Windows 10 Grrrrr!

[Cockney Sparrow]

The computer magazines have tracked Microsoft's increasingly high handed attempts to force Windows 10 on PC users.

I've also seen reference to the program Never 10

https://www.grc.com/never10.htm

Which will fend off Microsoft. It seems Windows 10 puts Microsoft charge of one's computer, or as much of it as they decide. As I have no reason to believe Apple is any more benign, it looks as though I'll have to head for Linux (heaven help me) when they stop supporting Win 7 (which I think is 2020 for security updates).

[Frances_iom]

The fact that it’s a good operating system is being lost in the negative reaction to confiscating people’s ability to choose.

but the fact that it is very difficult for the non-geek, (most geeks turned to Linux years ago) to turn off the intense tracking that MS have included has not been lost - they also want to sell a service rather than software as well as tracking your web behaviour - tho Google is just as bad - possibly worse as they are hypocrites re 'do no evil'

[Bryn]

... it’s a good operating system ...

I must admit, that's how I have come to view it, and though I have not as yet bothered to make such modifications, it is quite possible to slim it down after installation. Various 'geek' sites will guide the way, should you wish to remove some of its bells and whistles. I certainly find it a vast improvement on Widows 8.1. However, as mentioned elsewhere, I still maintain one old laptop with XP as its OS in order to run Audio DVD Creator, and another still had Windows 7. Come to that, I have a desktop PC in the loft with 98SE on it, just in case I should ever want to make use of my old Psion Wavefinder DAB tuner again.

[Dave2002]

It seems Windows 10 puts Microsoft charge of one's computer, or as much of it as they decide. As I have no reason to believe Apple is any more benign, it looks as though I'll have to head for Linux (heaven help me) when they stop supporting Win 7 (which I think is 2020 for security updates).

The pages about Never10 are interesting. There may be some aspects of Win 10 which are OK or good, but some concerns about MS having effective control and monitoring are interesting. Some people won't care or worry, but others may be really upset. Apple are perhaps also untrustworthy. The assumption that everyone will choose the supposed convenience of having all their data available almost everywhere has serious consequences, and it should be possible to ensure that users have full control over this. I suspect this is not always the case.
E4
Has Microsoft moved towards that? Data available everywhere (and also multi device working - devices with data "seamlessly" passed from one to another) enables not only tracking users' activities, but also their physical locations. There are just so many ways that this presents problems. Further, even if it is possible to turn features on or off (which is questionable) how are users to know that the features really are disabled? Assurances that users will not be tracked may simply be that - assurances with no substance i.e. Lies. I"m not saying that everything stated by providers of services is not to be trusted, but basically - "how can we know?".

[Anastasius]

.... Assurances that users will not be tracked may simply be that - assurances with no substance i.e. Lies. I"m not saying that everything stated by providers of services is not to be trusted, but basically - "how can we know?".

Best not connect to the internet in that case

[remdataram]

Stardock 'Start 10' software gives you control of Windows 10 appearance - you can easily make Windows 10 look and function like Windows 7.
It costs $4.99 as a one off payment. I've used it on six different PC's/Laptops without a hitch.
Link: https://www.stardock.com/products/start10/
Windows 10 Forums is a great website for help in overcoming many problems in Windows 10:

http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/

[Dave2002]

Best not connect to the internet in that case

As long as some very secure sites continue to do that we should all be safe enough.