Worth moving to Win 10?

Not sure if this should go in general, but posting here.

I'm still on Win 7 and am loathe to move to win10, but am experiencing driver and some app issues that are no longer supported. I'm also pondering moving to Linux, but would have to create a dual boot to accommodate some programs.

My problem with win 10 (aside from some needed app compatibility) is the privacy issues.

Have privacy conscious users developed ways to circumvent the privacy issues in win 10? Any other considerations I should be pondering?

From the little I've read about win 11, I think I'll pass.

Yes, this is pretty broad, but I'm at the beginning of the process...getting proper info, so I'm not sure exactly what questions I should be asking.

Thanks for any help.

msalton1 said:

Not sure if this should go in general, but posting here.

I'm still on Win 7 and am loathe to move to win10, but am experiencing driver and some app issues that are no longer supported. I'm also pondering moving to Linux, but would have to create a dual boot to accommodate some programs.

My problem with win 10 (aside from some needed app compatibility) is the privacy issues.

Have privacy conscious users developed ways to circumvent the privacy issues in win 10? Any other considerations I should be pondering?

From the little I've read about win 11, I think I'll pass.

Yes, this is pretty broad, but I'm at the beginning of the process...getting proper info, so I'm not sure exactly what questions I should be asking.

Thanks for any help.

The only way to keep yourself private is to stop using the Internet, get rid of your phone, and pay cash for everything. Otherwise join the real world and enjoy it.

People have complained about privacy with Windows since Windows XP. People still complain about that with Windows 10 and 11. If you want Windows 10 you can upgrade to it for free if you have you are using an activated copy of Windows 7.

If you decide to upgrade to Windows 10 make sure you back up your computer first. That way if there is a problem you can restore your computer. Also, you can do the same if you change your mind and want to go back to Windows 7.

If you know how and have enough free space you can resize your drive and use the free space to make a temporary install for Windows 10. When done you will have a dual-boot of Windows 7 and 10. You can try out Windows 10 to see if you like it. When done trying it you can delete the partition and reclaim the space. Then you make a more informed decision of whether you want to upgrade to Windows 10.

I ran a dual-boot of Windows and Linux from about 1997 to about 2010. It is enough to keep up with Windows so I eventually removed Linux because I didn't have the time to keep up with changes with it.

Hello and thanks for your comments. I suppose I should have been clearer. I understand that nowadays, privacy violation is a fact of life.

So, to re-phrase the question:

What can I do to limit/reduce the private data exodus in windows 10?

Any apps that do the job (I see that Shut Up no longer works)? Any workarounds? I can run through the settings and do what I can, but any good primers on settings that might not be obvious?

Anything I can do to help batten down the hatches. I may just end up dual booting between win 7 and Linux for this machine.

@idgat - good suggestions re: imaging programs. I've been using them since the early 2000's, starting with Norton Ghost, moved on to Acronis and now am using the paid version of Macrium, which I consider to be the best of the bunch. I schedule 3 system & data drive images per week and run a manual image whenever I make changes to the system drive.

Again, thanks for y'all's comments.

Stop using the Internet and any device basically. Microsoft could care less about what you are doing and what you have on your machine. The only data they are gathering is the OS, hardware, any third party software conflicts. That is all they want to know. Third party developers can gather more info if they wish by using the Chocolate Bar affect in gathering your private info and there is only you to stop it.

What steep learning curve? Linox (most versions anyway) are no harder than windows. The folder structure is different, and partition are named differently. But other than that it is just like windows. So don't try to keep spreading that old tired lie. Before you talk about it, try it.

The only solution I seem to be getting here is "don't worry about it" and" MS doesn't care about your personal data", but I think we all know that's not true. We all know that cell phones, windows, mac. Big Tech, SM, internet advertisers...they're all collecting our data. Do we really believe that it's for our benefit, or that they aren't benefiting from our data? Of course they are.

I think we've come to a point where too many have just given into the party line of these profiteers.

Am I to understand that unless one goes completely off the grid, there's no recourse other than to let our defenses down and let them have at it? No. There are solutions out there to be found.

I'm not trying to be rude, guys. I think y'all's help in these forums is invaluable, but I'd like to point out that I haven't yet received one answer to my question. Not one (unless I missed it?). The consensus seems to be that if I'm concerned about data collection, I should just stay off of the internet or just 'let it be'. I've been into computing since '93 and know that there are answers, even if it means just moving over to Linux.

The only helpful comment here was RobbyK's accurate comment regarding Linux.

Again, I'm not trying to be rude, and I'm very appreciative of the help y'all provide here, but 'staying off the internet' as the only viable answer isn't helpful at all, nor accurate. That being the case, I'm off to find some actual help.

I won't be marking this thread as solved.

I wish y'all well.