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Windows Monopoly

I had to buy a new lap top after many years of using the one I bought with Windows Explorer as the operating system. I wanted to give my wife my old lap top, went to get it fixed, and found out the problem I was having with it is that Windows doesn't support Explorer any more, so I wasn't getting any security updates and it bogged down to the point where it was useless eventually. He put in another operating system. My new laptop has Windows 8 and it's a huge PIA especially compared to the old Explorer. Many people I've talked to agree with this. I have sidebar menus popping up, zooming in and out when I move the cursor, an inability to open multiple windows, etc. I'm not a "computer guy" so part of this is probably my ineptness with computers, but a lot of it isn't. What a total cash grab this is, forcing consumers to "upgrade" from one system to another for no practical reason then for them to make huge profits! I owned this new laptop for a month and it became badly infected without me opening any suspicious links, just from day to day operations. This became apparent when I spent extensive time with reps from Samsung trying to download drivers for a printer I got from them, when they finally told me to phone Windows support. I did, they remotely analyzed my computer, told me it was indeed infected, and then proceeded to offer me different packages to fix it. I never had any difficulties of this nature after years of using the old Explorer system - one month with Windows 8 and this happens! Can't help but wonder if this was another way of engineering another cash grab from Windows. Fortunately, my son is a highly skilled IT guy who was able to fix it. There hasn't been any problem since (probably 6 - 8 months now). When I told Windows support that I had a relative that would look at it, and "no thanks" to their packages, the hard sell began and they went from $200 for the fix to $50! What a racket!
 
I love how you admit to being "inept" with computers, then claim that the new OS is just a "cash grab" and has "no pratical reason" for happening. I won't even begin to waste my time explaining why the new OS is necessary and why the old one absolutely needs to die, as the vast majority of the reasons are likely to not click with you. Oh well.
Windows XP would still work, though yes, you're vulernable to attacks from a huge amount of vectors. But, if you'd practice safe internet use (which you obviously don't), then a lot of it could be mitigated for a short amount of time.

Quick tip: "Windows Explorer" is not an operating system. Explorer is part of the OS, and is still very much a part of 8.1 ;)
 
Yes, it's obvious that you are not a "computer guy". You seem to be confused as to what is an operating system. "Windows Explorer" is not an operating system. I'm assuming that you are talking about XP. "Windows" (Microsoft really) is not forcing you to buy anything. Your XP machine should work as it always has, Microsoft is just not releasing security updates and bug fixes. Using it however will make you more vulnerable to malware and virus.
Evidently, you believe that you should have free lifetime support. They have supported XP for 13 years, it's time for them to move along.
 
if you're a desktop user without a touch screen, the new Metro interface can suck more vacuum than interstellar space. check out this article and learn how you can utilize the refinements of Win8 with an interface that's more familiar and a tad more mouse/keyboard friendly


How to eradicate Metro from your Windows 8.1 PC

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For the record, I am quite biased against a touch screen type interface. a great majority of my computer interactions are in a dusty shop environment where repeated 'caressing' of a touchscreen would significantly reduce the display quality with wear. and need I mention that the monitor is placed on a swivel mount out of the way where objects like bass bodies and necks can't accidentally crash into it ... yes, it is difficult to reach the monitor while running a CNC

buh-bye Metro - you may be OK for my surf time at Starbucks, but you're totally inappropriate for use in an industrial environment
 
There is a de-facto Monopoly but it isn't mandatory. Unless you're much into gaming (even this may soon change with Steam OS), there are alternatives.
You can download and install the system of your choice, many of them are free. On an old laptop I'd recommend Lubuntu.
 
I agree with you OP. I hate Windows 8. The first thing I did when I bought my laptop was figure out how to make it look like normal windows. I also experience the problem of stuff randomly opening and sidebars randomly popping up. I managed to stop the programs from randomly opening but that damn sidebar gets me from time to time.
 
Microsoft went above and beyond to continue supporting XP long after it was discontinued. Do you really expect them to provide security updates for XP in perpetuity? Nobody does that. Every OS eventually gets "retired" and the updates come to an end.
 
I am annoyed at how hard it is to get a laptop without Windows. I don't want it, I'll install Linux, and even if I wanted Windows I'd much rather buy it off the shelf than get it for free but bogged down in bloatware, OEM spam, and with no clean installation disk.