Microsoft Windows 10

[Tommy T.]

I just got a message from Microsoft that they were going to stop supporting Windows 10 in October next year. It also noted that my computer - this laptop - would not support Windows 11. So, in effect, Microsoft is forcing me to either open up to scams or other problems or go buy a new computer. I used to like Microsoft, but my feelings have steadily become more negative as I don't like to be forced into new hardware - and software costs - so they can make their big profits.

Sorry, that was my mini-rant for today...

After reading this and thinking about it, I am not done with my rant...

I remembered now that my local bank - PNB - forced me to stop using online banking with my computer and switch to using Mobile Banking with my cell phone. As I age, I find some of these changes to become more difficult for me to adapt to. One of my insurance companies did the same thing and a credit card bank I use has been nudging me in that direction also. I really don't like these trends. Young kids coming up with new ideas that justify their jobs and make changes just, seemingly, for change's sake?

The longer I think about it, the more issues come to mind...

L, who is a high school teacher, is at whit's end because DepEd, in their infinite bureaucratic wisdom, has come up with new curriculums for the teachers to learn, the week before classes started - today! DepEd supplies no materials, just describes what must be taught and how it should be taught, including using different and new words and descriptions for these various concepts. They have also added class teaching loads because they added new classes. So all the previous "lesson plans," that teachers worked out last year, are now mostly worthless and need to be re-done. Same idea as I stated above - change for change's sake. Yet the poor kids still hardly learn anything.

Edited July 29 by Tommy T.

[spaul]

I feel your pain about the computers and the banks. I stopped using Windows a few years ago when the same thing happened forcing me to upgrade from Windows 8 to 10. I have an IT background so I just replaced my operating system with Ubuntu (Linux). Has a very similar look and feel to Windows and will save you having to replace your hardware. Very user friendly install process and best of all it's free.

Downside is you would lose any Windows software you purchased but there is a lot of Open Source software out there which is just as good that essentially does the same thing. There is a learning curve but not any different than would be with Windows 11.

As for the banks, my on-line bank in Canada will be forcing Two-Factor authorization soon and can only use CAN/US cell phone numbers. So I have had to move all my banking over to Wise. Wise does the same 2FA but can use my Philippine cell number and they only ask for it if I log in from another device.

They are forcing more and more people to use their cell phones. I think it's wrong. BDO is trying to do the same thing but I am still able to access their on-line banking for now. I am personally tired of all the information these cell phones have now about everything we do. I like my privacy.

Edited July 29 by spaul

[hk blues]

25 minutes ago, spaul said:

I feel your pain about the computers and the banks. I stopped using Windows a few years ago when the same thing happened forcing me to upgrade from Windows 8 to 10. I have an IT background so I just replaced my operating system with Ubuntu (Linux). Has a very similar look and feel to Windows and will save you having to replace your hardware. Very user friendly install process and best of all it's free.

Downside is you would lose any Windows software you purchased but there is a lot of Open Source software out there which is just as good that essentially does the same thing. There is a learning curve but not any different than would be with Windows 11.

As for the banks, my on-line bank in Canada will be forcing Two-Factor authorization soon and can only use CAN/US cell phone numbers. So I have had to move all my banking over to Wise. Wise does the same 2FA but can use my Philippine cell number and they only ask for it if I log in from another device.

They are forcing more and more people to use their cell phones. I think it's wrong. BDO is trying to do the same thing but I am still able to access their on-line banking for now. I am personally tired of all the information these cell phones have now about everything we do. I like my privacy.

Wouldn't it be a brave move for someone to drop Windows and move to a non-MS OS?  Putting the cost aside, the move to Windows 11 from 10 was very easy and I don't recall any problems using 11 and I'm far from IT literate. 

As for banks, I have just resolved a headache with my UK (offshore) bank which doesn't like overseas numbers although it does accept them in theory.  Luckily they also allow email 2FA but even that was not without pain but we got there.  Bear in mind this is an offshore bank specifically aimed at ex-pats like us. 

 

 

[graham59]

I feel your pain on such matters also, O.P.

However, all need not be lost. Lots of good advice from the YouTubers (including workarounds, where your device is supposedly not good enough for Win11).

I have a feeling that Microsoft will extend further the life expectancy of Win10 anyway, but you can of course run more than one operating system on most devices...e.g, Windows AND a Linux 'distro'.

This guy is pretty good at explaining things... https://www.youtube.com/@Britec09

.

Here's another I've subscribed to:  https://www.youtube.com/@CyberCPU

Some operating systems (mostly Linux-based) can be just downloaded to a USB, and used from that, without installing on to your device. 

I have two laptops. One is from 2006, and this one I'm using right now (a rather nice Dell XPS 17) is from 2011. I have no plans to replace either until they are ABSOLUTELY dead ! lol. 

Edited July 29 by graham59

[Jollygoodfellow]

Just because Windows 10 end of support does not mean it wont work or be any problem. Dont worry about it untill the day comes that you need a new computer. My hardrive failed just last week. Lost everything and had to go to Windows 11 but find it pretty much the same as 10. 

[BrettGC]

Windows 10 may not be supported after the date but your anti-virus still will be - that's assuming you run something other than the built in Windows Defender.  A semi-decent anti-virus should keep you covered.  

World Remit recently forced everyone to mobile, and yep, it's annoying.  Even more annoying is they're now randomly requiring TFA, we don't get phone reception here, but that's a me problem. And no, Skype to phone, Google phone etc do not work with Aussie numbers.  

And yeah @Tommy T., a married couple related to us (SiL's sister and husband) are also high school teachers and they were less than happy.  

[Mike J]

Agree with @BrettGC, use another defender, many on the market.  Also agree about PINTA of two factor ID while living in the Philippines.  But I also understand from the banks point of view as they typically eat the expense if your account/credit card is hacked.

[Tommy T.]

1 hour ago, BrettGC said:

Windows 10 may not be supported after the date but your anti-virus still will be - that's assuming you run something other than the built in Windows Defender.  A semi-decent anti-virus should keep you covered.  

World Remit recently forced everyone to mobile, and yep, it's annoying.  Even more annoying is they're now randomly requiring TFA, we don't get phone reception here, but that's a me problem. And no, Skype to phone, Google phone etc do not work with Aussie numbers.  

And yeah @Tommy T., a married couple related to us (SiL's sister and husband) are also high school teachers and they were less than happy.  

I currently have Kaspersky anti-virus and have had no problems with it. But they are now out-lawed by US government. I received an e-mail from the so-called distributor of Kaspersky and other anti-virus that purports to change my system over to another. I don't trust this e-mail, even though it quoted my name and Kaspersky order number. It all expires around the end of September so I will need to switch by then. You are correct that Windows 10 has a decent anti-virus built in, but with the demise of Windows 10, I assume the anti-virus goes away also.

[Tommy T.]

15 hours ago, spaul said:

I have an IT background so I just replaced my operating system with Ubuntu (Linux). Has a very similar look and feel to Windows and will save you having to replace your hardware. Very user friendly install process and best of all it's free.

If I decide to switch to Linux, will my data, cache, passwords, files still be saved and available? So many things I have on this laptop that I don't want to lose. Of course I have back-ups, but it is such a hassle to switch to new hardware or operating systems. I have some IT background, but not nearly as extensive as yours seems to be. But, with advancing age, these changes are more difficult for me to maneuver through and around. 

[BrettGC]

1 hour ago, Tommy T. said:

I currently have Kaspersky anti-virus and have had no problems with it. But they are now out-lawed by US government. I received an e-mail from the so-called distributor of Kaspersky and other anti-virus that purports to change my system over to another. I don't trust this e-mail, even though it quoted my name and Kaspersky order number. It all expires around the end of September so I will need to switch by then. You are correct that Windows 10 has a decent anti-virus built in, but with the demise of Windows 10, I assume the anti-virus goes away also.

I like Bit Defender in lieu of Kapersky.  Around the same price and does all the same things.  Another option is Surf Shark firewall as it has a very well reviewed anti-virus included on one the the purchase tiers but still relatively cheap compared to other options.  I just avoid Norton; yes it's a great AV but it's also a major system hog particularly on older computers.