PK Official Poll Time Again, How about this for a change.

Two days ago I got a big update for the Win 10 on my laptop. It took long time to install, so probably almost everything was updated.

After the update I suddenly noticed a new icon in the system tray meaning that my location was being shared. I never permitted that, but it seems this feature is default on. I wonder what other "Big Brother" features are active per default?

I have not done it yet, but I am almost sure that I will go back to Win 7.

BTW do you remember the old joke: Q: "Which Windows version is the best?" A: "The previous one"

PeterBJ said:

After the update I suddenly noticed a new icon in the system tray meaning that my location was being shared. I never permitted that, but it seems this feature is default on. I wonder what other "Big Brother" features are active per default?

Click to expand...

Microsoft's data collection with Win 10 is a step in the wrong direction for privacy. But there are settings changes you can do to regain a measure of privacy. I used the following search on Google to find info and instructions: https://www.google.com/search?q=win...e=utf-8&oe=utf-8#q=win+10+information+sharing

Thanks PeterBJ, I've switched it off.

Installed Win 10 64 bit today on my 6 years old Dell Inspiron 545, upgraded to the max (Q9400 Quad, 8GB, 2x2Tb 7200 rpm disks).
The quad core speeds Lightroom up a lot (and heats a lot more too).
C: disk is a hybrid SSD.
As with Win 8.1, it boots in less than 30 sec, 5-10 after hibernation.
Seems speeds are about the same as Win 8.1, only the new Edge browser is much faster.

I was considering a SSD disk for the LR catalog and previews, but I think it won't add much to the speed, most of the load is calculation.
Also the last 2GB was a bit overkill, never saw all of 6GB in use before.
Will stop throwing money to this machine now, I am satisfied with the result.

palombian said:

Thanks PeterBJ, I've switched it off.

Click to expand...

That was one attack on your privacy defeated. There might be ten more to deal with.

I recommend reading some of the hits from @stratman 's Google search, or from a similar search in your own language. Even if you have no problems with reading English, Microsoft's translations are not always what you would expect.

It might also be a very good idea to log on to your computer using a local account in stead of a Microsoft account. Never mind that you loose some features, like cloud storage, app store etc. by doing that.

Realised that I had to upgrade one machine to Windows 10 after all so one of my machines is a Win10 x64 now.

The way it handles Printers is beyond comprehension though... Pretty cover, zero functionality springs to mind.

@websnail, don’t leaves us all hanging, we can take it, what happened or didn’t happen.. ?

Reading about the problems installing printers under Windows 10 made me do a test. I installed an HP and a Canon printer on my laptop.

I had to start the install with a mouse click, apart from this the install was very much plug and play, and for the HP printer I was offered a download from the app store. The Canon printer was recognised but offered no apps from the store. I tested both printers and they seemed fully functional. See this screen shot:

Yes it's a "free" update to Win 10. But Microsoft will probably make a big revenue on this update. I don't see that Win 10 gives any extra functionality compared to Win 7. The problem is that the support for Win 7 will end. On most of my computers I have a dual boot with Linux that I prefer to use for regular use browsing etc. The problem for me is that I need Windows for some programs and drivers. I have installed Win 10 on one computer that has a touch sensitive screen (a Dell tablet with keyboard and mouse) but inactivated as many Microsoft spy programs as possible and of course Bing.

I don't know what to do on my other computers a laptop with all my important programs and a stationary computer with the same important programs directly connected to my printer. On these two computers there is no extra necessary functionality using Win 10 compared to using Win 7. I do have a dual boot on these computers with Linux. Microsoft will end the support for Win 7 and if I buy a new printer for example there may not be drivers for Win 7. On the other hand when the support ends for Win 7 the computers may also be outdated and it is maybe not possible to get Win 7 to work on new hardware.

So what to do? I think that in any case we are locked in on Windows and what Microoft want to force on us to use unless we give up and use free software such as Linux all the time. I hope Linux will catch up so I an use it all the time and that program vendors will find it as an alternative!

Edit: I think Microsoft are forced to use less spy programs here in Europe as less seem to be activated by default. But there are still too many and you have not to make an express install and then go through the settings and inactivate as many as possible but I think that there still are back doors!

Per

It looks like Canon supplies Linux drivers for their newer printers. See this post.

Canon has no Linux driver for the Canon PIXMA PRO-10S for example but it may be possible to find a driver (Turboprint has a driver and there may be other backported Linux drivers). As long as the vendors only make drivers and programs for Windows and Mac you are locked in to these systems with their spy programs. I have invested in some programs for example Capture One and a printing program that I want to use. I will stay with Win 7 as long as Microsoft supports it for printing but use Linux for everyday work. It will take a long time until Win 10 has full support for existing hardware. The free upgrade is not worth it in my opinion. At least wait as long as possible to make the "free" upgrade.

Per