Resolved Member not happy with W7

One of our members is not happy with W7, and does not like W8. He wants to go back to XP ,even though it will not have 'Support' next year, he thinks that by that time W8i (or is it W81 ? ) will have sorted out any teething problems and he may get to like it (?).
Can I re-install XP ?, ( clean instal) he has W7 Home at present.
Spanner.

 

Microsoft security research paints bleak picture for XP users

 

Hi Spanner, Vista was quite a change from XP. Windows 7 was an improvement on Vista. Windows 8 was/is mind blowing - Metro interface and Tiles and Apps - but as Doc has stated, security and vulnerability will be a major problem for the older OS's in the immediate future.

My experience with Windows 8 and now Windows 8.1 is that you can Download software to make the interface look like XP. A friendly Desktop which then gives you the opportunity to learn your way in this new Format.

As a Septuagenarian getting nearer to the Octo category, I find it a great learning curve to keep up with Technology. Unfortunately, if you don't try and keep up, you will be lost.
I personally own and use 3 Smartphones (Android Google) and have repaired 3 cellphones with broken Digitizer screens and replaced faulty LCD screens for the owners.
I've "Rooted" cellphones and updated the ROM's.

We all use modern technology in some way or another - emails (instead of writing letters) - Internet Banking and Bill/Accounts/Funds transfers - hardly go near Banks - we use ATM's to get cash.
Her in New Zealand we have been advised that our Mail deliveries will be reduced from 6 days a week to 3 days. This is because there is physically less letters being posted.

What I'm trying to say is that your members (with all due respect) had better get on board or they wiil get well and truly left behind.
My sincere thoughts. Neil.

 

I personally don't think Windows 7 is very much different (well, maybe a little) from XP, but Windows 8 is another animal altogether.

Programs like Classic Shell can make Windows 7 look like XP. I'd stay with W7 instead of backing up to outdated software.

 

Neil:

Do you really think the various hackers will be interested in hacking XP? Surely, that's small potatoes compared to the challenge of trying to hack W8 or 8.1?

After 20+ years of working with Windows (starting at Win 3.0), I've been repeatedly ****** off at MS for introducing "new and wonderful" features I don't have any interest in. I only have XP because it was all that was available when I bought my present desk-top I'd have been quite happy keeping Win 3.0, which I was using at work, even now.

IMO, MS is going to have a firestorm of problems when they kill XP. I've been in hospital three times in the last couple of years and every patient room (over 700 of them in one regional facility) has an XP computer, tied into a facility-wide system. Maybe these organizations have their own IT groups that can keep XP running and secure despite MS pulling the plug.

I may update my desktop to W7. The evaluator tool says it can hack it provided I update two proprietary programs. DW already gave up on MS. She gave her XP net-book an unintended 10-hour shower in Pinot Grigio a couple of weeks ago and it is dead beyond resurrection.

She has now become an iPad user, with a unit the Apple-based grand-kids gave her. Boy, talk about a learning curve!

 

???

That data, (yours included), is like gold laying around on those ancient, vulnerable XP machines. The hackers are frothing at the mouth.

 

fdamp, after support for XP ends, as Doc said your info will be vulnerable.
If you move onto W7 or W8.1 you will have the same info on your comp? but better protected.
The first motor car I learnt to drive on was a Model A Ford, but I wouldn't use one for everyday use today.
My first portable radio was a Philco that measured 14" x 6" x 12" but I can do the same (and more) with my Android Smartphone which fits in my shirt pocket!
We used to use folding money to pay for goods - now we can tap & go with our plastic cards.
The Future is before us and if we want to enjoy it - we must endeavour to keep up with it. End of homily. Neil.

 

That makes sense.

Hackers are always looking for the weakest link (so to speak).

 

Wow ! what an interesting thread I dug out of the ground.
I read this thread to our members on the Tuesday and Thursday sessions, their faces were interesting to see and those staying with or wanting to go back to XP had a rethink.
One of my PC's is a very old Dell OptiPlex, folds up like a suitcase, I have XP on it and use it to research XP problems from the members, it has full security protection but I never put information on it of a personal nature, I will leave XP on it for a while and see what happens.
I have W7. W8 and W81 on the others.
Please explain, when installing W7, there is a reference to an XP link, as if you can use XP alongside W7 .
Thanks everyone, and I had Windows 3.0 when they were just smoothing the corners off the wheel.
Spanner.

 

About the same time they invented the WWW?

 

Almost. Windows 3.0 was released on May 22, 1990. The World Wide Web was opened to new users on August 23, 1991, (1 year, 3 months and 1 day later).

 

Those were my pre-computer days. What type of characters did one type into the address bar back then?

 

BC = Before Computers

Typed in the same thing: http://www.______________

 

I just happened to come accross this thread and I find it quite interesting since I am currently a Windows XP users and am contemplating getting another computer and putting Windows 7 on it. Someone mentioned 'Classic Shell' and it interests me very much. If someone has a chance I would appreciate a private message telling me about it.

As far as being an old timer, I started using a computer back when the only thing available was PC-Dos and found a DosShell based application which put everything on the screen called '1dirPlus' which was made by a company called Bourbaki, Inc. out of Boise, Idaho. This was in 1988. Then the next year I installed Windows 2.0. Look at us now...

 

MaximumPC > Start8 vs. Classic Shell

 

Hmmm...

Not everyone agrees...

The conclusion of this head to head makes zero sense as it has multiple categories that Start8 won based on criteria that does not matter.

Round 1 Installation: Tie - Makes sense since they both can be Click next,Click next,Click next,Done installs.

Round 2 Options - Makes sense since it has way more options.

Round 3 Functionality - DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. How can Start8 win the functionality round when it provides less options for manipulation? This objectively means that it does not have the functionality to serve very specific use cases. If this category is just the basic functionality of providing a start button then it should be a tie as BOTH programs provide the requested function or a WIN for Classic Shell based on its ability to be modified to suit very specific needs where Start8 can not. The easier to understand interface is something that should be attributed to the ease of use round, NOT the functionality round.

Round 4 Ease of use - Depending on if this is ease of use of the standard function or of the entire package, this should be a tie or a win for Start8. If its just the ease of use of the start button itself then this should be a tie... you click and have a start button... both are the same. If its the ease of use of the whole package then Start8 wins because of the ease of use in the options area as noted in round 3.

Round 5 Price - Makes sense since Classic Shell is free.

So the score should be:

1 - Tie
2 - Classic Shell
3 - Classic Shell
4 - Start8 or a Tie
5 - Classic Shell

The ONLY advantage of Start8 is the ease of use in the options menu. That's it. And considering this is MaximumPC that criteria should hold little to no water considering the demographic of the readers. This should be a CLEAR WIN for Classic Shell.
​

 

"Opinions are like ... eveyone's got one."

BTW, I did try a few before settling on Start8.

 

Sorry for delay in closing this thread, I have retired as voluntary administrator from our over 50's computer forum at our Centre, having done 15 years. I will be 83 in January, so will return to my other interest ,Marquetry.
The member that this thread related to, has admitted defeat and now has Windows 8 and is getting along with it ok, it only takes a little time. so I will mark this thread 'Resolved' and my thanks to everyone for their help.
I will still be in touch, but not so often.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to who, and where ever ,you are.
Thanks ,Spanner

 

Congratulations, Happy Birthday, Best of Luck and Happy Holidays!