Right so should I just go to windows 7 then? Is that even possible?

Not necessarily - as i stated before, if you are happy with Vista and it is still working without problems, the stick with it. You will find Windows 7 very similar to Vista and should be an easy transition, although a few useful features are missing from 7 that are in Vista.
If you have your mind set on upgrading, you will be able to get a Windows 7 disc quite cheaply from the likes of eBay or maybe from an independent computer store. It is worth going for the Ultimate edition as that has the most features. If buying a used copy from eBay, make sure you get the installation key (on a holographic sticker) with the disc(s) to ensure that the key is genuine.

As for the upgrade process, i would suggest a fresh installation, after backing up all your files of course. I would also suggest that you check first with the manufacturer of the computer that drivers for Windows 7 are available.

Have a look at Spybot Anti Beacon, it's free.

https://www.safer-networking.org/spybot-anti-beacon/

Sorts out MS tracking stuff, after any update a quick check to see if anything has been changed.

PS Made by people who made Spybot Search and Destroy

Many thanks for the link familiar with SpyBot but didn't know about this one.


and Wow, downloaded, saved, installed and immunized in under 3 minutes,
faster than I could do a single item.

All very painless
 

So, I opted for windows 10. Upgraded from USB stick after faffing around a while trying to change the boot up device it all went rather well.

I had to change my WiFi dongle and have been running for a week or so and except for 1 niggle everything seems ok.

The niggle I have is that every other boot the system hangs mid sequence. Turn it off and on and no problem. Next time I turn it on it hangs again...turn it off and on... You get the picture I'm sure.

Blimey!!! Windows 10 weren't kidding when they say...."Do not turn off PC this will take a while" http://www.lifeshore.com/smiley/data...oticon_226.gif


I have Win 10 on a partition on one of my Linux PC's & as I've not used it in months I thought there will probably be updates for it......It's been going on over 2 hours updating now http://www.lifeshore.com/smiley/data...moticon_41.gif

You don't get this sort of thing with Linux updates.

My latest humongous Windows 10 update took from 7.05pm to 11.15pm on Friday night - that's obviously Microsoft's definition of "a while" :D

And unless it's a major update (equivalent to say windows 8 - 10 update), you can still use your computer and reboot when you want to. And the reboot is normal, no waiting hours while it's changing who knows what.

I checked my Win 10 PC that had the anniversary/cumulative update or whatever it's called & noticed Win 10 had installed some stuff on I certainly didn't install. Have you checked your 'apps & features' settings since the big update! I had two game apps I didn't install totaling nearly 200MB in size, Candy crush saga & farmville. you cant just delete them either:devil:, you have to change a host of settings in the PC system before you can uninstall them:devil:

I only use this Win 10 PC mainly for recording, I'll stick with Linux that doesn't slurp all your data up & send it back to MS as default.:mad:


Here's a vid about it.








https://i.imgflip.com/ormuk.jpg

I run Windows 7 pro edition and its fine. I have no intention of upgrading to 8 or 10 as I cannot see what advantages it offers apart from a horrible new GUI and that I will lose control. Some berk installed it on 2 PC's at work and it has rendered printers unuseable and all sorts of other rubbish. Its free for a reason because it NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-.