SORTED :) Windows After XP Sux big time.

[StainlessS]

Far Manager, looks a lot like MC [EDIT: mc in linux] (Midnight Commander) on Linux (one of the first progs I D/L on linux install since the 90's).
Have down'ed it and will give a try.
I gave up on Xplorer2, find the [Pro Only] thing all over the menus somewhat irritating.

FreeManager, may have gotten a mention if it were not "x64 version for donators only", many others to try so that was its death knell.

Explorer++ is very good, but dropped down in my rank only because of 'no longer supported', although people seem to keep trying to fork it with
some kind of failed fork/compilation status. (I took copy of cpp source in case I ever wanna play with it).

What Q-DIR looks like:

https://i.postimg.cc/4Hsg0bGF/Q-Dir.jpg (https://postimg.cc/4Hsg0bGF)

EDIT: The many little boxes above top right pane are the "Panel count /Layout" rapid selection buttons, one of its best features I think,
no messing about resizing and that.

Search Progs,
FileSearchEX, ignored, simply because Win7+ only.

EffectiveFileSearch, down'ed and will give a try. (Watch out, I downloaded it about 20 times before I realized that it had completed successfully every time,
I thought I was having connection problems, but it was downing just so quick-and I was expecting jump to another web page).

SearchMyFiles (From NirSoft, one of their massive collection of utils):- https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/search_my_files.html
Looks like this
https://i.postimg.cc/G9C2QLPL/Search-My-Files.jpg (https://postimg.cc/G9C2QLPL)
Is fast and good, all of his stuff is.

EDIT: I tried out ReactOs latest version, very disappointing, think less stable than previous version.

[johnmeyer]

<snip>Turned out that under XP only files with certain known extensions would be searched for content.

manolitoYou can get WinXP to search for ALL files. There is a tweak to the registry that will do this. If you are interested, I'll go to my lab notes and post it. It will only take you five seconds to fix it.

Thanks for all the useful ideas for other alternatives to the horrible Win7 (and beyond) Explorer.

[manolito]

If you are interested, I'll go to my lab notes and post it.

Yes, please... ;)

[johnmeyer]

Yes, please... ;)To fix XP so it searches through ALL files, change
FilterFilesWithUnknownExtensions in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\ContentIndex. Set it to 1.

[StainlessS]

SearchUnknownExtensions.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\ContentIndex]
"FilterFilesWithUnknownExtensions"=dword:1


To Switch off, copy and rename to eg
DoNot_SearchUnknownExtensions.reg
and replace with
"FilterFilesWithUnknownExtensions"=dword:0

[manolito]

Thanks so much, works beautifully... :D

And of course StainlessS beat me with the REG file... :cool:


Cheers
manolito

[StainlessS]

Some Copier type stuff,


6 Best TeraCopy Alternatives:- https://beebom.com/teracopy-alternatives/
15 Free File Copy Tools Tested for the Fastest Transfer Speeds:- https://www.raymond.cc/blog/12-file-copy-software-tested-for-fastest-transfer-speed/2/
EDIT: above is page 2 of 2.
#################################
TeraCopy:- https://www.codesector.com/teracopy
Wikipedia:- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TeraCopy
v3.26 (Oct 2017, x86 x64)
v2.3 (Last for XP)
# According to some, is bugged on Win10 (June 2018).
Replaces system copier.
#################################
ExtremeCopy Free v2.1.0 (pro $20.00)
x86, x64. (portable available)
Replaces system copier.
Pretty good, Pause and Verify (verify on copy only, not move. Slow over network).
#################################
Fast Copy (one of the fastest available - Installer is also Uninstaller).
https://fastcopy.jp/en/
Nov 2018
Deep Paths
Source available (cpp).
XP->W10, x86 x64
DOES NOT Replace system copier. (Special 'Paste' in context menu, system copy still available, eg TeraCopy, ExtremeCopy or Windows Sys Copy)
#################################
Copy Handler (Nov 2016 - Beta 2017 with mem leak fixed(seems better), development stalled)
https://www.copyhandler.com/
https://sourceforge.net/projects/copyhandler/
Forum:- https://forum.copyhandler.com/
Open Source cpp.
XP->W10
DOES NOT Replace system copier. (Special 'Paste' in context menu, system copy still available)
#################################
UltraCopy (Dec 2018)
https://ultracopier.first-world.info/
Cross Platform
XP->W10, x32, x64.
Install in Win Explorer Only (Not Q-Dir)
Forum, seems not to work or maybe have to login.
Crashed on first time use Win7, give it a miss (at least at the moment, in active development).
#################################


OTHER COPIER STUFF
#################################
RichCopy (Discontinued, Microsoft, In-house copy utility with command line support)
Wikipedia:- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RichCopy
Guide:- http://www.etcwiki.org/wiki/RichCopy_Guide
2009, v4.0.217.0
https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/keithcombs/2009/03/22/richcopy-bulk-file-copy-tool-released-get-it-here/
Weird name download "HoffmanUtilitySpotlight2009_04.exe", is just a self extracting zip.

Command option update:- https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/ken/2009/05/20/command-option-update/
There are some errors in helpfile installed by RichCopy setup program, such as no description of file and directory filtering.
>RichCopy.exe <source path> <destination> <flags>
<n> numbers
<s> string
<t> date/time
RichCopy has a feature to help you generating necessary command parameters.
Switch Basic to Advanced mode from View menu
Change copy setting in property dialog
Change tab to "Other'
You will find command parameters equivalent to what you have configured.
#################################
RoboCopy (Command line) for Windows XP, (Server 2003 Resource Kit)
https://www.microsoft.com/en-za/download/confirmation.aspx?id=17657
Wikipedia:- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robocopy
Builtin for Vista+
#################################
RoboCopy GUI (Microsoft, req Microsoft .NET Framework v2.0[works ok on W7])
XP+, TechRepublic:- https://www.techrepublic.com/article/get-a-gui-for-robocopy-in-windows-xp/
Weird name download:- UtilitySpotlight2006_11.exe, self extracting zip.

Even if you stick with system copier or TeraCopy, FastCopy is a good addition (with pause, verify, shutdown on completion).

I'm guessin' that the RichCopy/RoboCopy stuff could completely replace your backup software.
EDIT: There is Also WinRoboCopy, but I skipped that in favour of the M$ one (latest 2016, Last XP one I found from 2012[cnet]).

[manolito]

Thanks StainlessS for this compilation,,, :thanks:

Personally I was only concerned about getting corrupted files without any error message, so I pretty much switched to Teracopy or the Total Commander internal copy routine.

For Teracopy I should mention that I still use the older version 2.3. Newer versions caused some problems for me, and they do not work under XP. Even version 2.3 has an issue with 7-zip under XP (but not under Win7 64bit using the same 7-zip version).


Cheers
manolito

[manolito]

After the recent catastrophic Win10 update experiences Microsoft now turns its attention to Win7 users... :mad:

The current Jan 2019 update contains two bad errors:
1. Network shares can no longer be accessed under certain conditions.
2. For users in corporate environments the KMS activation was killed, workstation computers now report that their Win7 installation is no longer genuine.

So Win7 users beware...


Cheers
manolito

[StainlessS]

Out of the skillet, & into the pyre :)

[StainlessS]

Bugged KB4480960 & KB4480970 W7 updates,
There is a fix available for the W7 broken network shares thing here:- https://www.ghacks.net/2019/01/09/windows-7-and-server-2008-r2-updates-kb4480970-and-kb4480960-causing-network-issues/

Bugged KB971033 ,
Google links for KMS No longer Genuine Windows 7 feature:- https://www.google.com/search?biw=1920&bih=920&tbs=qdr%3Am&ei=0804XM-JFvef1fAPrN6ROA&q=%22windows+7%22+update+KMS+activation+genuine&oq=%22windows+7%22+update+KMS+activation+genuine&gs_l=psy-ab.3..33i22i29i30.37299.47557..48032...0.0..0.558.893.0j2j5-1......0....2j1..gws-wiz.3HncGQi-ZRs

[johnmeyer]

I've got at least a dozen computers. I have no anti-virus software, and I have updates turned off for everything, most especially Windows. When I find I need an update for Windows, I get that specific KB and install it.

The beauty of this system is that if my computer worked yesterday, it will work just the same today, and tomorrow (barring hardware failure).

I have the C: drive partitioned separately, and after eleven years on this XP computer (still my mainstay), with almost 100 programs installed, that partition is only 13.6 GB. I can back that up in under five minutes, so I back up frequently. If I ever were to get a virus or malware (hasn't happened yet), I could restore the partition in under ten minutes. I know this works because while the bad guys have never screwed up my system, and bad updates have never wrecked it, I manage to do this destruction just fine all on my own, and on a regular basis (well, once or twice a year).

So, especially now that all these "mature" programs and O/S are maintained by junior programmers who have no clue about UI, tight code, bugs, etc., I keep on trucking with the stuff that actually works and, by doing this, am actually able to get a lot of work done, instead of spending every waking hour in the care and feeding of the beast.

[StainlessS]

There are several Kiosk type softwares (every time it boots, is exactly the same as previous time, all modifications rolled back each time [unless made permanent by some means]).
M$ has one called SteadyState [freeware, XP32 amd Vista - Not W7+] ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_SteadyState), I have it but never as yet tried it.
At least one third party alternative Deep Freeze [trialware] ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Freeze_(software) ), I'm sure that there are probably other alternatives.

A decent Firewall is always a pretty good idea, even if you dont use an anti-virus.

EDIT: SteadyState is no longer available, since 2010, but probably available somewhere, (I still got it).

Also, Reboot Restore Rx [freeware]:- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reboot_Restore_Rx

and ToolWiz Time Machine :- http://www.toolwiz.com/lead/toolwiz_time_freeze/

[manolito]

I do agree with johnmeyer, I also got rid of all resident antivirus software (except for Threadfire which is purely based on behavior). My XP partition has never been reinstalled since XP entered the scene, it has lots and lots of software on it, and it's size is still below 10 GB.

Getting security updates even after the MS support ended looked like a good idea, so I installed the POSReady registry hack. It did work until early 2018, after this I got problems with some of my installed software, it was even impossible to reinstall it, so I disabled all updates for WinXP at this point.

As an experiment I attempted a fresh install of WinXP (of course after backing up my old installation). And I was really surprised about how much faster this fresh installation felt. Looks like all these accumulated security updates really slowed down my computer a lot.

For WinXP this case is closed for me, I am not sure how to proceed with Win7. Should I stop updating it even while MS is still providing security updates? The quality of MS updates has certainly deteriorated considerably after the company changed their philosophy and removed a lot of man power and expertise from their OS department. Confused... :confused:


Cheers
manolito

[StainlessS]

Dear Confused,

I habitually re-install XP every 3 to 6 months, (multiple systems from ghost images), I like to keep a virgin setup image with new admin user config type stuff, eg default Red Tiles Wallpaper (From Windows 95 originally maybe),
disable ThumbNails, Show files extension and details, switch off all fancy animated translucent blue menus (appear immediately instead of allowing you to appreciate their majestic sliding effect), ie get rid
of all of the crap. Disable Admin & guest accounts, install SysAdmin tools from server 2003, maybe setup some stuff in GPEdit.msc (Group Policy, eg switch off System Restore & File Indexing),
delete temp files, defrag registry and hard drive, then make ghost Image.

Stage 2, add all recent drivers, + install current updates via Wsus Offline Update (LigH is a main man for that stuff), add some stuff like 7zip, Acrobat Reader + quite a few imperatives.
delete temp files, Defrag harddrive again, and image.

Stage 3, add all changeable apps eg Avisynth, Visual Studio, codecs, + much more (incl system updates via Wsus Offline). Delete temp files, defrag and image.

I usually then just go back and use the Stage 3 image, and update with eg current Avisynth, etc, and re-image (after maybe Wsus offline updates, defrag).

Every now and again, go back and update Stage 2, and also Stage 3 images with any updated apps, eg 7zip, java etc, delete temp files, defrag and re-image.
Also, keep note of any addition imperative apps that you have added/updated, so they can be re-installed to the various stage images.

Updates are occasionally added even now for XP (usually only for windows global stuff, eg DotNet or VS CPP runtimes, rather than XP specific).

Have currently got similar setup for W7 (with an additional total virgin stage 0, I dont have setup ISO for W7, was pre-installed).

Re-installing one of the images takes only a few minutes (except for final stage with Visual Studio etc, takes maybe 10 to 15 minutes with about 10 or 12GB high compressed size).

Methinks one of the slow down reasons for an old instalation is maybe the many superceded hotfixes leaving crap behind, re-target image every 3 to 6 months always feels pretty good to me.

EDIT: Delete TEMP files, & Defrag of hard drive is good idea pre ghosting image (for NTFS, dont matter for FAT32 as both FAT's are created on the fly on image targetting & result is that of being defragged).

EDIT: For both XP and W7, I like to have WinPatrol installed (I actually use an old version from 2012, 24.6), keeps me informed of rubbish added to the Run on startup registry
and Startup folders, also can disable them, eg Java Update, or Acrobat update + many more that starts up rubbish on boot.
https://i.postimg.cc/XBk4Pvsj/Untitled.jpg (https://postimg.cc/XBk4Pvsj)

EDIT: For W10, I now use Macrium Reflect Free Ed, for imaging, pretty nifty and runs fine from USB. (real good idea to image before W10 major update)

[chros]

I've got at least a dozen computers. I have no anti-virus software, and I have updates turned off for everything, most especially Windows. When I find I need an update for Windows, I get that specific KB and install it.

The beauty of this system is that if my computer worked yesterday, it will work just the same today, and tomorrow (barring hardware failure).

I have the C: drive partitioned separately, and after eleven years on this XP computer (still my mainstay), with almost 100 programs installed, that partition is only 13.6 GB. I can back that up in under five minutes, so I back up frequently. If I ever were to get a virus or malware (hasn't happened yet), I could restore the partition in under ten minutes. I know this works because while the bad guys have never screwed up my system, and bad updates have never wrecked it, I manage to do this destruction just fine all on my own, and on a regular basis (well, once or twice a year).

So, especially now that all these "mature" programs and O/S are maintained by junior programmers who have no clue about UI, tight code, bugs, etc., I keep on trucking with the stuff that actually works and, by doing this, am actually able to get a lot of work done, instead of spending every waking hour in the care and feeding of the beast.

Agreed with every single word! :)

For WinXP this case is closed for me, I am not sure how to proceed with Win7. Should I stop updating it even while MS is still providing security updates? The quality of MS updates has certainly deteriorated considerably after the company changed their philosophy and removed a lot of man power and expertise from their OS department. Confused... :confused:

Give Win10 LTSB (!) 1607 a chance ... :)

[StainlessS]

Chros,
I liked 1709 best of the ones since then (1st new updated version since I got it, and where I used Macrium Reflect to do 1st image), is 1607 a better bet, you tried both ?

I believe I can get (download) the original ISO (hopefully is early one and not current).

[chros]

is 1607 a better bet, you tried both ?
I've only tried 1607.

[StainlessS]

Thanx for your answer.
Good idea to image 1607, maybe give others a try and revert if you dont like. (I think I preferred 1709 to previous one, but since then gotten somewhat more gigantic in size).

I believe I can get (download) the original ISO (hopefully is early one and not current).
Actually I did download the ISO, but the x64 one, and Ive got an x86 EFI so would not install (x64 processor, Atom Z3735F, Linx 1010B):- https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=IkQ_XIzQLJCdkwW29ITACg&q=linx+1010B&btnK=Google+Search&oq=linx+1010B&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0l10.1120.3373..3698...0.0..0.187.1328.0j10......0....1..gws-wiz.....0..0i131.K2v0Oj2GFsc
Guess I'll havta down the 32 bit one soon (just incase they surplant it with current version W10 image).
.

EDIT: Keep note of all serial number etc if you do go for reinstall, and defo use Macrium Reflect first.
EDIT: Also, I found that trying to resize partitions caused W10 to be Non authorized version, where I reverted via Macrium, maybe could have just tried to authorize again.

[chros]

Actually I did download the ISO
Do you have a public url for it? Thanks

[StainlessS]

Do you have a public url for it?

This is easy to remember, google "windows 10 media creation tool":- https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=X19AXL26I6jmsAfVjbXwBw&q=windows+10+media+creation+tool&btnK=Google+Search&oq=windows+10+media+creation+tool&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0l10.1383.6581..6877...0.0..0.300.4543.0j27j2j1......0....1..gws-wiz.....0..0i131.JX8ENiPa0p8

EDIT: I believe I saw somewhere in W7 OS a link for similar Media Creation tool for W7, guess I need to get that too (somehwere in the control panel/programs & features merry-go-round, I think).

[wonkey_monkey]

If I ever were to get a virus or malware (hasn't happened yet)

That you know of...

[StainlessS]

About 15 years ago, was talking to a woman who told me that she had been having toubles with her OS [severe slowdown], she got a friend to look at it with Anti-virus s/w, and it showed that she had ~4,500 viruses,
no wonder it had slowed down the OS a tad.

[Groucho2004]

About 15 years ago, was talking to a woman who told me that she had been having toubles with her OS [severe slowdown], she got a friend to look at it with Anti-virus s/w, and it showed that she had ~4,500 viruses
That's because there's no driver's license required to operate a computer.

[StainlessS]

That's because there's no driver's license required to operate a computer.

Well not required, but there is a driver's license for driving a computer [my mother has one, and I aint no spring chicken] :)

https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=F3tAXNykI8-YsAfwz7WYCQ&q=ecdl&btnK=Google+Search&oq=ecdl&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0i131l2j0l8.1625.2646..2958...0.0..0.586.1183.0j2j1j5-1......0....1..gws-wiz.....0.VUuphHDjd0o

http://ecdl.org/


And W7 Media Creation thing:- https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=iHpAXPPEOs3kkgX-17SAAg&q=windows+7+media+creation+tool&btnK=Google+Search&oq=windows+7+media+creation+tool&gs_l=psy-ab.3...68.493..843...0.0..0.0.0.......0....1..gws-wiz.

[StainlessS]

Just came across this link to update Windows 7 for DirectX 11.0 to DirectX 11.1(Installs Platform Update for Windows 7 which was not installed on my system which is only updated via WSus Offline update)
Platform Update for Windows 7:- https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=36805&irgwc=1&OCID=AID681541_aff_7794_1246483&tduid=(ir__o02izfzej0kfrzjokk0sohz30n2xm699rnfxcs6d00)(7794)(1246483)(%28a419bb37a03c464328ae512131f1bba6%29%28266696%29%281503186%29%2868756X1554900Xcb7c1e898bb983427b9a9dd12bee1a0f%29%28%29)(a419bb37a03c464328ae512131f1bba6)&irclickid=_o02izfzej0kfrzjokk0sohz30n2xm699rnfxcs6d00

How to Download and Install DirectX on LifeWire:- https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-download-install-directx-2624489

Have DirectX 11 won't play games, says I need DirectX 9.0c :- https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_other-gaming/have-directx-11-wont-play-games-says-i-need/300f3c23-d2cb-4750-9566-aad125857c8c?msgId=54c69ea7-91a5-4b9a-9a7c-6f2d4b7fe09c&tab=question&status=AllReplies%2CAllReplies%2CAllReplies&page=1

DirectX 9c (June 2010) [several versions of DirectX 9.c, date IS relevant, June 2010 was latest, x86 & x64 in single package]:- https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=34429

[Katie Boundary]

Here are some of the workarounds that I've used when forced to put up with Vistaspawn:

1) Install Classic Shell and set as much stuff as possible to the way things worked in Win 9x

2) If you're in Vista or Win7, a "Classic" theme should be available in your list of themes. This has no functional purpose but will enhance the old-school feel. The Classic theme is not available for Win8 or Win10; you'll have to modify the start button, taskbar color, taskbar opacity, etc. manually to make them look normal.

3) Set taskbar icons to small. This will reduce the taskbar size from double-thickness to normal thickness.

4) Whenever installing a program, remove "Program Files" or "Program Files (x86)" from the installation path. Alternatively, you can disable UAC, then seize ownership of those two folders according to the instructions presented here: https://social.technet.microsoft.com/forums/windows/en-US/3dd0d2f9-5b2f-46df-950f-36887c98369c/give-full-permission-for-the-users-in-program-files-folder this will allow you to edit any file in either of these folders.

5) If you want a certain program to always appear on the "open with..." menu when right-clicking on a file, and Windows is giving you a hard time, you can force certain file type associations in Control Panel -> Default Programs -> "Associate a file type or protocol with a program". There used to be a way to give these associations custom names, like "OpEn iN dGiNdEx yOu wHoRe" or "I have some Notepadding to do!", back when Folder Options had a File Types tab; if anyone can tell me if this is still possible, I'd be grateful.

6) certain problems require restarts to fix, but Win8 and Win10 have this funny thing where all they really do is log you out and then log you back in when you tell them to reboot. This makes those problems harder to fix. You can disable this in Power Options, or in the Classic Shell settings.

7) There's nothing you can do about the lack of support for using animated gifs as wallpapers. Sorry.

8) Downloading or saving directly to C:\ can be re-enabled by lowering the UAC slider to its lowest level

9) When you go to "Sort By...", your normal options might be replaced with ones that you don't want. For example, if a folder has a lot of WAV files in it, Windows will stupidly assume that the folder is for music, and will replace your normal options with Name, #, Title, Contributing Artists, and Album. To fix this, right-click on the folder, select Properties, go to the Customize tab, and set "Optimize this folder for..." to "General". You can also apply this automatically to all sub-folders.

10) If you want to run a 16-bit Windows program in a 64-bit version of windows, you'll need something like Win3mu.

I wish I had figured this crap out a decade ago. It would have saved me a LOT of headaches, a lot of bitching about how much Vista/7/8/10 suck, and a lot of time invested into figuring out how to keep using XP for as long as possible. I've finally, FINALLY gotten Win7 to a state that's about 80% acceptable (I'm still butthurt about the animated wallpapers) and now we're losing Win7 next year. *gives double middle fingers to Microshaft*

[Groucho2004]

I've finally, FINALLY gotten Win7 to a state that's about 80% acceptable (I'm still butthurt about the animated wallpapers) and now we're losing Win7 next year. *gives double middle fingers to Microshaft*
Pretty much the same here (80% sounds about right) although I could not care less about the wallpaper thing, I prefer bland, boring backgrounds. They're less distracting.

As for 'losing' W7 - I'll probably keep using it either until I die or switch to a non-M$ OS. The widely spread scare tactics about lack of security of 'expiring' OSs - obviously initiated by M$ so they can sell their new products and echoed by paranoid and dim-witted internet parrots in blogs and forums - don't bother me at all. I have SP1, 4 or 5 post-SP1 security updates and a properly configured firewall. That suits me just fine.

[manolito]

Amen...

[StainlessS]

The widely spread scare tactics about lack of security of 'expiring' OSs
And fact is, if is insecure now, then was always insecure.

[Asmodian]

And fact is, if is insecure now, then was always insecure.

What an odd way to look at it. While it is true, there is theoretically insecure in the past and then there is being actively exploited today. A vulnerability is a bit more problematic once someone is actively exploiting it.

Win98 ran fine for me, with no issues for years, until a widespread exploit was used by malware that could infect a fresh Win98 install that was connected to the internet in under 10 minutes. After that I remember new installs getting infected before they could download updates so we had to keep them offline until we could patch them. :p

The fact that it was insecure in the past without causing any issues does not mean that patching the vulnerability is unimportant in the present.

[StainlessS]

XP, still does have the very occasional XP update, and updates for CPP runtimes and .NET + other non specific XP stuff. (I occasionally down updates via WSus Offline Updater [v9.24 I think latest XP]),
I however always have problems with the CPP runtimes not installing properley (usually 2010, sometimes 2008 - some kind of conflict), so I update using All-In-One updater, or use the old XP ver$ AIO which deletes
runtimes before install, and then uninstall the updated problematic or updated ones and manual install those. [it is possible that the original AIO updater caused some incomatibility problem which it seems able to reverse].

None of my XP machines now go online, excepting for 1 [INet usually disbabled in Device Manager], which is only a sort of emergency option if need Inet access during machine setup or main machine not working for some reason (look up fixes or whatever), other XP's dont have any access whatever. [Even my main Win7 m/c is disconnected from Inet when not in current use].

The widely spread scare tactics about lack of security of 'expiring' OSs - obviously initiated by M$

Whilst Asmodian is of course correct, I kinda object if M$ is saying that has suddenly become insecure.

EDIT:
My two Win10 Tablet/Laptop thingies [one x86, one x64] seem now both stuck at 1809 with no 1903 update available. Unfortunately, the mouse now on both m/c's takes at least 10 secs
to activate on right click context menu, sometimes more like 30 seconds, and quite often a window flash and instability as it finally does activate, is bloody infuriating that 1809 has screwed
both my m/c's and is being left deliberately as-is. Only solution I see is to get ISO of 1709 (x86 & x64, the least problematic version in my experience) and go back to that less bloated and
more reliable version. Gonna try one last time to see if update to 1903 is available, then go back.
Will also have to permanenlty fix W10 so that it never attempts to down Featured Updates and so stays on 1709.
Registry hack to stop W10 Featured Updates(only):- https://www.kapilarya.com/how-to-block-feature-updates-in-windows-10

I still have a 1709 Macrium Relect image of the x86 W10 m/c and I think 1703 for the x64 m/c.

[jones1913]

My two Win10 Tablet/Laptop thingies [one x86, one x64] seem now both stuck at 1809 with no 1903 update available. Unfortunately, the mouse now on both m/c's takes at least 10 secs
to activate on right click context menu, sometimes more like 30 seconds, and quite often a window flash and instability as it finally does activate, is bloody infuriating that 1809 has screwed
both my m/c's and is being left deliberately as-is. Only solution I see is to get ISO of 1709 (x86 & x64, the least problematic version in my experience) and go back to that less bloated and
more reliable version. Gonna try one last time to see if update to 1903 is available, then go back.
Will also have to permanenlty fix W10 so that it never attempts to down Featured Updates and so stays on 1709.
Registry hack to stop W10 Featured Updates(only):- https://www.kapilarya.com/how-to-block-feature-updates-in-windows-10

I still have a 1709 Macrium Relect image of the x86 W10 m/c and I think 1703 for the x64 m/c.

What a mess, when I read this I am more than happy that I switched to Linux and never looked back.
All these Windows updates and the need for manual search and installation of software updates were so annoying.

My today update on Manjaro-Linux updated 122 packages (system, kernel and applications), took less than 5 minutes (on a low end pc) and not forced me to reboot the pc afterwards. :cool:

[StainlessS]

Apparently M$ aint updating machines to 1903 that dont have recent drivers, that would probably include both tablet/laptops (from different manufacturers),
I'm guessin' that they knew that mouse drivers did not work proper from 1809 and decided just to dump them in the crapper. It is possible maybe that I can
roll back to previous version driver, perhaps I'll try. [A mouse is a mouse, what could possibly be so wrong to cause them damn probs].
Mind you, I also read that similar right click delay can be caused by a rogue app store app, I have I think only 1 app store app on both machines,
a bus countdown type thing, maybe I uninstall and see what happens.

On windows 2000 (still my favourite), if you selected a couple of hundred files to delete, click the button and 2 seconds max, all files where gone.
Windows XP same thing, took maybe 30-40 seconds to do same thing.
W7, starts deleting and says calculating how long it will take, and finishes the deletes (30,40,50 seconds) whilst still calculating [???].
W10, not sure, think much the same as W7.

W7, copy to USB drive, uses awful system caching thing, and then tells you its got 5 seconds left till finish, 5 minutes later, still got 5 seconds left till done, Progress eh.

[stax76]

What a mess, when I read this I am more than happy that I switched to Linux and never looked back.
All these Windows updates and the need for manual search and installation of software updates were so annoying.

My today update on Manjaro-Linux updated 122 packages (system, kernel and applications), took less than 5 minutes (on a low end pc) and not forced me to reboot the pc afterwards. :cool:

I cannot recommend Linux using a 4K/UHD screen because Chrome and Firefox hardware acceleration is not working and very High DPI is broken in all distros except Ubuntu, it's clear to see why Linux is not successful on the desktop.

[StainlessS]

very High DPI is broken in all distros except Ubuntu
So that would (I presume) include eg "Cinnamon Mint" as OK, as is Ubuntu based. [I like Cinnamon Mint, comfortable for ex Windows users].

[stax76]

All distros I tried had a broken task bar, I think I've tried Cinnamon Mint too, only default Ubuntu with left side taskbar was fine.

[Groucho2004]

On windows 2000 (still my favourite), if you selected a couple of hundred files to delete, click the button and 2 seconds max, all files where gone.
Windows XP same thing, took maybe 30-40 seconds to do same thing.
W7, starts deleting and says calculating how long it will take, and finishes the deletes (30,40,50 seconds) whilst still calculating [???].
W10, not sure, think much the same as W7.
The slow deleting has nothing to do with the OS version. Get a proper file manager if you want to get things done quickly. How can anyone (who is aware that there are better alternatives) use that horrid Explorer thing?

[StainlessS]

Yep, you are right. Still got loads of file managers, but went back to earlier image recently, still setting up stuff.
Recently got Lazarus with Free Pascal (Delphi like) lang, think both TotalCommander and DoubleCommander compiled with it.
from earlier post in this thread.
Double Commander:- https://doublecmd.sourceforge.io/
Open Source, very active development (Object Pascal).
Cross Platform, Install and Portable, x86,x64.
Compatible to Total Commander plugins. Double Commander Plugins available(some with source):- https://github.com/doublecmd/doublecmd/wiki/Plugins
Dont like default fonts, but easily changeable.

Lazarus looks really quite good and capable RAD system, gotta get into that someday. [cross platform]
EDIT: I remember LigH mentioning Lazarus some years ago, maybe he's the Pascal/Delphi expert around here.

[Groucho2004]

I went through a few FMs over the years. My first one was Norton Commander in the early 90's which made working on DOS a bit more convenient.

Later on Windows NT4 I tried Total Commander but it's still too 'Windozy' for my taste.

In case you're interested, I have been using this (https://farmanager.com/screenshots.php?l=en) for the last 20+ years.

[StainlessS]

Yep, I grabbed a copy of Far Commander last time you posted on it (a few pages back).
Kinda like Linux Midnight Commander(mc) I think.

[stax76]

I wonder why you guys still use Windows if you think Microsoft is a bad company? I'm pretty satisfied with most MS products.

[Groucho2004]

I wonder why you guys still use Windows if you think Microsoft is a bad company?Various reasons.
I need Windows for (just off of the top of my head, there are more):

Work
Programming
Video stuff (Avisynth, ...)
Photoshop & Adobe Camera Raw
SpectraPlus Spectrum analyser

[jones1913]

I cannot recommend Linux using a 4K/UHD screen because Chrome and Firefox hardware acceleration is not working and very High DPI is broken in all distros except Ubuntu
Yeah HiDPI support might not enabled out of the box for most distros. In Cinnamon its just one setting to enable and almost everything is scaled well.
Exception are some applications based on older gui-toolkits such as GTK2 or QT4. These toolkits have no scaling support integrated because of their age.

it's clear to see why Linux is not successful on the desktop
I wouldn't say that this is THE reason. I think most people are a bit scared when they start a desktop Linux for the first time, because many things are very different compared to windows.
It is quite a bit of work getting used to the Linux workflow and theres much to learn, and not everyone is willing to learn so many new things (or have the time to do so).
Personally I was so annoyed by windows that I just wanted to leave this stuff behind me and switched over to Linux, regardless of its imperfection on desktop.
But I have used Linux already a few years on a low end pc, so I had some experience already.

[stax76]

Yeah HiDPI support might not enabled out of the box for most distros. In Cinnamon its just one setting to enable and almost everything is scaled well.

I found those settings, enabled them, but they were working only partly, the task bar wasn't scaled.

On Linux you have to like the command line, it took me 15 years to finally like it, there are many reasons why I changed my mind, mpv and powershell are some of them.

[ChaosKing]

I whish wine for "apps" would be as good as Proton (dxvk -> DirectX to Vulkan translation layer) is now for Windows games on linux. Would probably switch then completely.

[wonkey_monkey]

I wouldn't say that this is THE reason. I think most people are a bit scared when they start a desktop Linux for the first time, because many things are very different compared to windows.

There's also the fact that, sometimes, things just won't work. I spent god knows how long trying to set up a stable VNC connection to my main desktop on Linux, but it just wouldn't stay up and no-one could tell me why. Then there was (the equivalent of) Cleartype - all the settings were in there, but it just didn't work until I'd followed some arcane set of instructions and installed numerous additional packages.

Linux can be fine under a specific set of requirements, but on Windows you'll never have the frustration of Firefox suddenly failing to load - with no error message - after an update because of a particular Nvidia driver you happen to have installed.

Then there's Dropbox. Google, for their own reasons, recently declared it would no longer work on Linux unless you had an ext4 filesystem, leaving anyone without one to jump through ridiculously complicated hoops if they wanted to keep Dropbox running.

Hardcore Linux users seem to regard these problems as part of the fun, but none of them should be surprised that your average power user is going to stick with Windows.

[StainlessS]

Wonkey [EDIT: quick rename from that which once was] , what did you decide on regarding VNC ?

In the past (I aint got it set up currently), I've used TightVNC on WXP (least problematic that I've found on Wnn, together with dfMirage [some kind of window manager with compression),
and on Linux TigerVNC [apparently by same guys as TightVNC], never had much [if any] in the way of problems with that setup.

[jones1913]

There's also the fact that, sometimes, things just won't work. I spent god knows how long trying to set up a stable VNC connection to my main desktop on Linux, but it just wouldn't stay up and no-one could tell me why. Then there was (the equivalent of) Cleartype - all the settings were in there, but it just didn't work until I'd followed some arcane set of instructions and installed numerous additional packages.

Linux can be fine under a specific set of requirements, but on Windows you'll never have the frustration of Firefox suddenly failing to load - with no error message - after an update because of a particular Nvidia driver you happen to have installed.

Then there's Dropbox. Google, for their own reasons, recently declared it would no longer work on Linux unless you had an ext4 filesystem, leaving anyone without one to jump through ridiculously complicated hoops if they wanted to keep Dropbox running.

Hardcore Linux users seem to regard these problems as part of the fun, but none of them should be surprised that your average power user is going to stick with Windows.
I remember, it can also happen in Windows sometimes, that things just wont work :D. No system is perfect neither Linux nor Windows.
It was not my intention here to pretend Linux is always better than Windows. Everyone can use what works best for him.

[stax76]

I remember, it can also happen in Windows sometimes, that things just wont work :D. No system is perfect neither Linux nor Windows.
It was not my intention here to pretend Linux is always better than Windows. Everyone can use what works best for him.

This is true but I don't remember something significant in Windows or Android, I've only one issue atm. and that is the file open dialog, for instance in mpv.net I use Open > Open File the file open dialog has a tiny size, I have to enlarge it every time before I can use the navigation side bar, it happens with many apps/circumstances but not all, it's quite annoying but not annoying enough that I really want to investigate it, there are some automation scripting apps I don't remember the name (autoit? auto hotkey?) which might be able to fix it (such apps can cause new issues though), maybe I investigate it next time I'm bored.

Musical inspiration for letting go Win 7 in favor of Win 10 (6,50€ at eBay), MacOS or Linux:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kl0YV1SIAEw&list=LLvZIVRqw9aaQgE_3jfrj31Q&index=8&t=0s

What I've started to do is trying not to use or develop anything non portable so in a couple of years I might be able to migrate to Linux or at least use it for some months for educational purpose.