Windows 10: I'm a long-time Windows 7 user, but just given a laptop with Windows 10. Need easiest tutorial help in mastering version 10.

The Rev

I'm a long-time Windows 7 user, but just given a laptop with Windows 10. Need easiest tutorial help in mastering version 10.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

The Rev wrote:

I'm a long-time Windows 7 user, but just given a laptop with Windows 10. Need easiest tutorial help in mastering version 10.

You can make it look and feel exactly like Windows 7 if you download and install something cold Classic Shell. It does not cost any money and gives you a Windows 7 start menu which is virtually identical to what you're used to. I have used it on all my computers and a number of other people on this site use it as well. While Windows 10 does have a few new features, for the most part once you have the start menu set up to look like Windows 7 there will be little else for you to worry about.

Yodagirl Loc: All Over-Fulltime RV (Originally from NH)

A better term would be "conquering", as it is the most invasive, intrusive and controlling OS MS ever put out. They own it, you do not, and it took me 8 months to get them out of my computer for good. Very frustrating experience. Win7 is a much better system. Search around on the web, there's advice & articles on it everywhere. Start with instructions on turning off all the spyware in the OS itself.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Yodagirl wrote:

A better term would be "conquering", as it is the most invasive, intrusive and controlling OS MS ever put out. They own it, you do not, and it took me 8 months to get them out of my computer for good. Very frustrating experience. Win7 is a much better system. Search around on the web, there's advice & articles on it everywhere. Start with instructions on turning off all the spyware in the OS itself.

I am always amazed by posts like yours. I have 35 years of experience as an IT professional and have used Windows since the first stable version of Windows, which was Windows 3.1. Windows 10 is by far the most stable and fastest version of Windows ever released. It is being used on hundreds of millions of devices worldwide. Like every other operating system ever invented there will be detractors like you, but for most of the rest of us Windows 10 is as good as it gets.

Yodagirl Loc: All Over-Fulltime RV (Originally from NH)

mwsilvers wrote:

I am always amazed by posts like yours. I have 35 years of experience as an IT professional and have used Windows since the first stable version of Windows, which was Windows 3.1. Windows 10 is by far the most stable and fastest version of Windows ever released. It is being used on hundreds of millions of devices worldwide. Like every other operating system ever invented there will be detractors like you, but for most of the rest of us Windows 10 is as good as it gets.

Well, you are an IT professional with 35 years experience. I am an average user, that really struggled with MS's relentless attempts trying to install upgrades that I didn't want and didn't need. Win 95, XP and & were great OS's, but 10 is unlike anything I've ever experienced-they give you no choices but to spend hours trying to figure out how to keep things as they are on my computer-that's all. Every time I'd start this computer, MS would lock it up with a notice that a required "upgrade" was waiting to download, and I was stuck. I am not trying to be a detractor, I am just relaying my experience, which was an extremely time consuming and frustrating experience.

loosecanon Loc: Central Texas

At first I didn't like it. Then I made it look more like 7, and now you couldn't pry it out my hands. It has been fast, system downloads happen invisibly at night, and it's run problem free.

Paul Best. Loc: California desert

I happen to agree with Yodagirl about Windows 10. Maybe for somebody with 35 years of IT profession in your resume, it's exactly perfect. My first computer was a Commodore 64 and I've been through many of Microsoft's latest versions. Windows 10 is the most difficult to use of any of the previous versions. It is not intuitive in any sense of the word and I'm always having to take three or four steps to do what I used to do with one click. And, please, don't get me started on the unwanted advertising.

gerdog

The best thing about Windows 10 is that there are no plans for a Windows 11. Once you get used to it, new features are added in slowly enough so that you hardly notice. It runs very smoothly for me. I also use a Windows 7 and a Windows 8 (yuck) computer. Windows 10 is faster than both, even though specs are virtually identical on all 3 of the computers. Besides, once you get into the program you want to use, the operating system interface makes little difference. All software manufacturers are designing their programs for Windows 10, so it's best to keep up with the current technology. YouTube has lots of easy to follow tutorials on Windows 10 as well. Best to Google each individual feature you want to learn than to jump into posts such as "Top 10 ways to make Windows 10...".

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

The Rev wrote:

I'm a long-time Windows 7 user, but just given a laptop with Windows 10. Need easiest tutorial help in mastering version 10.

Nothing to master really. It works just like Win 7 but better. It's got some things that are a little annoying but I just ignore them. One is this notification bar and the other is the quick menu thing when you press on the start(????) button. I just right clicked on all of them and got rid of them. I just like to find the app I want in the list or I put some on the quick launch bar at the bottom.. Just like Win 7....

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Paul Best. wrote:

I happen to agree with Yodagirl about Windows 10. ... (show quote)

It does not take any longer to do any task on Windows 10 then it did on Windows 7. I'm not sure what you're doing to give you that impression.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

The Rev wrote:

I'm a long-time Windows 7 user, but just given a laptop with Windows 10. Need easiest tutorial help in mastering version 10.

Some arfticles about security when using Win10.

http://www.tomsitpro.com/articles/windows-10-security-settings,1-3665.html
https://www.wired.com/2015/08/windows-10-security-settings-need-know/
https://heimdalsecurity.com/en/windows-10-security-guide/privacy#toc

Kuzano

Classic Shell, the menu system was written and deployed for free on the internet shortly after Windows 8.0. It worked great and still does on Windows 10. It can be configured to give you a classic windows menu in two different flavors, and to boot directly to the Desktop. Someone using Windows 10, but using Classic Shell would have a hard time knowing they were on Windows 10.

Find it here:

http://classicshell.net/

This is the home web site for Classic Shell... the best download site for no Krapware added, and good support.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Yodagirl wrote:

Well, you are an IT professional with 35 years exp... (show quote)

My wife does not have 35 years of IT experience and she uses Windows 10 on her computer at home, her laptop, and at work, and thinks it's the best version of Windows she's ever used. Yes there are a number of updates, but they keep both your operating system and software up to date which is a good thing.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Kuzano wrote:

Classic Shell, the menu system was written and dep... (show quote)

I completely agree. I've been using Classic Shell since Windows 8. I would dare say there are probably hundreds of thousands of other people using it as well. Perhaps many more than that.

Kuzano

Yodagirl, if you are saying you are using Windows 7, you are good on support and downloads until 2020. However, the links to be in control of the invasive and security stuff were already posted here in this thread. Another 35 year veteran of the IT Wars. We're here if you need us, and it's hard to invade your wallet over the internet, if you are suspicious of us.