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Windows 10 - Quick Question


system 4-50

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I use a Mac for most things but I have encountered a need for several things that run native (not emulated) Windows and I also want to run the Webasto WTT monitoring tool. All these things run without using the internet.  Can anybody tell me if, when I buy a cheap laptop with Win 10 Home edition on it, I can run it standalone for years without it shouting at me that I need to connect to the internet to load its mandatory updates from time to time?

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For your needs you could maybe get a Windows tablet like the Surface Go, its a really nice device but not cheap.

Windows will nag at you for updates but I am not aware of any PC stopping working due to lack of updates.

 

The update process can be slow but it mostly works moderately well so you could always take the device to a pub once in a while.

 

...............Dave

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9 minutes ago, Coelum Ruat said:

Will it even know there are updates to be had, if it never goes online?

I think that it will nag you to go online to validate the installation code. After a period of time (a few days) it will offer you the option of phoning an automated system to validate it, which is a pretty easy and simple operation. If you don’t validate the installation it will still work but will regularly nag you to do so, and various personalisation options (screen colour etc) will be unavailable. 
 

Obviously you’ll get no security updates but as you’re not online you won’t require them anyway. 

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19 minutes ago, Coelum Ruat said:

Will it even know there are updates to be had, if it never goes online?

Possibily yes, because it could know that updates are produced regularly. 

 

I hate the update system because it leaves me in the position of having bought something that the manufacturer can change into something else without a by-your-leave.

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But presumably you will be transferring data between these Windows apps and your other computer(s). In which case there must be scope for viruses, malware etc to be introduced accidentally to the Windows machine. Better to be connected and get all the security updates.

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18 minutes ago, David Mack said:

But presumably you will be transferring data between these Windows apps and your other computer(s). In which case there must be scope for viruses, malware etc to be introduced accidentally to the Windows machine

OTT imho.

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Automatic updates are seriously bad news. They are frequent so don't get the comprehensive testing that a new windows version would. On several occasions they have "broken" software that I have written causing me loads of trouble. They are also used to provide unwanted Microsoft Advertising.

 

Sadly they are here to stay so we just need to learn to live with them.

 

I recently spent a week writing "workarounds" for the crap microsoft on-screen keyboard,  and then the latest update sort of fixed it making my mods counter-productive.

 

...............Dave

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1 hour ago, system 4-50 said:

I use a Mac for most things but I have encountered a need for several things that run native (not emulated) Windows and I also want to run the Webasto WTT monitoring tool. All these things run without using the internet.  Can anybody tell me if, when I buy a cheap laptop with Win 10 Home edition on it, I can run it standalone for years without it shouting at me that I need to connect to the internet to load its mandatory updates from time to time?

yes you can, once a few weeks you can update them in a pub or cafe where wifi is free. if you have a tv, you can just get a cheap desktop/mini pc or stick for £100 ish.

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You could do what I do and run a copy of Windows 8. Assuming that the software is compatible and doesn't need 10.  You might ee be able to use XP?

 

I picked up a CD off EBay and ditched W10. I use Linux but like you I need a Windows for a couple of programs.

 

Just be sure it has the registration number with it!

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Make sure it has at least 64 Gig of SSD, win 10 will run on 32 but when it tries to update it tries to duplicate itself with a windows.old folder. When it runs out of space it merrily uses all the disc space including your photos and data until it finally gives up, having wiped all your data and stuffed itself in the rear and no longer boots up. Microsoft denied all responsibility for wrecking my laptop,  which now runs windows 7, as that was what it came with and works very well.  I used to use unix and linux at work but they are just too reliant on the command line, with the umpteen options which is no good for someone as ancient as me to remember and type correctly.

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3 hours ago, Detling said:

Make sure it has at least 64 Gig of SSD, win 10 will run on 32 but when it tries to update it tries to duplicate itself with a windows.old folder. When it runs out of space it merrily uses all the disc space including your photos and data until it finally gives up, having wiped all your data and stuffed itself in the rear and no longer boots up. Microsoft denied all responsibility for wrecking my laptop,  which now runs windows 7, as that was what it came with and works very well.  I used to use unix and linux at work but they are just too reliant on the command line, with the umpteen options which is no good for someone as ancient as me to remember and type correctly.

That's precisely why I dumpted windows a few years ago, Totaly clogged my hard drive with repeated failed auto updates. Only use Linux nowadays. 

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4 hours ago, Detling said:

Make sure it has at least 64 Gig of SSD, win 10 will run on 32 but when it tries to update it tries to duplicate itself with a windows.old folder. When it runs out of space it merrily uses all the disc space including your photos and data until it finally gives up, having wiped all your data and stuffed itself in the rear and no longer boots up. Microsoft denied all responsibility for wrecking my laptop,  which now runs windows 7, as that was what it came with and works very well.  I used to use unix and linux at work but they are just too reliant on the command line, with the umpteen options which is no good for someone as ancient as me to remember and type correctly.

 

The red bit is certainly true for older versions of Linux and may well be true for whatever version the IT bods have decide you will use at work but nowadays I can do almost anything I want to in Linux Mint using the Graphical interface. I suspect the same is true of Unbuntu and several other modern versions. What is true is that if you ask for help on forums, even version specific ones, the geeks immediately start giving you strings of command line instructions, usually without an explanation of what each command is supposed to do.

 

If you use Android, Mac OS, or Google offerings you are really running heavily modified and propitiatory versions of Unix/Linux and I don't here Mac & Android users complaining about having to use the command line. It is really time ordinary people who have no need for specialist applications devote some time to working with a MODERN version of Linux, I doubt many would go back and pay for Windoze.

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On 07/12/2019 at 12:49, Tony Brooks said:

 

The red bit is certainly true for older versions of Linux and may well be true for whatever version the IT bods have decide you will use at work but nowadays I can do almost anything I want to in Linux Mint using the Graphical interface.

 

I missed that original comment and agree with this. I tried Linux a couple of times and then found Mint. Pretty easy transition from Windows too.  With software coming in flatpacks, it is so easy to install now.  It's not for everyone but I for one love it and can't imaging to going back to Windows as a my main OS.

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