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I would have never upgraded from Windows 7. That OS is the best version of Windows ever. Unfortunately the hardware manufacturers have stopped making drivers (e

I would have never upgraded from Windows 7. That OS is the best version of Windows ever. Unfortunately the hardware manufacturers have stopped making drivers (especially for laptops). The good news is such shenanigans are forcing more and more users to move to Linux which has improved so darn much in the recent years (especially Linux Mint) that the experience is far better than Windows. Unfortunately a lot of games and programs like Photoshop still require Windows so I'm stuck with it (play on linux never worked for me), otherwise I would be happily get rid of Widnows forever.

remote_phone 6y ago
I’m still on Windows 7 and probably won’t move off unless my computer dies. I don’t engage in high risk behavior so my chances of getting a virus through web sites is low but I am a little worried about malware through ads. But I would rather risk it than switch
bgorman 6y ago
If you need Photoshop, just use a virtual machine. Virtualbox works great.
poglet 6y ago
Windows 10 LTSC edition has allowed me to avoid most of the Windows 10 issues I read about on HN.
- shp0ngle 6y ago
  It doesn’t have Store though. Store is sometimes very useful, there is software that is only on Store. There are some shady weird scripts to enable Store on LTSC though, I use them
  - tjoff 6y ago
    You have to have a Microsoft account for the store. I've never seen an application being store exclusive, and if I do I will never consider it (I might consider side loading it if it is possible and and the app is outstanding). So sounds like yet another win for LTSC to me. Too bad you can't buy it.
    - 0-_-0 6y ago
      You don't need a Microsoft account, you can just click "Cancel" when it asks you to sign in and it still works :)
      - tjoff 6y ago
        It feel microsoft have changed their minds about this a couple of times, though I haven't tried for a few years now. In all the windows store is unfortunately just an unnecessary dependency because I don't trust I want to use it tomorrow.
  - keb_ 6y ago
    I've been using Windows 10 LTSB and now LTSC for 3 years now. Absolutely, it's not for everyone. But for me, I tend to dislike the kinds of applications that are exclusive to Windows Store anyway.
- 1MachineElf 6y ago
  Just curious, what alternate method did you use (if any) to install Windows Terminal without the MS Windows Store?
  - tjoff 6y ago
    The official github page has installs. It won't update automatically. But if I don't misremember there is less telemetry.
  - keb_ 6y ago
    I use Windows LTSC. I have not used Windows Terminal yet, but I'm fine with Cmder or Conemu so far.
    - deleted 6y ago
      [deleted]
  - 0-_-0 6y ago
    You can use a package manager: https://chocolatey.org/packages/microsoft-windows-terminal/ https://chocolatey.org/packages/microsoft-windows-terminal/ You can also schedule tasks that automatically update your packages
philliphaydon 6y ago
I use Windows for gaming but spend majority of my time in Linux now. Windows 10 is far and beyond better than Windows 7. What I don't get is people complain about nagging to convert to Edge, yet every time I open google related stuff on my phone, I'm nagged for Chrome. On iOS, if you click a link on YouTube, it doesn't open in Safari, or ask to open in Safari, its like "hey, look at this great first option of Chrome which you don't have installed so I'll take you to the app store." For every...single...link. Then on my desktop, every google service I use, "wanna use chrome instead"?
- tjoff 6y ago
  Google are really bad at this yes. People forget the times before Chrome existed where google would sneak in the google-toolbar adware in internet explorer wherever they could (by paying everyone to default include it in other applications installers, among other sketchy avenues). It is amazing that they could uphold the image as the good guys at the time. And apple sneaking in applications on windows when updating quicktime (if I remember correctly). They all suck. But it is even worse to do this on their own desktop operating system. It is another level of insanity that I just don't accept. And it's not like one can throw some money at the problem either, they are just ruining their platform.
  - BuckRogers 6y ago
    I have another take on this. While I normally would agree with those sentiments, I usually don’t mind suggestions when I agree with them. I think Edge is objectively a better choice for most users than Chrome. Better privacy, built for Windows by the folks that build Windows, with all the advantages in power and efficiencies that come with being the only native browser. They’re just getting started but it’s always going to be first class on Windows. Given it also has the underpinnings of the browser with 70% market share, it really has it all. Microsoft in this case, is truly doing their users a service. All this said by a Firefox diehard.
    - tjoff 6y ago
      Suggestions I don't mind, but this is not suggestions, it is ads. More like the telemarketer calling you at the most inappropriate times or pestering your grandparents to trick them into something they don't want nor need. There is no silver lining to this. It is despicable behavior that should not be rewarded.
inetknght 6y ago
I switched to Linux for work six years ago. I switched to Linux for home at the beginning of this year just prior to Windows 7 going EOL. I'm never looking back. For games: the only game that doesn't work is Planetside 2. But everything on Steam works -- if maybe with some massaging. Blizzard's games work. I don't do Photoshop but it seems like "some" versions work alright [0]. Get rid of Windows and seriously try out Linux maybe with Wine. [0] https://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=application&iId=17 https://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=applicatio...
- Fnoord 6y ago
  World of Warcraft works well in Wine. Cursebreaker (or Twitch + Wine) allows to keep addons updated. Easy to set up in Lutris. I got some latency issues though. Input seems OK, its something with video.
lodi 6y ago
> Unfortunately a lot of games and programs like Photoshop still require Windows so I'm stuck with it... This was a growing annoyance I had with Windows: more and more of my computing could be done (and done pleasantly) in Linux, but as long as there existed just one application I couldn't replace and/or emulate, I'd be stuck with using Windows 100% of the time. So this past year I invested some time and money into setting up a Linux-first workstation where Windows lives in a virtual machine with gpu passthrough, usb passthrough, etc. Now I can run games, proprietary applications, VR, etc. without issue and at full speed in the Windows VM, but otherwise stay in the Linux world as much as possible. The results are fantastic now, but it did admittedly take a ton of time to get everything working. Search for 'VFIO' and read through https://www.reddit.com/r/VFIO/ https://www.reddit.com/r/VFIO/ if you're interested in something similar.
- superasn 6y ago
  Thanks for the advice. I didn't even know about this. Definitely worth checking out this weekend. If I can play GTA and run Photoshop using this then it would be great for me!
fomine3 6y ago
These ads and craps on Windows 10 is very annoying but it won't be a deal breaker to use Windows because I can just close it. I still think Windows is the best for desktop experience.
- squarefoot 6y ago
  Indeed users can close it, but by not complaining they're sending MS the message that it's ok to continue that way, possibly adding even more crap. And we already know where it will lead: "pay us $N/year and nags will disappear". In my opinion that would be very far from the best desktop experience.
- tanseydavid 6y ago
  Trying to use WIN10 as developer is made considerably more tedious due to these interruptions from advertisements or "recommendations" to switch from Coke (Chrome) to Pepsi (Edge). Leave me alone to do my work for @#$% sake!
speedgoose 6y ago
Windows 10 is a lot better than windows 7 for me. It runs Linux very well with WSL2, it has good touch screen support. I also prefer its look.
userbinator 6y ago
Unfortunately the hardware manufacturers have stopped making drivers (especially for laptops). I'm not sure if it's been done for Win7, and there's the whole driver-signing mess to deal with, but the community has been writing its own drivers for much older OSs (DOS/3.x/9x). Unfortunately a lot of games and programs like Photoshop still require Windows so I'm stuck with it I've heard WINE is getting pretty good.
- bzzzt 6y ago
  It's been 'getting pretty good' for over 20 years now. If it's not near-perfect now it never will be.

remote_phone 6y ago

I’m still on Windows 7 and probably won’t move off unless my computer dies. I don’t engage in high risk behavior so my chances of getting a virus through web sites is low but I am a little worried about malware through ads. But I would rather risk it than switch

bgorman 6y ago

If you need Photoshop, just use a virtual machine. Virtualbox works great.

poglet 6y ago

Windows 10 LTSC edition has allowed me to avoid most of the Windows 10 issues I read about on HN.

shp0ngle 6y ago
It doesn’t have Store though. Store is sometimes very useful, there is software that is only on Store. There are some shady weird scripts to enable Store on LTSC though, I use them
- tjoff 6y ago
  You have to have a Microsoft account for the store. I've never seen an application being store exclusive, and if I do I will never consider it (I might consider side loading it if it is possible and and the app is outstanding). So sounds like yet another win for LTSC to me. Too bad you can't buy it.
  - 0-_-0 6y ago
    You don't need a Microsoft account, you can just click "Cancel" when it asks you to sign in and it still works :)
    - tjoff 6y ago
      It feel microsoft have changed their minds about this a couple of times, though I haven't tried for a few years now. In all the windows store is unfortunately just an unnecessary dependency because I don't trust I want to use it tomorrow.
- keb_ 6y ago
  I've been using Windows 10 LTSB and now LTSC for 3 years now. Absolutely, it's not for everyone. But for me, I tend to dislike the kinds of applications that are exclusive to Windows Store anyway.
1MachineElf 6y ago
Just curious, what alternate method did you use (if any) to install Windows Terminal without the MS Windows Store?
- tjoff 6y ago
  The official github page has installs. It won't update automatically. But if I don't misremember there is less telemetry.
- keb_ 6y ago
  I use Windows LTSC. I have not used Windows Terminal yet, but I'm fine with Cmder or Conemu so far.
  - deleted 6y ago
    [deleted]
- 0-_-0 6y ago
  You can use a package manager: https://chocolatey.org/packages/microsoft-windows-terminal/ https://chocolatey.org/packages/microsoft-windows-terminal/ You can also schedule tasks that automatically update your packages

philliphaydon 6y ago

I use Windows for gaming but spend majority of my time in Linux now. Windows 10 is far and beyond better than Windows 7. What I don't get is people complain about nagging to convert to Edge, yet every time I open google related stuff on my phone, I'm nagged for Chrome. On iOS, if you click a link on YouTube, it doesn't open in Safari, or ask to open in Safari, its like "hey, look at this great first option of Chrome which you don't have installed so I'll take you to the app store." For every...single...link. Then on my desktop, every google service I use, "wanna use chrome instead"?

tjoff 6y ago
Google are really bad at this yes. People forget the times before Chrome existed where google would sneak in the google-toolbar adware in internet explorer wherever they could (by paying everyone to default include it in other applications installers, among other sketchy avenues). It is amazing that they could uphold the image as the good guys at the time. And apple sneaking in applications on windows when updating quicktime (if I remember correctly). They all suck. But it is even worse to do this on their own desktop operating system. It is another level of insanity that I just don't accept. And it's not like one can throw some money at the problem either, they are just ruining their platform.
- BuckRogers 6y ago
  I have another take on this. While I normally would agree with those sentiments, I usually don’t mind suggestions when I agree with them. I think Edge is objectively a better choice for most users than Chrome. Better privacy, built for Windows by the folks that build Windows, with all the advantages in power and efficiencies that come with being the only native browser. They’re just getting started but it’s always going to be first class on Windows. Given it also has the underpinnings of the browser with 70% market share, it really has it all. Microsoft in this case, is truly doing their users a service. All this said by a Firefox diehard.
  - tjoff 6y ago
    Suggestions I don't mind, but this is not suggestions, it is ads. More like the telemarketer calling you at the most inappropriate times or pestering your grandparents to trick them into something they don't want nor need. There is no silver lining to this. It is despicable behavior that should not be rewarded.

inetknght 6y ago

I switched to Linux for work six years ago. I switched to Linux for home at the beginning of this year just prior to Windows 7 going EOL. I'm never looking back. For games: the only game that doesn't work is Planetside 2. But everything on Steam works -- if maybe with some massaging. Blizzard's games work. I don't do Photoshop but it seems like "some" versions work alright [0]. Get rid of Windows and seriously try out Linux maybe with Wine. [0] https://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=application&iId=17 https://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=applicatio...

Fnoord 6y ago
World of Warcraft works well in Wine. Cursebreaker (or Twitch + Wine) allows to keep addons updated. Easy to set up in Lutris. I got some latency issues though. Input seems OK, its something with video.

lodi 6y ago

> Unfortunately a lot of games and programs like Photoshop still require Windows so I'm stuck with it... This was a growing annoyance I had with Windows: more and more of my computing could be done (and done pleasantly) in Linux, but as long as there existed just one application I couldn't replace and/or emulate, I'd be stuck with using Windows 100% of the time. So this past year I invested some time and money into setting up a Linux-first workstation where Windows lives in a virtual machine with gpu passthrough, usb passthrough, etc. Now I can run games, proprietary applications, VR, etc. without issue and at full speed in the Windows VM, but otherwise stay in the Linux world as much as possible. The results are fantastic now, but it did admittedly take a ton of time to get everything working. Search for 'VFIO' and read through https://www.reddit.com/r/VFIO/ https://www.reddit.com/r/VFIO/ if you're interested in something similar.

superasn 6y ago
Thanks for the advice. I didn't even know about this. Definitely worth checking out this weekend. If I can play GTA and run Photoshop using this then it would be great for me!

fomine3 6y ago

These ads and craps on Windows 10 is very annoying but it won't be a deal breaker to use Windows because I can just close it. I still think Windows is the best for desktop experience.

squarefoot 6y ago
Indeed users can close it, but by not complaining they're sending MS the message that it's ok to continue that way, possibly adding even more crap. And we already know where it will lead: "pay us $N/year and nags will disappear". In my opinion that would be very far from the best desktop experience.
tanseydavid 6y ago
Trying to use WIN10 as developer is made considerably more tedious due to these interruptions from advertisements or "recommendations" to switch from Coke (Chrome) to Pepsi (Edge). Leave me alone to do my work for @#$% sake!

speedgoose 6y ago

Windows 10 is a lot better than windows 7 for me. It runs Linux very well with WSL2, it has good touch screen support. I also prefer its look.

userbinator 6y ago

Unfortunately the hardware manufacturers have stopped making drivers (especially for laptops). I'm not sure if it's been done for Win7, and there's the whole driver-signing mess to deal with, but the community has been writing its own drivers for much older OSs (DOS/3.x/9x). Unfortunately a lot of games and programs like Photoshop still require Windows so I'm stuck with it I've heard WINE is getting pretty good.

bzzzt 6y ago
It's been 'getting pretty good' for over 20 years now. If it's not near-perfect now it never will be.