Windows 11

[dannyboy]

Because MS are more interested in pushing out new software to maximise profit

But that is what every business is in business for. I run Malwarebytes, but do not use any of the paid for security programmes. I feel that it is a question of these companies saying that their programme is better than others, so buy ours. What I would like to see is a comparison of the likes of AVG, McAfee and the other similar programmes, showing what they do do, that other companies don't do.
But I am taking the thread a bit off topic - sorry.

[guest311]

just checked an apparently my CPU is not supported.

I often wish I'd never updated from XP, it worked, did what I wanted, and didn't keep wanting me to add things.

mind you, I LOVED my black screen with green letters many years ago.

perhaps I'm just a Dinosaur

[RailGooner]

My Windows 10 works fine. Why would I want Windows 11?

(This isn't a rhetorical question. But the MS publicity seems to descend quickly into bells & whistles, rather than a killer reason they can give in two non-technical sentences.)

If your Windows 10 works fine  and provides everything you want/need from an operating system, you wouldn't want Windows 11 (yet!).

If MS security is so good then what is the need for / purpose of software like AVG, Avast or McAfee etc?

Defender (Microsoft's security product) is good - especially the enterprise version - and is good enough for the vast majority of home users. The purpose of AVG, Avast, etc. is to generate income for their owners and they may offer features that Defender doesn't. Their ads will try to scare and bamboozle you in to buying their product. If you don't click on links without thinking and you don't download porn, pirated software/movies/music, etc. you'll be fine sticking with Defender.

[emjaybee]

Because MS are more interested in pushing out new software to maximise profit

But that is what every business is in business for. I run Malwarebytes, but do not use any of the paid for security programmes. I feel that it is a question of these companies saying that their programme is better than others, so buy ours. What I would like to see is a comparison of the likes of AVG, McAfee and the other similar programmes, showing what they do do, that other companies don't do.
But I am taking the thread a bit off topic - sorry.

Yes, but the constant push to upgrade software, and as demonstrated in this thread, the constant, "oo, I'm afraid your system isn't compatible, you'll have to upgrade your pc", means a constant pile of redundant, yet still perfectly functioning pc's getting scrapped and yet more global resources being wasted to line the pockets of MS and the pc manufacturers.

I'd love to be one of the 'tech' billionaire's preaching to the world about how to save the planet AFTER they've lined their pockets with wasteful and dubious business practices. It's a doddle to be 'green' when money's no object.

Quite frankly, the likes of Bezo's and Gates should be taxed back into the stone age, pair of parasitical two-faced scum.

[RailGooner]

The problem for Microsoft, begins as a problem for Intel, AMD, Foxcon, et al. Chip and component manufacturers want to sell product, so they are continually developing their product to make them smaller/faster/more powerful/more secure/more efficient/cheaper/etc.

Now Dell and HP and Lenovo, assemble this years new components in to snazzy new lines of computers. New computers which are lighter/faster/more powerful/etc. But last years Windows can't leverage those new components - this years computer running last year's Windows leaves you feeling unimpressed to say the least!

So, Microsoft release a new version of Windows that has had all the security holes discovered over the life of last year's Windows plugged up and is capable of running all those jazzy new components. You're happy becuse you've got a new shiny computer that boots up 0.27 seconds faster and weighs 0.27 grams less, than last years model.

This isn't just Microsoft and Windows computers. Apple are IMHO worse with the iphone. Car manufacturers don't get ripped in to with the same enthusiasm as Microsoft do! My favourite loaf of bread from last year isn't my fav now because they've messed around with it. And the slippers gifted me last Christmas - the most comfortable I've had in years - need replacing, but I can't find them anymore!

No, this (1st world) "problem" isn't even unique to computers, let alone Microsoft.

[dannyboy]

Some very valid points Mark. 

[emjaybee]

The problem for Microsoft, begins as a problem for Intel, AMD, Foxcon, et al. Chip and component manufacturers want to sell product, so they are continually developing their product to make them smaller/faster/more powerful/more secure/more efficient/cheaper/etc.

Now Dell and HP and Lenovo, assemble this years new components in to snazzy new lines of computers. New computers which are lighter/faster/more powerful/etc. But last years Windows can't leverage those new components - this years computer running last year's Windows leaves you feeling unimpressed to say the least!

So, Microsoft release a new version of Windows that has had all the security holes discovered over the life of last year's Windows plugged up and is capable of running all those jazzy new components. You're happy becuse you've got a new shiny computer that boots up 0.27 seconds faster and weighs 0.27 grams less, than last years model.

This isn't just Microsoft and Windows computers. Apple are IMHO worse with the iphone. Car manufacturers don't get ripped in to with the same enthusiasm as Microsoft do! My favourite loaf of bread from last year isn't my fav now because they've messed around with it. And the slippers gifted me last Christmas - the most comfortable I've had in years - need replacing, but I can't find them anymore!

No, this (1st world) "problem" isn't even unique to computers, let alone Microsoft.

You can repair and maintain a 15 Yr old car. Trying doing that with a 15yr old computer.

There is upcoming regulation to force 'white goods' manufacturers to support products for 10yrs (I think) beyond sale, this thinking needs applying to tech as well. That's where there is huge swathes of waste.

My computer does nothing now that it didn't do 10+ yrs ago.

[RailGooner]

..
My computer does nothing now that it didn't do 10+ yrs ago.

Sorry, but if it's the same hardware running the same software then it is certainly putting your data at greater risk than it was doing a decade ago! And as soon as all those white goods are connected to the internet, their secure lifespan will plummet.

[emjaybee]

..
My computer does nothing now that it didn't do 10+ yrs ago.

Sorry, but if it's the same hardware running the same software then it is certainly putting your data at greater risk than it was doing a decade ago! And as soon as all those white goods are connected to the internet, their secure lifespan will plummet.

My point is, getting the existing tech 'secure' is surely much better for the planet than constantly throwing away 3/4/5 Yr old kit in the name of 'so-called' progress. I refuse to believe you can't secure a 10yr PC from cyber threats. But it's not as profitable as replacing it constantly.

[lil chris]

That 15year old car will soon start costing you money if you want to drive into any major city like London for instance. They have announced new measures to penalise old cars with bad emissions to force you to upgrade your car. That's what it's all about nowadays save you money so they can make money, watch for the next scam coming along replacing gas boilers!

[guest311]

would that be the

'we'll give you £5.000 towards replacing your perfectly serviceable boiler with a £16,000 heat pump'

scam ?

of course, when everyone uses them, I'd assume that there will be less heat available per heat pump, so they won't work so well.

let's see first if the govt will insist on heat pumps in all new build houses rather than boilers, and of course, all housing associations replacing all their boilers with heat pumps.....

ooohhhhhhhhhhhhh
look at that squadron of flying pigs performing perfect aerobatics 

[davidinyork]

Defender (Microsoft's security product) is good - especially the enterprise version - and is good enough for the vast majority of home users. The purpose of AVG, Avast, etc. is to generate income for their owners and they may offer features that Defender doesn't. Their ads will try to scare and bamboozle you in to buying their product. If you don't click on links without thinking and you don't download porn, pirated software/movies/music, etc. you'll be fine sticking with Defender.

Indeed - and none of the other products will remove the risk from running out of support versions of Windows (that's everything before Windows 8 ). Many seem to think that Windows 7 is perfectly safe if they have up to date antivirus installed on it. Nope!

As regards lifespan of computers, Windows up until now has generally been fairly good here - I've got nine and ten year old computers running Windows 10. They aren't the fastest by any means, but they work and are adequate for basic tasks, and the upgrade from Windows 7 was free. Windows 11 is a departure here as the high system requirements are going to render computers obsolete which still have plenty of life in them - it makes a mockery of Microsoft's claims to be 'green'.

[emjaybee]

Current heat pumps are pretty rubbish, and they're not improving particularly fast. I know a number of people who have had them forced on them by buying houses already fitted with them, new properties fitted with them, and one person who retrofitted one after believing the hype.

All regret them. One has removed it and gone oil, two gone electric heating and one has bought a truck load of oil filled radiators so his family doesn't freeze over the winter.

The British climate is too temperate for them to work properly.

If you can, the best solution is ground source heat pumps. They work far better as the subterranean ground temperature is more stable.

[NScaleNotes]

..
My computer does nothing now that it didn't do 10+ yrs ago.

Sorry, but if it's the same hardware running the same software then it is certainly putting your data at greater risk than it was doing a decade ago! And as soon as all those white goods are connected to the internet, their secure lifespan will plummet.

My point is, getting the existing tech 'secure' is surely much better for the planet than constantly throwing away 3/4/5 Yr old kit in the name of 'so-called' progress. I refuse to believe you can't secure a 10yr PC from cyber threats. But it's not as profitable as replacing it constantly.

It's quite possible to keep a 10 year old PC running well, securely and free of charge but it requires some effort on the users part i.e. you need to install and learn how to use Linux and possibly make some changes to the software you use. Although there's nothing stopping you running Windows and any required software as a virtual PC on Linux (I do this so I can use Affinity) and keep that VM disconnected from the Internet to keep it safe.

Linux Mint is excellent, the average Windows user will have no problems learning how to use it.

[woodbury22uk]

Seeing as we are having a moan about big-tech, I'll add my latest gripe about IoS15 which I downloaded to my iPad. The Safari browser has always worked smoothly for me up to IoS14, and I have a well-organised library of Bookmarks which allowed me to navigate smoothly, and open my bookmarks at the point where last used. That functionality continues in IoS15 but only using the screen in portrait mode. In landscape mode the user has to select a sidebar which occupies one third of the screen, select bookmarks, in my case select a folder and a sub-folder and choose the bookmark. After selecting the bookmark, the sidebar remains open and the only way out is by back-tracking through the folder, then the bookmark label, then The Safari label. So for me 7 taps in landscape mode where previously 2 or 3 taps would have been the maximum. Apparently, the issue was flagged up at beta testing but Apple preferred to keep with their original idea which seems to be predicated on the assumption that iPhone users prefer the portrait format. Where do I lodge my claim for RSI, either from all the tapping, or spinning the screen between landscape and portrait and back again to use the convenience of the portrait bookmark behaviour.

Raised the issue with Apple, so do not expect much to change.

Edit: Miraculously fixed in today's update.