

How good are antivirus programs? 

Why take the risk?

Some people here have already switched to Windows 11 and it seems fine.

 

1 hour ago, sandyf said:

I have just bought a new computer that came with Win 11 which I am still trying to get my head around.

Seeing your post I immediately went to the Onedrive folder and it shows "Folder empty".

Your statement that it saves to the cloud by default cannot be true, must be something in the settings.

You can find "documents" under "user" on the "C" drive.

 

You need to sign into one drive using any Microsoft account.

Just right click on the OneDrive icon and follow the sign in instructions.

If you have more than one computer do the same on it/them and your OneDrive files will be synced automatically.

You can also set whether they automatically download to your computers on login or they just stay in the cloud.

 

Since about 20 years I use a notebook (Lenovo) running on windows and a mac as desktop. I give them both   around 8 years and then just change the hardware -> buy a new one.

 

I once went through changing the harddisk on my notebook because it didn't start up anymore correctly. I was lucky and was able to save all of the datas, had to build out the harddisk an connected with an adapter onto my external storage device.

 

Since then I make on my Mac as also on my Windows Notebook every month a full backup onto external harddisks. 

 

It's woth it, but one only realizes that when the tool (regardless if Mac or Win) you use every day suddenly says "nada".

16 minutes ago, Schoggibueb said:

Since then I make on my Mac as also on my Windows Notebook every month a full backup onto external harddisks. 

 

I don't need to do that as all my data goes straight onto large external hard drives. So if the laptop ever gives out the data is all on the hard drives.

 

I do however duplicate the data on 3 other hard drives, just to be safe.

On 8/4/2025 at 9:34 PM, Lacessit said:

The people at Technocom were aghast when when I uninstalled Windows 11 from my new laptop, and installed Linux Mint.

 

If I wanted an OS perpetually spying on me............

 

 

 

 

The staff in the Apple store were confused when I took the 16" Macbook Pro that I'd paid 130,000 THB for in to check if a bluetooth mouse would work with it.  

They looked at me like "of course it will work".

Until I turned it on and showed them there was no Apple Software on it all, I completely wiped the stupid MacOS off and replaced it with Linux Mint. 

I've been a computer dude for 47 years and used so many different operating systems over the years.  The best by far is Linux.  

A few years ago I told all my clients that I would no longer provide any support for anything made by Microsoft or running on a Windows or Mac.  That upset a few of my long term clients who were stupidly still using friggin Outlook. 
 

On 8/4/2025 at 9:34 PM, Lacessit said:

The people at Technocom were aghast when when I uninstalled Windows 11 from my new laptop, and installed Linux Mint.

 

I've got a Dell laptop that has been converted from Windows 10 to Ubuntu Linux.  If you're mainly using a browser, it's a no brainer.  Google Chrome (my browser of choice) works seamlessly on Linux.

Also, it boots from cold in about 20 seconds.  I've been running it for three years now and never had an issue.

There are plenty of shops that could do the installation for you.