Windows 10 update to 2004. Is it safe at this point?

I bought a laptop for traveling and also to see what W10 was all about.
I loath this version of Windows (the spying and mandatory updating) and
keep nothing personal on that computer, but that's neither here nor there.


There's been a lot of talk on the internet about problems associated
with updating to version 2004. I've still put a lot of work into beating
the OS into something I can use and don't want to have wasted my time.
Has M$ worked out the bugs enough on this update that it's safe to allow
it at this point or does anybody know of any bugs that are still a problem?

TIA.

--
John C.

John C. wrote:
I bought a laptop for traveling and also to see what W10 was all about.
I loath this version of Windows (the spying and mandatory updating) and
keep nothing personal on that computer, but that's neither here nor there.


There's been a lot of talk on the internet about problems associated
with updating to version 2004. I've still put a lot of work into beating
the OS into something I can use and don't want to have wasted my time.
Has M$ worked out the bugs enough on this update that it's safe to allow
it at this point or does anybody know of any bugs that are still a problem?

TIA.


The situation is Normal.

Your response as a user is the *same* as it always was.

1) Make a full backup to an external drive, including
C: , System Reserved, Recovery. All the materials the
OS uses should be backed up. The following will work,
and there are several other free programs which can
successfully do a Full backup for you. To use this one,
you also make an emergency boot CD, as that's what you
would use, to put C: back on the disk on a restore.

http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree

2) Now, unplug any drive except the one receiving the update.
Only the OS drive should be present. This prevents "splatter"
from the installer, onto a data drive. The people who have
moved their Program Files or their home directory to D: ,
those individuals will work out for themselves what to do.
The base configuration of the OS only needs the one hard drive.

3) Carry out the update attempt.

The OS has exceptionally good recovery/reversion capability.
It hardly ever "bricks" the computer. But step (1) is the
user response to any unanticipated events. For example, maybe
a half dozen releases ago, the OS could tip over on the final
reboot and not revert. But they fixed that, and even late
failures in the process, recover.

*But*, on reversion, the contents of your boot drive, are
not exactly the same as before. If you want everything
restored perfectly, you do a restore of the image from (1).
For example, maybe your screensaver has been set back to ten
minutes, after you'd set it to one hour.

*******

The next question, is "does the 2004 OS work" ?

The sample size here (USENET), is too small to tell. Microsoft
themselves blocked the upgrade based on field results they
were seeing, suggesting the quality of the upgrade was not
all that good. But they were also being quite conservative
in approach. On paper, the test interval was longer for this
OS, in practice, the staff must have been playing Tetris
for four months.

For example, historically, they save tablet upgrades until
almost the end of the upgrade cycle. This has to do with the
difficulty of installing the OS when little disk space is
available.

Based on results, my guess is the staff are working on
different things at Microsoft, and aren't really working
hard on this product (Windows 10). For example, they've
promised on more than one occasion, to remove the
Control Panels legacy stuff (which is still useful),
but their "velocity" on this subject, suggests
there are only two guys working on it, and each guy
only has one arm and one leg.

Summary: Always read the bumpf on the Internet. Borncity,
or some of the other sites that cover patching issues.
They likely have the best logs about printer problems,
or other regressions. I would think the install
process itself is low risk, but if you follow the
general rules of upgrading (never assume *anything*
about product quality), you can't really be disappointed.
Only lost time is the result, not lost materials.

My 2004 here works, but then I'm not a power user. I don't
have a VR helmet, I don't do 3D sketches, I'm not on Facebook.
My Lamborghini is in the shop.

Paul

"John C." wrote:

I bought a laptop for traveling and also to see what W10 was all
about. I loath this version of Windows (the spying and mandatory
updating) and keep nothing personal on that computer, but that's
neither here nor there.

There's been a lot of talk on the internet about problems associated
with updating to version 2004. I've still put a lot of work into
beating the OS into something I can use and don't want to have wasted
my time. Has M$ worked out the bugs enough on this update that it's
safe to allow it at this point or does anybody know of any bugs that
are still a problem?

When you check for Windows updates, is the 2004 build being offered to
you? If not, are you intending to force the install by downloading from
Microsoft's catalog site?

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/win...indows-10-2004

You can walk through the known issues to determine which might apply to
your hardware and software configuration. The ones with "Investigating"
status are those that have not yet been resolved, so those would be the
ones that interest you.

None of the "Investigating" issues is relevant to my configuration. Yet
Microsoft is still not offering the 2004 update to me. By the time they
get around to resolving all the issues in 2004, it'll be time for the
2009 or 2010 update. Since there's nothing important in the 2004
update, I don't mind that Microsoft won't offer it to me for probably a
long time later, or supercede it with another semiannual update.

https://www.thurrott.com/windows/win...0-version-2004

Not much there to bother with.

You are not using Mozilla Thunderbird so you are not likely to see anything in this post. Come back when you have installed Mozilla Thunderbird that is free for everybody to use.


--

With over 1.2 billion devices now running Windows 10, customer
satisfaction is higher than any previous version of windows.

On Wed, 29 Jul 2020 13:21:21 -0700, in alt.comp.os.windows-10, John C.
wrote:

I bought a laptop for traveling and also to see what W10 was all about.
I loath this version of Windows (the spying and mandatory updating) and
keep nothing personal on that computer, but that's neither here nor there.


There's been a lot of talk on the internet about problems associated
with updating to version 2004. I've still put a lot of work into beating
the OS into something I can use and don't want to have wasted my time.
Has M$ worked out the bugs enough on this update that it's safe to allow
it at this point or does anybody know of any bugs that are still a problem?

TIA.

I got held up for Intel graphics on a variable refresh rate (VRR) monitor
(I think), or Bluetooth issues, and I believe they're both still a
problem. Check Windows update and if it says "it's not ready for your
machine," you can click on the link to see which issues have been
resolved and which are still active. If you see nothing listed that
applies to your system, or something that is resolved, you're probably
safe.

Since I found the Bluetooth dongle to be useless and just had the
leftover drivers, and I don't use my Intel graphics but an Nvidia
discrete card instead, I felt comfortable using the Windows Upgrade Tool
to force 2004 and everything has gone fine.

I just have a few problems with the machine not sleeping the monitor (and
of course itself as well), on occasion, which I think might be linked to
the game controller as that has been known to cause that issue.

--
Zaghadka

Seems a computer engineer, a systems analyst, and a programmer were
driving down a mountain when the brakes gave out. They screamed down the
mountain, gaining speed, but finally managed to grind to a halt, more by
luck than anything else, just inches from a thousand foot drop to jagged
rocks. They all got out of the car:
The computer engineer said, "I think I can fix it."
The systems analyst said, "No, no, I think we should take it
into town and have a specialist look at it."
The programmer said, "OK, but first I think we should get back
in and see if it does it again."

On 7/29/2020 4:21 PM, John C. wrote:
I loath this version of Windows (the spying and mandatory updating)

then run O&O ShutUp10 (no install required, just runs as an executable;
https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10) and select

disable recordings of user activity
disable the submission of user activities to Microsoft
disable...about a million other things O&O can turn off

or, you can click on Actions - "Apply only recommended settings" to
start out with, and then work the individual settings on or off from there.

probably wouldn't hurt to install the host file at
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm to block other bad things.

On 30/07/2020 01:34, Toast wrote:
On 7/29/2020 4:21 PM, John C. wrote:
I loath this version of Windows (the spying and mandatory updating)

then run O&O ShutUp10 (no install required, just runs as an executable;
https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10) and select



Good suggestion. I've had it for a while. And if all the options there
do not put you off using Win 10 for ever, then you can proceed as usual.

Note: The O&O blocking of some Win 10 functions cannot be meddled with.
Others are marked as 'limited' (i.e. O&O does not guarantee the result).
As for the rest of the *long list* of monitoring functions, it may put
off some people for good.




disable recordings of user activity
disable the submission of user activities to Microsoft
disable...about a million other things O&O can turn off

or, you can click on Actions - "Apply only recommended settings" to
start out with, and then work the individual settings on or off from there.

probably wouldn't hurt to install the host file at
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm to block other bad things.

VanguardLH wrote:
John C. wrote:

I bought a laptop for traveling and also to see what W10 was all
about. I loath this version of Windows (the spying and mandatory
updating) and keep nothing personal on that computer, but that's
neither here nor there.

There's been a lot of talk on the internet about problems associated
with updating to version 2004. I've still put a lot of work into
beating the OS into something I can use and don't want to have wasted
my time. Has M$ worked out the bugs enough on this update that it's
safe to allow it at this point or does anybody know of any bugs that
are still a problem?

When you check for Windows updates, is the 2004 build being offered to
you? If not, are you intending to force the install by downloading from
Microsoft's catalog site?

I've disabled the wireless on the laptop, only run the computer when the
cable modem and router are turned off. Haven't run the system for about
a month either. Before I turn it on and connect to the internet with it,
it would be nice to know if there are any bugs associated with version
2004 that are still giving people problems. That's really all I want to
know. I've read the other answers to my OP and none of them seem to
address that question. So at this point, I'm sorry, I don't know whether
or not the build is being offered to me. I know that M$ is releasing it
in batches or at least I heard that they're doing that. Might find out
later today though.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/win...indows-10-2004

You can walk through the known issues to determine which might apply to
your hardware and software configuration. The ones with "Investigating"
status are those that have not yet been resolved, so those would be the
ones that interest you.

*THIS* is the answer I've been looking for. Thanks!

None of the "Investigating" issues is relevant to my configuration. Yet
Microsoft is still not offering the 2004 update to me. By the time they
get around to resolving all the issues in 2004, it'll be time for the
2009 or 2010 update.

You're probably correct there. Before putting the laptop in storage, I
had just allowed the update to 1909 and almost the next day started
hearing about 2004.

Since there's nothing important in the 2004
update, I don't mind that Microsoft won't offer it to me for probably a
long time later, or supercede it with another semiannual update.

https://www.thurrott.com/windows/win...0-version-2004

Not much there to bother with.

Very good answer to my question, very much appreciate your reply. Thanks
again!

--
John C.

John C. wrote:
VanguardLH wrote:
John C. wrote:

I bought a laptop for traveling and also to see what W10 was all
about. I loath this version of Windows (the spying and mandatory
updating) and keep nothing personal on that computer, but that's
neither here nor there.

There's been a lot of talk on the internet about problems associated
with updating to version 2004. I've still put a lot of work into
beating the OS into something I can use and don't want to have wasted
my time. Has M$ worked out the bugs enough on this update that it's
safe to allow it at this point or does anybody know of any bugs that
are still a problem?

When you check for Windows updates, is the 2004 build being offered to
you? If not, are you intending to force the install by downloading from
Microsoft's catalog site?

I've disabled the wireless on the laptop, only run the computer when the
cable modem and router are turned off. Haven't run the system for about
a month either. Before I turn it on and connect to the internet with it,
it would be nice to know if there are any bugs associated with version
2004 that are still giving people problems. That's really all I want to
know. I've read the other answers to my OP and none of them seem to
address that question.

Actually, that's not fair. Upon re-reading them, the other answers were
helpful as well and my thanks to those respondents.

--
John Corliss BS206. No ad, CD, commercial, cripple, demo, nag, pirated,
share, spy, time-limited, trial or web wares for me please. I filter out
posts made from Google Groups, cross-posted messages and anything from
that bonehead Arlen Holder. I recommend you do likewise.

Zaghadka wrote:
On Wed, 29 Jul 2020 13:21:21 -0700, in alt.comp.os.windows-10, John C.
wrote:

I bought a laptop for traveling and also to see what W10 was all about.
I loath this version of Windows (the spying and mandatory updating) and
keep nothing personal on that computer, but that's neither here nor there.


There's been a lot of talk on the internet about problems associated
with updating to version 2004. I've still put a lot of work into beating
the OS into something I can use and don't want to have wasted my time.
Has M$ worked out the bugs enough on this update that it's safe to allow
it at this point or does anybody know of any bugs that are still a problem?

TIA.

I got held up for Intel graphics on a variable refresh rate (VRR) monitor
(I think), or Bluetooth issues, and I believe they're both still a
problem. Check Windows update and if it says "it's not ready for your
machine," you can click on the link to see which issues have been
resolved and which are still active. If you see nothing listed that
applies to your system, or something that is resolved, you're probably
safe.

Since I found the Bluetooth dongle to be useless and just had the
leftover drivers, and I don't use my Intel graphics but an Nvidia
discrete card instead, I felt comfortable using the Windows Upgrade Tool
to force 2004 and everything has gone fine.

I just have a few problems with the machine not sleeping the monitor (and
of course itself as well), on occasion, which I think might be linked to
the game controller as that has been known to cause that issue.

Hopefully, none of those will be issues on my laptop. I appreciate your
reply. Thanks!

--
John Corliss BS206. No ad, CD, commercial, cripple, demo, nag, pirated,
share, spy, time-limited, trial or web wares for me please. I filter out
posts made from Google Groups, cross-posted messages and anything from
that bonehead Arlen Holder. I recommend you do likewise.

Toast wrote:
John C. wrote:
I loath this version of Windows (the spying and mandatory updating)

then run O&O ShutUp10 (no install required, just runs as an executable;
https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10) and select

disable recordings of user activity
disable the submission of user activities to Microsoft
disable...about a million other things O&O can turn off

or, you can click on Actions - "Apply only recommended settings" to
start out with, and then work the individual settings on or off from there.

probably wouldn't hurt to install the host file at
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm to block other bad things.

I've been using Debotnet, but I hear that program is no longer being
developed or has changed into something with another name. Also, I found
this website:

https://www.geckoandfly.com/25083/fr...-tracking-you/

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll look into it.

--
John C.

On 7/29/2020 1:21 PM, John C. wrote:
I bought a laptop for traveling and also to see what W10 was all about.
I loath this version of Windows (the spying and mandatory updating) and
keep nothing personal on that computer, but that's neither here nor there.


There's been a lot of talk on the internet about problems associated
with updating to version 2004. I've still put a lot of work into beating
the OS into something I can use and don't want to have wasted my time.
Has M$ worked out the bugs enough on this update that it's safe to allow
it at this point or does anybody know of any bugs that are still a problem?



Some people have problems with it. Others don't. I've been running it
since the day it was released. No problems here.


--
Ken

On 2020-07-30 10:12 a.m., Ken Blake wrote:
On 7/29/2020 1:21 PM, John C. wrote:
I bought a laptop for traveling and also to see what W10 was all about.
I loath this version of Windows (the spying and mandatory updating) and
keep nothing personal on that computer, but that's neither here nor
there.


There's been a lot of talk on the internet about problems associated
with updating to version 2004. I've still put a lot of work into beating
the OS into something I can use and don't want to have wasted my time.
Has M$ worked out the bugs enough on this update that it's safe to allow
it at this point or does anybody know of any bugs that are still a
problem?



Some people have problems with it. Others don't. I've been running it
since the day it was released. No problems here.



+2

Rene

On 7/30/2020 8:12 AM, Ken Blake wrote:
On 7/29/2020 1:21 PM, John C. wrote:
I bought a laptop for traveling and also to see what W10 was all about.
I loath this version of Windows (the spying and mandatory updating) and
keep nothing personal on that computer, but that's neither here nor there.


There's been a lot of talk on the internet about problems associated
with updating to version 2004. I've still put a lot of work into beating
the OS into something I can use and don't want to have wasted my time.
Has M$ worked out the bugs enough on this update that it's safe to allow
it at this point or does anybody know of any bugs that are still a problem?



Some people have problems with it. Others don't.


I should have added the following:

The same is true of almost every new release of any piece of software.
Often problems are caused by people's ignorance of how to use it
correctly. Sometimes problems are caused by hardware compatibility with
the old version but incompatibility with the new one. Sometimes problems
are caused by drivers. Sometimes problems are caused by application
software compatibility with the old version but incompatibility with the
new one.

And yes, sometimes problems are caused by bugs in the new version. In my
experience, that's the least likely reason.

Two other points:

1. You say "There's been a lot of talk on the internet about
problems..." Yes, there has been. But people seldom post on the
internet to say how bug-free some new release is. Only the relatively
small number of people with problems post--to talk about their problems
and try to get help with them. Because the relatively small number of
people with problems rather than the much larger number of those without
problems post, it erroneously feels like almost everyone has problems.
Hang around a transmission shop and you'll think all cars have
transmission problems.

2. When a new version does have bugs, those bugs are most likely to be
in some seldom-used area or with some seldom-used software or hardware.
Just because someone experiences a bug doesn't doesn't mean the majority
of users will.

I can't promise you that you won't have problems if you install it. But
unless you have old hardware or run arcane software, I think the risks
are slight.


I've been running it
since the day it was released. No problems here.



--
Ken

I jut sent this, but it appears not to have gone out correctly, so I'm
resending it. My apologies if it arrives twice.

Ken


On 7/30/2020 8:12 AM, Ken Blake wrote:
On 7/29/2020 1:21 PM, John C. wrote:
I bought a laptop for traveling and also to see what W10 was all
about.
I loath this version of Windows (the spying and mandatory
updating) and
keep nothing personal on that computer, but that's neither here
nor there.


There's been a lot of talk on the internet about problems associated
with updating to version 2004. I've still put a lot of work into
beating
the OS into something I can use and don't want to have wasted my
time.
Has M$ worked out the bugs enough on this update that it's safe
to allow
it at this point or does anybody know of any bugs that are still
a problem?



Some people have problems with it. Others don't.


I should have added the following:

The same is true of almost every new release of any piece of software.
Often problems are caused by people's ignorance of how to use it
correctly. Sometimes problems are caused by hardware compatibility with
the old version but incompatibility with the new one. Sometimes problems
are caused by drivers. Sometimes problems are caused by application
software compatibility with the old version but incompatibility with the
new one.

And yes, sometimes problems are caused by bugs in the new version. In my
experience, that's the least likely reason.

Two other points:

1. You say "There's been a lot of talk on the internet about
problems..." Yes, there has been. But people seldom post on the
internet to say how bug-free some new release is. Only the relatively
small number of people with problems post--to talk about their problems
and try to get help with them. Because the relatively small number of
people with problems rather than the much larger number of those without
problems post, it erroneously feels like almost everyone has problems.
Hang around a transmission shop and you'll think all cars have
transmission problems.

2. When a new version does have bugs, those bugs are most likely to be
in some seldom-used area or with some seldom-used software or hardware.
Just because someone experiences a bug doesn't doesn't mean the majority
of users will.

I can't promise you that you won't have problems if you install it. But
unless you have old hardware or run arcane software, I think the risks
are slight.


I've been running it
since the day it was released. No problems here.



--
Ken