[Joey]

http://money.cnn.com/2015/11/12/technology/microsoft-windows-10-update/index.html OK, so they're not really calling it "SP 1" but if it quacks like a duck... We have 2 PCs at home gimping along on XP. Neither the wife not I do anything that require features not in XP. However, Microsoft stopped patching security holes in XP some time ago. Now that the first big update for windows 10 is out, I plan to replace both machines for one simple but important reason - security. For myself, I plan to stick with some kind of desktop model, but the wife wants a laptop. If anyone has any windows 10 laptop thoughts to share, pro or con, I would sure enjoy hearing them.

[AR]

I've built laptops and towers. I very much enjoy a completely stripped down version 8.1 . If you know what your doing you can get a 2 second start up time to login and working desktop. That was not possible at all with version 10. Another bloated pile of horse dung. XP is fine if you okay with every Russian on the eastern front digging through your pc.

[Slugman]

I thought Windows 7 was the first operating system worth having. It does things like notice new hardware, go get the drivers, and download and install them, all in less than a minute. Windows 8 was a nightmare, I just don't feel like relearning how to use a computer back to square one, for no benefit. Windows 10 allows a 7-like experience. I have been using 10 at work for a while, and I just bought a laptop (yesterday) with 8, and upgraded it to 10 (free). Be aware that the upgrade can take several hours to download, install and configure, but I didn't have to actually do anything, just be patient. If you have been using XP, 10 should be a nice upgrade in functionality, without a large learning curve.

[Randito]

XP is secure enough. For the most part these days succesfull malware attacks involve a component human engineering to trick the user into installing something bogus. Eg. My sister in law' computer would no longer boot, I rebooted in safe mode and uninstalled the four search toolbars and half-dozen other "shopping assistance" programs that had overwhelmed her machine. Don't surf porn, gambling, etc sites and if you hit a web page with flashing warning messages "you've been hacked" don't say yes to any installers.

[NacMacFeegle]

Windows 10 is pretty good, it's certainly miles better than 8! I do however have two huge complaints about 10: #1. The start menu may be back, but the search bar in it is completely useless. It simply is unable to find most anything, and usually you just get results from the web. If I wanted to search the web I'll use google! #2. Updates download and install automatically whether you like it or not, and there is nothing you can do to prevent it. Not only that, but it doesn't give you any notice that updates are being downloaded (bogging down your internet), and doesn't warn you that they are going to be installed in the wee hours of the morning, and will require a restart of the computer. Already I've had it interrupt several downloads and uploads that I had running overnight, requiring me to entirely restart them. All that said, most of the time Windows 10 runs perfectly, and is certainly worth upgrading to from any previous Windows operating system.

[NacMacFeegle]

Regarding security: get a good antivirus program (Panda security is free, lightweight, and effective), as well as Malwarebytes (scan your computer with it regularly). Always make sure when installing new software (especially free software) not to select any optional software that is offered to you. Though they may not be actual viruses, bloatware can be almost as bad and as difficult to get rid of!

[mike]

Microsoft’s Windows 10 is a privacy nightmare.

[Backpacker Joe]

I just bought an MSI laptop that came with 8.1. I upgraded to 10 soon after and like it much better.

[tigermn]

If the computers running XP are old enough they may not even run Windows 10.... or if they do it may run so dog slow it isn't worth it. Computers are so cheap how it isn't funny (at least basic machines). I have some old XP machines just sitting around because they are outdated , and can't be upgraded (not enough memory etc)...

[Sore Feet]

[boot up]

Personal opinion only..... I am running Win10, after battling Win 8 for awhile. as a result, my wife is doing everything she can to keep her old, basic, laptop with win 7 going as long as possible, although its getting marginal. Win 7....ran moderately well, fairly intuitive, and familiar enough to be able to transition from earlier windows seamlessly. Win 8. WTF? The more I used it, the more I hated it. You know its bad when you have to google search how to shut down an operating system. And just try to print something. Finding applications? Maybe if you were lucky. Win 10....Tiny bit easier to navigate, but basically lipstick on a pig. It has us thinking about going Apple...and I thought those words would never come out of my mouth. YMMV

[Randito]

[cdestroyer]

I am still using win98se. it still works and does what it always did. I have no antivirus or antimalware crap on my machines. I have not gotten any for so long I cant even remember the last time I did. Got a question for the person who says they build laptop. Where did you get the case, mobo, wifi,video,sound cards..I have built towers and desktops since I built my first computer which came in a box and I had to solder it together,somewhere back around 1980 I think. As for the others who posted. Do you buy a new car every 6 to 8 months because they have something new in them. Maybe you like the latest cars which as I understand it will no longer have a spare tire in favor of economy. Microsoft et al just loves you people. how else do you think they made billions, they keep selling you new software that for the most part is no better than you already had.

[lostintheforest]

The gf updated her laptop from 8.1 to 10 a little while back. The laptop was a marginal performer with 8.1 and is now a total dog with 10. I'm a Linux person, but have a Win 7 laptop and will not be upgrading it ever. If I were to be buying something new to replace my current laptop, I'd probably be looking at getting a tablet and using my desktop for anything serious.

[tigermn]

Windows 10 to me looks pretty much like Windows 7. You don't have to have all the charm crap. You can actually get a normal looking windows desktop and start menu. With Windows 8.x I had a third party program to restore a normal looking desktop and start menu. It seems reasonable enough so far. Of course I am not trying to use 10 year old computers with it. I dunno then. Any computer I had on Windows 8.1 I'd not walk, but rather run to upgrade to Windows 10. Windows 8 was like Windows ME IMHO. Should have never been released...