Window (face palm here) want a mac I think

[OutlawStar]

Its tough to diagnose problems as general as those; but printing a web page should be governed by the browser, and possibly print driver.

Adobe has to be updated, thats one of the biggest security risks because of the nature of the software.

If you're spending 30-90 minutes on trouble shooting and fixing a gremlin, I would suspect your google-fu is lacking, or you're chasing problems that aren't there. Many problems I see with people hating windows are user-errors.

Norton is pretty terrible; and regarded as a system resource hog and less than effective antivirus. McAfee and microsoft security essentials are regarded as some of the best for performance and effectiveness.

I am by no means super fix-it when it comes to computer problems, but google is #1 in IT repair, second is realizing that you (the user) may be causing the problems, often due to being unaware a "feature" was added and broke your process of using the computer. Back in the day, ctrl+alt+del was used along side ctrl+esc for a while. After ctrl+esc was removed as a common command, it would often create problems instead of fix them.

[GovGeek]

I have switched all of my PCs to Windows 10 and have had zero problems. I run with Start 10 to get the older Windows 7 interface. not sure why you are having so many problems with Windows 7. Just go to 10, install Start 10 and give it a try.

From what I read Windows 7 support ended last year, so I do not know why you would be seeing updates. Just go Win 10, try it. If it doesn't suit you then figure it out from there.

Solving problems with more 3rd party software is not something I'd recommend. Also, Windows10 is very close to Windows7 behaviour, especially the start menu. Windows8/8.1 was a PITA and many people chose those kinds user shell replacements which was understandable. I don't think there's a reason for them now, especially if you're trying to improve stability.

Support for Windows7 is in "Extended" mode until 01/14/2020. That's why we'll all be getting patches until then. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...ha=windows%207

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle#gp/lifePolicy

And in fact... Microsoft JUST released what is essentially rollup SP2 for Windows7! https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/...ows-7-and-8-1/

[GovGeek]

I do have Norton though, & know, it's not all good with them.

I would not re-up your Norton license. Not because it's bad, but because Microsoft Security Essentials combined with Windows Defender, which was built exactly for your OS are FREE. Also, you'll have to uninstall it anyway for the Win10 upgrade to succeed. But don't worry, Microsoft performs a pre-flight on your system prior to the upgrade to make sure it can upgrade it. It'll warn you if there's something standing in the way.

Anyway, in Windows10 Security Essentials and Defender are embedded and turned on by default, but MS combined them and changed it to simply "Windows Defender." For the MS haters who don't want it, as soon as you install a 3rd party antivirus, Windows Defender turns itself off like a gentlemen and bows to your will.

[Dano3467]

^^this is interesting Thanks.

[MaHoTex]

I would not re-up your Norton license. Not because it's bad, but because Microsoft Security Essentials combined with Windows Defender, which was built exactly for your OS are FREE. Also, you'll have to uninstall it anyway for the Win10 upgrade to succeed. But don't worry, Microsoft performs a pre-flight on your system prior to the upgrade to make sure it can upgrade it. It'll warn you if there's something standing in the way.

Anyway, in Windows10 Security Essentials and Defender are embedded and turned on by default, but MS combined them and changed it to simply "Windows Defender." For the MS haters who don't want it, as soon as you install a 3rd party antivirus, Windows Defender turns itself off like a gentlemen and bows to your will.

Is Windows Defender any good? How does it compare with something like AVG or Panda? I use those with Malware Bytes (depending upon which PC we are talking about) and if Windows Defender is as good or better, I would just dump the 3rd party anti-virus.

As for the 3rd party Start10 interface, it provides one important thing that the Windows 10 menu does not seem to provide: A categorized menu instead of alphabetical. The moron thought an alphabetical menu was a good idea should be tar and feathered.

[GovGeek]

Is Windows Defender any good? How does it compare with something like AVG or Panda? I use those with Malware Bytes (depending upon which PC we are talking about) and if Windows Defender is as good or better, I would just dump the 3rd party anti-virus.

Do your own research of course, but there's no reason to run 3rd party in my opinion. MS Defender is really good. Microsoft understands it's product very well, and so I trust them for the care and feeding of their OS.

Sent from my pocket computer via Tapatalk

[NYT]

Is Windows Defender any good? How does it compare with something like AVG or Panda? I use those with Malware Bytes (depending upon which PC we are talking about) and if Windows Defender is as good or better, I would just dump the 3rd party anti-virus.

As for the 3rd party Start10 interface, it provides one important thing that the Windows 10 menu does not seem to provide: A categorized menu instead of alphabetical. The moron thought an alphabetical menu was a good idea should be tar and feathered.

windows defender is only good as a backup AV. i usually get rid of it.

you should be paying for AV but if you are set in your mind not to, use avira. its the top rated free AV utility.

if you decide to protect yourself more thoroughly, get bitdefender internet security. i could go into the reasons why, but you would get bored.

[GovGeek]

windows defender is only good as a backup AV. i usually get rid of it.

you should be paying for AV but if you are set in your mind not to, use avira. its the top rated free AV utility.

if you decide to protect yourself more thoroughly, get bitdefender internet security. i could go into the reasons why, but you would get bored.

Please, bore us. Because I disagree with you fully so far. [emoji6]

Sent from my pocket computer via Tapatalk

[Dano3467]

^^^I also would like to be bored, information is king IMO.

[NYT]

op, windows updates primarily fix security flaws in the OS. if these updates are breaking something, you could bet its because whatever software "broke" was using some form of that flaw.

as far as mac vs windows, mac is the simpler system to run and use on a daily basis. if you feel more comfortable paying more, using a less sophisticated system and purchasing lower tier hardware for premium tier pricing, that is your decision. i have a MBP 2015 on my desk right now, i use it primarily for VM Fusion and RHEL VM builds but i dont need it. i have it simply because my company wanted to test whether the MBP would be a suitable replacement for our IS laptops... it is not for a variety of reasons. i dont mind though, i got a $3k laptop for free.

i do buy macs for my mother and grandfather though. my mom is using a macbook air and i bought the big screen imac for my grandfather 3+ years ago. it is a good computer, it just lacks several abilities that i cannot live without.

[NYT]

Please, bore us. Because I disagree with you fully so far. [emoji6]

Sent from my pocket computer via Tapatalk

sure:

1) its malware detection is in the toilet. AV-comparatives tested bitdefender and windows defender against 100 malware families. bitdefender found and defeated 85% compared windows defender which found and defeated 32%.

2) false positives were too prevalent.

3) lacks rootkit or bootkit detection as well as other advanced threats that come disguised as adware or malware.

4) not overly configurable.

5) insane system impact during full scans.

6) lack of support.

win10 performance:


win7 performance:

http://www.tomsitpro.com/articles/windows-8.1-antivirus-solutions,2-686.html

"Free virus protection that is much better off being replaced by a more dedicated offering for the home user."

https://www.antivirustalk.com/windows-defender-review-its-bad/

2.5 stars from the spiceworks community:

https://community.spiceworks.com/reviews/3043-microsoft-windows-defender

and of course, who can forget this one:

http://lifehacker.com/microsoft-admits-that-third-party-antivirus-is-more-eff-1441135677

[NYT]

what all that boils down to is basically this:

there is a reason many AV companies continue to roll out various AV software. there is a reason why IT departments around the world do not rely on windows defender.

[skunkbad]

I'm a Linux guy, but I am the admin of 4 Windows computers, and there's nothing wrong with Windows 7 itself. If you're having problems, the problem is probably the hardware or something you did or did not do.

[Dano3467]

Thanks for the info, will check in more depth to see where my problem lies.

If I'm unable to discover the issues I may have to resort to an IT (& this is likely)

[Iknownot]

I said it in my post above. Most problems with Windows 7 (usually) stems from bloatware installed by manufacturers or 3rd party software.

A completely clean install of windows off of a genuine MS disc or USB boot drive usually clears up issues.

I have had more than one PC from HP that would blue screen or hang up or just generally run crappy that would run 100% with no issues once I put a windows only clean install on the machine with no manufacturer installed programs.

This is true for XP, Vista and 7. I pretty much install a clean copy of windows any time I get a new machine now because of it.

Back up your files. Upgrade to 10, using the Win 10 Upgrade tool that is currently on your win 7 computer. Once your PC updates, you can see if it runs better. Personally, I'd still do a clean install of 10, as you may still have software on you machine that is causing your problems.

You can d/l the win 10 installer directly from MS. Put it on a USB stick and use it to do a completely clean install of 10.

If it works, you've saved yourself some $. If not, go out and get your mac if you are that frustrated with windows.

I've been using 10 for a half a year now and it's running just fine on 3 different machines I have. In fact, I'm getting around to updating my last win 7 machine here shortly. I figure I'll do the update so I can have the option to use 7 or 10.

BTW, since you don't want to spend the time doing these kinds of trouble shooting. Get a program to make a copy of your disc image after you do the clean install of win 10 and let the program update itself fully, but BEFORE you install anything else on the computer. Save the disc image.

That way, if you ever need to nuke your PC again, you can reinstall from the disc image, which will save you loads of time.

Just something to keep in mind.