Consider carefully before you take the leap
Published on December 28, 2021 By Daiwa In Personal Computing

This was the subject of a reply of mine to Tatiora's October post on Windows 11 Updates that I think merits a separate thread.

I've been advised by my tech support company to not install Windows 11 under any circumstances.  A major reason for that is that I (and my office network) deal with protected health information and Windows 11 is not only not HIPAA compliant but opens your computer to all kinds of background third party access.  MS has decided to go the way of Facebook and make you the product which they will sell as the primary method of sustaining their business.  The 'upgrade' may be free but orders of magnitude more intrusive, mostly silently of course (the fine print applies when you click Agree).

Windows 11, per my tech, also is a major step toward forcing all your application purchases and subscriptions into the Microsoft Store, a la Apple.  They are steadily making it harder & harder to install anything from outside their controlled ecosystem.  They actually trialed this approach with a version of Windows 10 called Windows 10S.  I learned of this when we purchased a Surface which turned out to have that OS for a dedicated purpose servicing a biometric device early this year.  Initially I thought the "S" meant a version specific to the Surface but it turns out the "S" means Store, as in Microsoft Store.  Our tech had to force an install of a regular version of Windows 10 before the software for the biometric device could be installed (it obviously wasn't available on the Microsoft Store).  There were also incompatible drivers for things like our network printers & Bluetooth devices.  The latter issues are probably cleaned up a bit in Windows 11, but beware.

A good example of where this will likely lead is the recent behavior of Adobe regarding Adobe Acrobat Reader DC which is the subject of another post here.  They already have the ability to reach into your computer uninvited and steal paid-for software from you.

Enjoy the brave new world of computing and Happy New Year!


Comments (Page 13)
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on Feb 20, 2022

xewafa3865

they are a conspiratorial community all those who are there for a long time cheer each other up and rate their skins with very good ratings  people who do not belong are badly rated, mobbed and banned that is for many here their life content for 20 years and that is why there is no  possibility to participate or get tolerance as  a new member

Not true, however it's such anti-community sentiment that can see people have a short tenure.

When people know others [well] for 20+ years they are likely to "cheer each other up" as all friends should do.

To "belong" to any community it's not just about fitting in with whom-ever is already there but also not berating who is there simply because they have a history and you do not - yet.

What may be perceived as a 'clique' is simply a group of people who have come to know each other - well.

 

You can never know what may or may not transpire within any community.  I was 'banned' from one Facebook group [about bicycles] simply because I contributed too much to the discussion and the Admin seemingly got bored.  I had violated no rules...hadn't insulted anyone...wasn't a troll...just wrong person wrong place wrong time...

on Feb 20, 2022

PhoenixRising1


Quoting RedneckDude,

I need to read ahead before posting....     



Random question. How did you end up with 5 dots below your screen name. I have been trying to figure out this whole dot system and can't quite figure it out

Someone felt sorry for me and promoted me.

 

LOL...JK.  Lots of forum presence, being helpful, And just not being an asshole got me promoted, because I damn sure didn't get it for skinning prowess or tact. 

It also helped being involved in community projects, which aren't abundant these days.  I, for one, would love to see that return.

on Feb 20, 2022

PhoenixRising1

Thanks Jafo, valuable information and will help to know who talking to some 😎

Hey, Phoenix Rising1, just to flesh out Jafo's reply, take a peek here: https://forums.wincustomize.com/312082/page/1/#replies

xewafa3865

they are a conspiratorial community all those who are there for a long time cheer each other up and rate their skins with very good ratings  people who do not belong are badly rated, mobbed and banned that is for many here their life content for 20 years and that is why there is no  possibility to participate or get tolerance as  a new member

We really aren't like that. Over time, we've come to know each other as we will with you. I understand English isn't your native language, so there's a lot of room for misunderstanding or because of long friendships here feeling excluded. We aren't excluding you. Never. Everyone's thoughts and feelings deserve consideration...especially the new folks who are (justifiably) feeling bewildered. 

If I can help you with anything, please feel free to private message me here (sorry for the explanation if you already know this):

 

on Feb 20, 2022


Not true, however it's such anti-community sentiment that can see people have a short tenure.

When people know others [well] for 20+ years they are likely to "cheer each other up" as all friends should do.

To "belong" to any community it's not just about fitting in with whom-ever is already there but also not berating who is there simply because they have a history and you do not - yet.

What may be perceived as a 'clique' is simply a group of people who have come to know each other - well.
  

To illustrate. I have been to the homes of several members of this community.  Some of whom are no longer above ground.

 

I have had long phone conversations with several members of this community. 

 

I have even been graciously helped financially by several members of this community, and I reciprocated.

My best friend in the world I met via this community, and I stuck with him to his death. Visited him in Illinois when he was dying of cancer, and I lived in Tennessee.

I am on Skype daily with 5 members of this community.

 It will serve all new members well to try to settle into a community atmosphere, because that is what this is.  (WinCustomize)   

 

 

on Feb 20, 2022

DrJBHL

Hey, Phoenix Rising1, just to flesh out Jafo's reply, take a peek here: https://forums.wincustomize.com/312082/page/1/#replies

 

Ah, Zoomba, there is a name I have missed seeing.

on Feb 20, 2022

Post Topic:

WINDOWS 11

on Feb 20, 2022

On that note, does anyone know anything about the "Roll out" for European countries ?   

-Here in Sweden it hasn't been introduced yet.

on Feb 20, 2022

neone6

Question:

-Seen this app mentioned quite a Few times now... "startallback" -Does it show the skinned startmenue like Start 10/11 ?? If not...

Are people stupid?   

-Why use Windowblinds without one of the Main design-areas showing?

neone6 do you mean this, on one of my SSD set ups i use Win 11 and the start menu is skinned and i am using Startallback too, as this is a Win 10 theme that has been updated for Win 11 using UltraUXTheme Patcher, i have this theme on a Win 10 SSD too.

 

on Feb 20, 2022

PhoenixRising1


Quoting neone6,

Question:

-Seen this app mentioned quite a Few times now... "startallback" -Does it show the skinned startmenue like Start 10/11 ?? If not...

Are people stupid?   

-Why use Windowblinds without one of the Main design-areas showing?



People actually use the programs startisback and explorerpatcher only because they want never combined tabs on Windows 11. That was both programs main draw early on. As a bonus, explorerpatcher also got Windowblinds 10 working on Windows 11.

As far as skinning goes, start 10 / 11 are the tools for WindowBlinds. A different skinning program uxthemepatcher uses startisback exclusively as their tool for Windows 11. A very different approach then stardock and if you read the conversation between myself and Jafo in the windowblinds 11 planning thread it makes sense not to rely on another third party software for your own third party software.

Honestly, I do not like startisback that much as it is showing its age. Once start 11 version 1.2 comes out I think everyone will forget its existence

I am using Both StartallBack which is updated for Win 11, and on another SSD Startisback which works best for Windows 10 mate.

Have found my first major glitch which i can not say if it is just me or others as of yet, UXTheme patcher gives me a black screen after applying and re booting, first one after untold hours playing with these but UltraUXTHeme Patcher works just fine, hope this helps anyone trying it

on Feb 20, 2022

naroon1

neone6 do you mean this
No as Wincustomize is All about WindowBlinds when it comes to skinning Windows.

-Wincustomize general position is that using Uxpatcher, Msstyles etc. is "hacking" the OS.

(I think Neil Banfield said this)

-I have a notion that I have read somewhere before of people using "Startisback" with WindowBlinds for some (to me) completely unfathomable reason since Start 10/11 exists and SKINS the start menue... hence my post earlier.   

on Feb 20, 2022

PhoenixRising1


Quoting DrJBHL,

install W11 Pro, you'll need a MS account



How dumb,

1. A good thing I have Home edition.

2. The wording seems ambiguous, does this mean you have to have an account to set up. But afterwards can still turn off and un-hook the live account once setup is complete or does it always have to be signed in? 

Either way it is a trend in the wrong direction

I use Windows 11 Enterprise as i found it more stable, this too when installing Win11 asks for a MS account, but i click Join a domain instead and it allows the continuation of the install, then when it's finished i make my user account Full Administrator, can this not be done on other editions of Win11. (not sure as i have used Enterprise for a while now).

on Feb 20, 2022

neone6

Does it show the skinned startmenue like Start 10/11

Sorry as i thought your question was "Does it show the skinned startmenue like Start 10/11 " when using StartallBack, which i am sure it does, as my start menu is skinned. I know a lot of the members do not like the type of hacks to the OS using UX and Ultra UX Theme Patcher and i understand why you and others as  Wincustomize skinners do not like or approve of it's use. It is not something for a newbie as unlike Windowblinds, it does carry a risk and i will say this to others who try it, "This is not for Newbies or Users of little IT Know How, i have been around the block so am far from a newbie.

I like to keep all my options open considering the wait for a working WB11, and have Stardock to thank for that, now i have a better PC System with 4 SSDs multibooting with both Win10 and WB10, Win11 with a working WB10, and two more Win 11 and Win 10 SSDs for messing about with or Hacking so to speak using your words.

Thankyou Stardock for making me wait, i have expanded my Customize Horizons 10 fold, but will still be buying yours and Vamps Master skins as you too are closest to my Style.  

on Feb 20, 2022

Jafo.

As you seem to be the top man here using Virtual Systems ( i have done in the past but not for a while) i have a question for you.

As a virtual set up is like a program running on a normal Windows machine, and something you have to allocate resources (Ram, Space etc). Can you fully get the feel for an OS as it will have limitations (ie not running with the full resources of your Master PC).

Like i said, i have not done this in a while and maybe the issue was with me and a much older machine. Expand my horizons please.

on Feb 20, 2022

I have tried uxthemepatcher and I really did want to like it. However, it seems to have a strict policy that requires the use of startallback to work. If I was able to get uxthemepatcher to work with explorerpatcher I would probably view it more favorably. My position is that start 11 is a way better start menu program over startallback and I feel like I am sliding backwards if I am forced to use startallback.

Using Windows 11, I actually do not really have a desire to use the windows 7 themed start menu anymore. I prefer the newer windows 10 / 11 themes. Even when I use windowblinds 10 on Windows 11 I still find myself still preferring the newer themes even though they are not skinnable. This is why I really hope windowblinds 11 skins these newer start menu themes. They better suite Windows 11 imo.

I am not saying uxthemepatcher is all bad. It is probably a nice distraction because it is what is available now. But, I think skinning can be a lot better once windowblinds 11 comes out and will feel more natural to windows 11

on Feb 20, 2022

naroon1

Like i said, i have not done this in a while and maybe the issue was with me and a much older machine. Expand my horizons please.

I got into VMWare and VirtualBox as ways of keeping in touch with some older systems so I could still get all historical with early skinning...ie Litestep, etc.

When I did I had probably at the time the most powerful non-server class PC money could buy....[though it cost a lot of money - Over 10K AUD].  It was back when a GTX 980 ruled the roost...and M.2 drives had just been released...along with DDR4.  This was at a time when the system [Win 7] had to be coerced into booting into a M.2 as both that and DDR4 wasn't yet recognized by MS's current OS.

So when the average machine thought they were good with 8 GIG of DDR3 I was running 32 GIG of 4 in 2 slots in a MoBo that could handle 4.

All that said, I often had several VMs running at the same time, apportioning as much ram as I liked.  The only downside [mostly] was with VM graphics acceleration....though that has improved over the years.

I did this machine about the same time Frogboy did something virtually identical...but since then he's had a few more systems...and I'm still on the same one....only difference is the GPU is updated now on mine.

Bottom line is....other than gaming, a modern VM on a good system is actually superior to what was available when you used to run that OS on contemporary hardware. [who needs a Pentium anyway]...

I also have an emulator somewhere for the Csirac Computer [the only complete first generation computer in existence] tho it doesn't do a lot...

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