pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

Me too, not so much as a burp since 7. All to often people get tools that do not use standard interfaces(cheap, free, etc) and then some update comes along and things go hell in handbag. I have 4-5 apps running at all times so I'm not just doing FB. I use supported tools and take every update automatically at 2 am. I used to do support and the problems were so often self inflicted. Windows cant stop one from doing bad things.

rfmaude41 Loc: Lancaster, Texas (DFW area)

Ah, the old punch cards were OK until you (inadvertently) dropped a 2 foot pile of them, and, then it took days or weeks to re-sort them, eh ?

TomV Loc: Annapolis, Maryland

I have multiple computers at home. Several laptops and 2 desktops I built. All running Win 10. Very reliable operation on the desktops and the more recent laptops. The older laptop is slower running Win10 now than when initially updated from Win7. My wife uses that one and hits more advertising/click-bait websites than I thought possible.

I have a dedicated desktop just for my photo work, and that includes surfing to photo-related sites. I have a dedicated desktop for my email and general web surfing. Everything has Avast loaded up. I have not run into performance issues with either, nor any virus/malware issues. Very reliable operation with Win 10 from my experience.

Linux is fine for many things but the photo stuff is extremely limited and I would not go down that path.

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

I agree with WayneT, been using Windows 10 on my ASUS laptop (2 computers) since it came out and haven't had a problem with the automatic Window updates...and agree with him, Driver updates a different story, can create more problems if not on top of it. Good Luck

Jack47 Loc: Ontario

[quote=Bison Bud]I'm just about fed up with the constant and unreliable updates using Windows, not to mention all the spyware and infectious attacks.

I know what you mean. I had an update installed three days ago and immediately had problems. I finally had to un-install the update and now everything is fine.
I have Linux On my desktop and love it. Unfortunately there are not a lot of programs for it. There are those that you can install but the process is complicated especially if you are not computer savvy. Good luck.

Festus Loc: North Dakota

[quote=GalaxyCat]I'm very interested in this also. My HP Envy running Windows 10 and the subscription MS Office is already infected, I think, because it has slowed down to a crawl. Plus, the Photos program is all white sometimes, and I don't know why. I am terrified of losing all my pictures. I don't know why the whole screen becomes white sometimes when I run the Photos program.[/quote

If you don't have "all your pictures backed up", you should be terrified!

Festus Loc: North Dakota

Agree. I have been using Windows 10 on 2 systems as a beta tester. Never had an issue, and I live on the internet. Guess some are just luckier than others.

Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

I don’t mean to pick on the OP here but Windows does not get corrupted or get infected with malware or viruses on its own. Before jumping ship to a different OS you need to take a step back and look at your computer practices and see where your vulnerabilities are. Otherwise you will run into the same problems no matter what the OS is. Good strong virus and malware protection is Critical. Viruses and malware aren’t airborne like the common cold. You have to let them in. Look at your email practices. Those long chain emails you get from friends spread attacks like std’s. Your Browsing history, click bait sites, porn sites, and even Facebook are great carriers. Even this board has been a victim. Shareware and open source programs too. Those free editing programs might be corrupting your OS. By in large Win 10 is a much more stable OS but you need to stay current with the updates. There is no system that is perfect because we add the human element to it. I am not saying not to switch over to Linux. But before you do look at your own computer practices because if you bring those along you are likely to run into the same problems. The thought that only Windows is vulnerable to attacks is a fallacy

JerryOSF Loc: Bristol, VA

Here is a link to Linuxmint Cinnamon Version - http://mirrors.advancedhosters.com/linuxmint/isos/testing/linuxmint-18.3-cinnamon-64bit-beta.iso - Just copy it and use the link to download an ISO image. Burn this image to a CD/DVD. Then boot your computer using this CD. It WILL NOT change anything on your computer at this point but you will be able experience Linux. Unless you click "install" nothing will be changed on your computer. There are many versions on Linux, and multiple versions of "mint" The Cinnamon version is the easiest for Windows users in my opinion. If you have an old unusable computer just boot the CD and install. It will ask some simple questions and complete the install automatically. Cinnamon is very similar to Ubuntu. Don't throw away a perfectly good computer because of a Windows failure! The landfills are already fully stocked. If your computer is old and has a 32 bit cpu you may need to download the 32 bit version. Any questions - I am glad to help. jbgosney@gmail.com

Festus Loc: North Dakota

Perfectly stated. It's like the old saying, "I want a MAC because it doesn't have virus problems". If you were a hacker, what would you hack? A system that has 90% of the market, or one that has 10%. As MCC sales have increased so has the number of MAC hackers.

dmagett Loc: Albuquerque NM/Sedona AZ

I am also a computer tech. I have worked with most versions of windows (not Vista, Beta tested 8 and 8.1 then trashed),Linux Ubuntu, and Mac's.
Windows has been the most problematic. My latest episode is with win 10 fall creators update. I will not install on a Dell laptop. Dell says it is supported for this update!!. Microsoft's answer is to reinstall everything...no way in hell!! I am back to Win 7 on that PC.

alfeng Loc: Out where the West commences ...

Without reading all the replies (so, this might be an echo) ...

YOU can restore your WIN8-or-WIN10 (and, probably some earlier versions) to "factory specs" with a few key strokes ...

You'll have to look up the how-to process ...

It's painless EXCEPT for needing to re-install your OTHER software ...

BTW. Under your particular circumstances, you'll probably want to revert to a "factory spec" computer whether-or-not you install LINUX on it.

Good luck!

bobbyjohn Loc: Dallas, TX

I work in the Deskside Support group for a large corporation, and support the 3 biggies, Windows, Linux, and Apple, and have worked on hundreds/thousands of such machines over the past 17 years. The company has forced a certain group of workers into using Linux OS as their jobs are more sensitive than the rest of the company, and yes, LINUX has less of the malware problems as does Windows. My guess is that the virus writers of the world put their efforts into an OS that has perhaps 90% of the world market, and that's Windows.

However, when speaking with my users who come in for service, the vast majority of LINUX users would be overjoyed to switch back to Windows if the company allowed that. The learning curve for LINUX is high, the GUI is quite different, the commands are archaic, YUM, LS, CP, etc., and the typical comment I get from my users is: "I need a machine that will allow me to do my job, and that would be Windows." The same holds true for home computers, and photographic enthusiasts. So think twice before you commit to LINUX.

riderxlx Loc: DFW area Texas

Hello,
I have been reading these posts for some time now and the knowledge very helpful. I have never replied or commented before but I feel like now is a good time since I have been through what you are going through.
I am a computer tech. in a major hospital system so I have seen about everything from before Windows and MAC hit the scene.
I have used Linux and find it easy and stable to use.
Here are comments on my experiences:
I bought a used box from the outlet store a.ka.a ,(bone yard), which sells refurb's puters and such. I paid 40.00 bucks. I added my hard drive and an extra stick of ram. I installed Linux, the Ubutu version I downloaded. Also you can get a free disk from the Linux magazine from the book store, B&Nobles etc. These mags have some good info to get you started with. A very cheap way to check out a system and hey, I used it to download movies and watch movies without all the spam, pop-ups and crap you get from Windows.
On your Windows system, OH BOY !!!! WELL lots and lots of good comments and they are all good too.
One thing you can do is set up the Windows restore or recovery point. If it takes a dump or gets infected or just messed up. You can restore it back to a previous restore point in time. Either one day back or one week. You can set this up . This has saved my booty lots of times. I also use USB flash drives and an external SSD HD to back up and save EVERYTHING on.
Create a USB recovery stick just in case the HD craps out, you can even clone your HD to another HD as a copy back up.
These options are less expensive if not at all.

Now the comments on the MACs.
These guys are also right too.
Many many pro's and just duffers prefer the MACs because of the reason you read here.
MAC's are know for doing very good for Photo editing work.
MAC products are all top shelf hardware because the build the whole thing.
Pricey, yes.
But you get what you pay for.
At home, while just laying back and browsing, I use an iPad pro almost exclusively.
I am considering getting an MAC Book also before retiring in the next month or so.

Both systems are not bullet proof.
I think your Windows system 'may' need some clean up and maintenance. If you bought it from a store then it is probably loaded down with bloat-ware. This is crap that is installed by the maker, HP , etc.
I install Windows from a disk on a clean HD and install only what I need and want.
I do not have new computers. I buy mine used and install my stuff clean.
If you do not want to work with you computer this way, take it to a reputable shop and have them 'service it' or clean it up.
Either way I think you will come out with a better working system.
Whew ! this is a lot of typing.
good luck,
b

riderxlx Loc: DFW area Texas

Well spoken bobbyjohn.
I forgot to mention in my long post that Linux does have these drawbacks and it also looks and feels more like MAC OS.
That is why I mentioned if he can get a cheap used box and try it on that or even virtual mode.
I like having two boxes so as not the wreck the main Windows 10 box, Linux is very expendable on the junk box.