Computer operating systems

[CitroJim]

If it comes to it, 'Massgrave' might prove useful, Jim. It provides an..... 'alternative' way to install such things

If it all goes wrong, that's where my laptops may end up...

I'm rather resistant to binning two perfectly good laptops if I can avoid it...

[xantia_v6]

I saw the update in microsfts support pages. I will likewise try an upgrade of my old PC when I get the new FCF server installation out of the way.

[mickthemaverick]

My mind is a bit befuddled on this but am I right in thinking that Windows of any version will happily run forever as long as the pc is not allowed onlne. Ie my old windows xp pc running my own software will be fine as long as it stays discreet and allowing for possible hardware failures?

[MattBLancs]

Yes, that's my understanding Mick, I'm planning to keep my (Windows 7) Diagbox machine in this "isolated" state for as long as possible

[CitroJim]

Yes, that's my understanding Mick, I'm planning to keep my (Windows 7) Diagbox machine in this "isolated" state for as long as possible

My understanding too and what I already do with my Diagbox...

No OS of any flavour will suddenly stop working and it's likely many will continue to use Win 10 for long after the official end of support.

I saw the update in microsfts support pages. I will likewise try an upgrade of my old PC when I get the new FCF server installation out of the way.

It'll be good to compare notes Mike

[moizeau]

I have 2 Win7 machines. They are fine as long as you tell it not to look for and install Microsoft updates. One other issue is as OS becomes older certain 3rd party software also stops supporting updates such as Chrome. The 'puter I'm typing this on is one I built 15 odd years ago, it has a AMD Phenom X4 965 CPU which, though power hungry, was top end in the day. The other, a laptop that I was given originally had Vista on it. It is now my Diagbox machine and runs Win7. It also is fine, I just turn the wifi off when using Diagbox. Both run unlicenced copies of Win7. I used to have a hack to allow updates but since their support stopped I told them not to look for updates. I will have to move on at some point but for the moment they'll stay in service.

[bobins]

For 'longlife' Windows OS - have a look for the LTSC installs.... Long Term Service Channel.
'Massgrave' refers to a handy utility that allows Win 11 to run on non Win 11 machines..... although it may have other functionality.......

[Sloppysod]

For 'longlife' Windows OS - have a look for the LTSC installs.... Long Term Service Channel.
'Massgrave' refers to a handy utility that allows Win 11 to run on non Win 11 machines..... although it may have other functionality.......

Hmm..........I running Windows 11 Pro on a Non Windows 11 machine, using a Microsoft Genuine ISO. (2016 Office). Bought a Activation code from Ebay a few years ago.

• My first attempt was a clean install using Winutil application, but found it a little bit "not to my Liking" either too many "tweaks" or I didn't fully understand what was happening or just a bit of both

• My Current installation - and the one I will keep, I installed using Rufus, again using a Microsoft Genuine ISO. This installer turn off the things Microsoft want you to have, and the motherboard compatibility checks. Once in stalled I installed explorerpatcher to change the desktop to be the same as Windows 10 and a remove the unwanted "Bloatware". I had issues with the explorerpatcher and uninstalled it and all changes I made remained.

• I have been running my current installation for over a month had many updates, system & Security

[GiveMeABreak]

There's a bit of a suggestion going around that Microsoft have relented and are now allowing Windows 11 to be installed fairly legitimately on unsupported hardware...

Allegedly they are aware that it's possible anyway and have accepted that many will when Windows 10 goes out of support next year rather than buy new hardware...

https://www.techspot.com/news/105894-mi ... orted.html

I have an SSD on order and will experiment with installing Windows 11 on one of my unsupported laptops. I'll advise how successful this might be in due course...

It can be quite tricky - many of the methods will work on one version, but not on the next release. Even using server installations have now been patched by MS. They keep plugging and patching to prevent people circumventing the requirements. I had some success earlier in the year, but went back to W10 as I hated W11 and it caused some file management issues that were not acceptable to me.

Struck with W10 until a few later versions of W11 came out and these would not install on the same system. Got to about 39% and then rebooted and aborted. Other things to consider are the Boot methods being used (MBR / UEFI) and what options are being used for the third party boot media to install it on for example.

It's all a messy affair to be honest and in my case now as it stands, I did manage to get W11 installed again, but did require a clean installation, which is a right royal pain.

Well it will get me a few more years of updates until I get round to building a new rig in a few years.

[CitroJim]

Thanks for that Marc, all good information! this is precisely why I've splashed £20 on an additional SSD so I can experiment and play without upsetting my current very stable install of W10...

There's opinion doing the rounds that for the average home user who mainly uses the web it's not so much of a concern to keep the OS patched as it is your favourite flavour of browser as this is where the biggest risks lie. So, as long as the likes of Firepox and Chrome continue to be updated and new versions continue to run under W10 then all should be good. Just what I've heard, I'm not savvy enough to comment one way or another but would be interested in any views on this topic.

It might be interesting to know if Windows Defender will continue to be updated once W10 goes out of support?

[mickthemaverick]

I don't know what all the fuss is about, my man Stan came round today and in 3 hours he had replaced 13 windows and left everything in perfect working order!!

[CitroJim]

I don't know what all the fuss is about, my man Stan came round today and in 3 hours he had replaced 13 windows and left everything in perfect working order!!

I had my windows upgraded a year or so ago... Now much less draughty and warmer

[mickthemaverick]

Not wishing to corrupt this thread my reply is destined for the DIY with Function over Finesse thread!!

[Hell Razor5543]

Thanks for that Marc, all good information! this is precisely why I've splashed £20 on an additional SSD so I can experiment and play without upsetting my current very stable install of W10...

There's opinion doing the rounds that for the average home user who mainly uses the web it's not so much of a concern to keep the OS patched as it is your favourite flavour of browser as this is where the biggest risks lie. So, as long as the likes of Firepox and Chrome continue to be updated and new versions continue to run under W10 then all should be good. Just what I've heard, I'm not savvy enough to comment one way or another but would be interested in any views on this topic.

It might be interesting to know if Windows Defender will continue to be updated once W10 goes out of support?

I don't see why not (unless Micro$oft decide to limit Defender updates to W11), as I have a notebook computer with W7 and Defender is up-to-date.

[CitroJim]

Thanks, that's good to know James