Quote:
Originally Posted by dickloraine
I don't understand why regular updated are considered a bad thing from so many?
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And at least my windows 7 does not reboot automatically but asked to be rebooted.
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Many people are not technically savvy enough to tweak Windows so the updates only prompt and not update automatically.
Another large group of people use Windows in corporate environment and they are not allowed to even change a desktop wallpaper, let alone more dangerous settings like messing with the updates. So when their corporate-installed OS and antivirus start doing their thing they, can only helplessly watch as the deadline for submitting the document they are working on now is approaching, or watch in horror when their computer suddenly becomes very slow during important presentation.
Another feature that I very strongly dislike: my notebook does an automatic update during the day - for various reasons, including company policies, I have it configured to update automatically. At the end of the workday I am in a hurry and I need to switch off the notebook and take it with me. I click quickly on the shutdown button and see message: "Please do not switch off your computer during the update. Installing update number 1 of 37." I know that it says on the power off button that it is going to do the update and that there are a few tricks how switch the computer off without the update, but when you are in a hurry and when this situation occurs only in-frequently you do not always pay attention.
Another thing that made updates un-popular: In the distant past, when hard disks were relatively small we used to make 20GB C: partition for XP and the rest of disk was D: for documents. 20GB was plenty of space for OS and applications *and* reserve for future. After a decade of automatic updates you need at very least 30GB. Lots of people with old computers are forced to seek help of computer technician or a knowledgeable family member. It is not possible to install XP that includes the latest SP on such a computer. The license that is tied to that ancient notebook is for the oldest version of XP. So you install that and then spend next couple of days installing updates and watching in horror how system becomes slower and the disk is filling with cryptic files used for patch installation that you can't delete.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ralph Sir Edward
Example, WIndows 7 no longer supported 16 bit Legacy applications. A clear design choice made by Microsoft. So?
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In windows 7 Pro there is possibility to install virtual machine from Microsoft with mimimalistic XP that lets you run legacy apps. It even provides you with a legal license for the XP inside the virtual machine. And programs installed in that virtual machine can be seamlessly integrated into your W7 desktop.
For even older programs (like really old bookkeeping software written in ancient versions of FoxPro that you have to keep for tax audits) there is DosBox. It runs under Windows, Linux, OSx.
There are quite a few virtual machines that you do not have to pay for.