Hi Everyone. I thought some may find the following article interesting.
original link is before the text. all i can say is thank goodness we can
disable most of the stuff that we don't want/need, though not being able
to turn windows updates to manual could be an issue for some windows
home users like me who prefer to have updates set to notification only.
http://www.howtogeek.com/219034/here%E2%80%99s-what%E2%80%99s-different-about-windows-10-for-windows-7-users/
Here’s What’s Different About Windows 10 for Windows 7 Users
Unlike Windows 8, Windows 10 actually feels designed for a PC with a
keyboard and mouse. Windows 7 users will be much more at home with
Windows 10, but
there are still some big changes.
If you’re a Windows 7 user, you might be surprised to see just how much
has changed after you upgrade. Thankfully, there are no
weird hot corners
to learn.
Microsoft Account Integration
When you set up Windows 10, the first thing you’ll be asked is whether
you want to
log into your Windows system with a Microsoft account.
This is similar to logging into a Mac or iPhone with an Apple account,
or a Chromebook or Android device with a Google account.
If you log in with a Microsoft account, many desktop settings (including
your wallpaper) will sync between your PCs. You’ll be automatically
logged into
Microsoft services like the OneDrive client integrated into Windows. A
Microsoft account is mandatory to use some of the new features, like
the Windows
Store.
If you don’t want to use a Microsoft account, that’s also fine — there’s
a small little link that allows you to set up a traditional, local
Windows account.
You can easily convert it to a Microsoft account later, if you like.
The New Start Menu
The Start menu looks very different from how it did on Windows 7. The
live tiles found on Windows 8’s Start screen make a return here. But,
don’t worry
— you can remove all the live tiles if you don’t like them. Just
right-click them and remove them. The Start menu looks a bit different,
but it has all
the usual features you’d expect — a list of all your installed
applications as well as power options for shutting down or restarting
your PC. Move your
mouse to any edge of the Start menu and you’ll be able to resize it.
Universal Apps and the Windows Store
Many of the apps that come with Windows 10 are “universal apps,” which
are the successor to Windows 8’s “Metro apps” or “Store apps.” Unlike on
Windows
8, these apps actually run in windows on the desktop, so you may
actually be interested in using them.
To get more of these apps, you’ll need to open the Store app included
with Windows and download them from the Windows Store. There’s no way to
“sideload”
these types of apps by downloading them from the Internet, although
you’re free to avoid them entirely and install traditional Windows
desktop applications
from the web. You can also mix and match traditional Windows desktop
applications and new apps from the Store. They’ll all run in windows on
your desktop.
Settings App vs. Control Panel
The Settings option in the Start menu takes you straight to the new
Settings app, which is evolved from the PC Settings app on Windows 8.
This is designed
to be a more user-friendly way to configure your computer.
However, it still doesn’t contain every setting. The old Windows Control
Panel is still included. Some older settings may only be available in
the Control
Panel, while some newer settings may only be available in the Settings
app. To quickly access the Control Panel and other advanced options, you
can right-click
the Start button or press Windows Key + X. This menu is a useful
holdover from Windows 8.
The
Refresh and Reset options
also make the leap from Windows 8 to 10. These allow you to quickly
get your computer back to a like-new state without having to actually
reinstall Windows.
You won’t be able to disable automatic Windows updates on Windows 10
Home systems. You’ll need Windows 10 Professional to defer updates.
Cortana and Task View on the Taskbar
The Windows taskbar has changed a bit. In Windows 8, Microsoft removed
the Start button from the taskbar and you only saw icons for your
programs here.
In Windows 10, the Start button isn’t just back — there’s a “Search the
web and Windows” field that launches Microsoft’s Cortana assistant and a
Task View button
that provides an overview of all your open windows and virtual desktop
features.
Both of these features are enabled by default. If you’d like to disable
them, you can just right-click the taskbar and choose to hide the Search
and Task
View options.
Edge Replaces Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer is no longer the default browser, although it’s still
available for businesses that still need access to its older rendering
engine.
In its place is a modern browser named Edge. Microsoft’s Edge browser
should be more standards-compliant and perform better. It also no longer
supports
ActiveX controls,
so all those old Internet Explorer toolbars and browser plug-ins will no
longer function. If you’ve been using Internet Explorer, this is the
browser you’ll
be using instead. If you’re using Chrome or Firefox, you can install
that and continue browsing normally.
Desktop and Security Improvements
Many other
desktop improvements from Windows 8
are still here, but you won’t have seen them if you’ve been using
Windows 7. The Task Manager was given an upgrade, so it’s easier to see
what’s using
your system resources and even manage startup programs without
third-party software. Windows Explorer was renamed File Explorer and now
has a ribbon —
even if you don’t like the ribbon, File Explorer offers many useful
features. For example, the file-copying-and-moving dialog window is much
improved and
Windows can mount ISO disc image files without third-party software.
There are also many
security improvements from Windows 8.
Windows 10 includes Windows Defender by default — Windows Defender is
just a renamed version of Microsoft Security Essentials, so all Windows
systems have
a baseline level of antivirus protection.
SmartScreen
is a reputation system that tries to block harmful and unknown file
downloads from harming your computer.
These are far from the only improvements found in Windows 10. For
example, you’ll find a notification center and redesigned power,
network, and sound icons
in the system tray. Windows 10 includes Game DVR functionality for
recording and streaming PC games. Microsoft has made many
low-level tweaks that make
Windows use less disk space, boot faster, and better protected against
attacks.
Despite all the changes, Windows 10 is much easier to get to grips with
than Windows 8 was. It’s based on the familiar desktop interface,
complete with
a start menu and desktop windows. Windows 10 does have a “Tablet
mode,” but you have to enable that manually — or have it automatically
enabled when using
tablet hardware. You aren’t forced into tablet mode on typical PCs.
** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:-
** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe]
** If this link doesn't work then send a message to:
** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
** and in the Subject line type
** unsubscribe
** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the
** immediately-following link:-
** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq]
** or send a message, to
** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq
