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references for changing to Win7 from XP?



 
 
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  #1  
Old January 6th 19, 05:36 AM posted to alt.windows7.general
pyotr filipivich
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Posts: 752
Default references for changing to Win7 from XP?



It has been a long time, but I had to switch from XP to Win7 (I
knew I should have upgraded XP to 64 bit when that came out) a couple
years ago, and did not have the time to "play" with it to find out how
the GUI worked. I bashed together some shortcuts and the like on the
desktop (etc), and worked around MS.

I realized last month that I have more time now on my hands, at
least until spring, and maybe, now might not be a bad time to
"formally" switch over to Win 7. (I see some things on my wife's
computer that seem like they might work. OTOH ...)

So, any tutorial/books pointers, etc?

tschus
pyotr


--
pyotr filipivich
The question was asked: "Is Hindsight overrated?"
In retrospect, it appears to be.
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  #2  
Old January 6th 19, 06:56 AM posted to alt.windows7.general
Bill in Co[_3_]
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Posts: 303
Default references for changing to Win7 from XP?

pyotr filipivich wrote:
It has been a long time, but I had to switch from XP to Win7 (I
knew I should have upgraded XP to 64 bit when that came out) a couple
years ago, and did not have the time to "play" with it to find out how
the GUI worked. I bashed together some shortcuts and the like on the
desktop (etc), and worked around MS.

I realized last month that I have more time now on my hands, at
least until spring, and maybe, now might not be a bad time to
"formally" switch over to Win 7. (I see some things on my wife's
computer that seem like they might work. OTOH ...)

So, any tutorial/books pointers, etc?


Here are some of my suggestions regarding a few useful programs:

Windows Shell: First suggestion is to install Windows 7 Classic Shell
(freebie), unless you can stand the default Windows 7 shell. :-)

http://www.classicshell.net/

Registry Backups: You can't really rely on ERUNT anymore for a complete
registry backup utility, although ERUNT worked great for Windows XP. The
best replacement I've found for that seems to be a program by tweaking.com
called "Registry Backup".

https://www.tweaking.com/content/pag...ry_backup.html

Another useful one is called RegOwnershipEx, to take ownership of some
registry keys. Windows 7 is otherwise very possessive of gaining access to
some of its registry keys:

https://www.tweaking.com/content/pag...ry_backup.html

And perhaps most useful in the main use category would be to install some
later versions of Firefox and Chrome (ones that you couldn't install on
Windows XP), if you are so inclined

Not sure what you were looking for, however, and some of these may not be of
much use to you, but were for me (except that 99% of the time I'm still
using Windows XP here). I still prefer Windows XP, and will continue to use
Windows XP until I can't any longer. (I imagine that will be when the XP
version browsers for FF and Chrome are no longer usable on the Internet),
but that time hasn't arrived yet. :-)


  #3  
Old January 6th 19, 10:05 AM posted to alt.windows7.general
Stan Brown
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Posts: 2,904
Default references for changing to Win7 from XP?

On Sat, 05 Jan 2019 20:36:09 -0800, pyotr filipivich wrote:
So, any tutorial/books pointers, etc?



Windows 7 Inside Out
(When I was new to Win 7, this newsgroup mentioned this one more than
all other suggestions combined. And they were right.)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0735656924


(ahem) My own Windows 7 tips page:
http://oakroadsystems.com/tech/7tip.htm

--
Stan Brown, Oak Road Systems, Tompkins County, New York, USA
http://BrownMath.com/
http://OakRoadSystems.com/
Shikata ga nai...
  #4  
Old January 6th 19, 10:20 AM posted to alt.windows7.general
Shadow
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,638
Default references for changing to Win7 from XP?

On Sat, 05 Jan 2019 20:36:09 -0800, pyotr filipivich
wrote:



It has been a long time, but I had to switch from XP to Win7 (I
knew I should have upgraded XP to 64 bit when that came out) a couple
years ago, and did not have the time to "play" with it to find out how
the GUI worked. I bashed together some shortcuts and the like on the
desktop (etc), and worked around MS.

I realized last month that I have more time now on my hands, at
least until spring, and maybe, now might not be a bad time to
"formally" switch over to Win 7. (I see some things on my wife's
computer that seem like they might work. OTOH ...)

So, any tutorial/books pointers, etc?


First, install Win 7 and do an image of the disc so you can
restore if you mess up. It will only take a few minutes. If you have
the space(Clonezilla compresses, so a virgin install makes a very
small image file), you can do subsequent images as you set up your
system, for example installing Classic Shell and a decent firewall.
It will save you the bother of having to do it all again if
something does not work as expected. Just restore the latest image.
Do NOT allow automatic updates. My maid's PC bluescreens on
boot after the last update, and I haven't had the time to look into it
so she's been without her PC for over a week. Remember, it's in M$'s
best interest for Win 7 to crash. They want you to update to 10.

I'd read up on firewalls. Check the ones that don't phone home
themselves or allow Windows to phone home. (I can't vouch for any of
them).
If in doubt, put an old Linux box between your PC and the net
and monitor network activity. It should be close to zero when you are
not actively using the internet.
Try to isolate and close down any datamining or profiling
activity before you put any personal data on the new machine.
When you do install programs, you will probably need to right
click on both installer and program and "run as administrator". That
gives the program access to everything on the PC, so make sure you
have double checked any installers before using them.
And run a decent uninstaller like Chemtable's Soft Organizer
so you can cleanly remove anything that misbehaves. You can get
giveaway copy he
https://www.comss.ru/page.php?id=5064
(if you update it you will have to register it. The file is
safe, check on Virustotal).
Or you can use Revo Uninstaller (there's also a giveaway
somewhere out there of the Pro version, but they offer a free one too)
HTH
[]'s
--
Don't be evil - Google 2004
We have a new policy - Google 2012
  #5  
Old January 6th 19, 01:49 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
Big Al[_5_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,588
Default references for changing to Win7 from XP?

On 1/6/19 4:20 AM, Shadow wrote:
On Sat, 05 Jan 2019 20:36:09 -0800, pyotr filipivich
wrote:



It has been a long time, but I had to switch from XP to Win7 (I
knew I should have upgraded XP to 64 bit when that came out) a couple
years ago, and did not have the time to "play" with it to find out how
the GUI worked. I bashed together some shortcuts and the like on the
desktop (etc), and worked around MS.

I realized last month that I have more time now on my hands, at
least until spring, and maybe, now might not be a bad time to
"formally" switch over to Win 7. (I see some things on my wife's
computer that seem like they might work. OTOH ...)

So, any tutorial/books pointers, etc?


First, install Win 7 and do an image of the disc so you can
restore if you mess up. It will only take a few minutes. If you have
the space(Clonezilla compresses, so a virgin install makes a very
small image file), you can do subsequent images as you set up your
system, for example installing Classic Shell and a decent firewall.
It will save you the bother of having to do it all again if
something does not work as expected. Just restore the latest image.
Do NOT allow automatic updates. My maid's PC bluescreens on
boot after the last update, and I haven't had the time to look into it
so she's been without her PC for over a week. Remember, it's in M$'s
best interest for Win 7 to crash. They want you to update to 10.

I'd read up on firewalls. Check the ones that don't phone home
themselves or allow Windows to phone home. (I can't vouch for any of
them).
If in doubt, put an old Linux box between your PC and the net
and monitor network activity. It should be close to zero when you are
not actively using the internet.
Try to isolate and close down any datamining or profiling
activity before you put any personal data on the new machine.
When you do install programs, you will probably need to right
click on both installer and program and "run as administrator". That
gives the program access to everything on the PC, so make sure you
have double checked any installers before using them.
And run a decent uninstaller like Chemtable's Soft Organizer
so you can cleanly remove anything that misbehaves. You can get
giveaway copy he
https://www.comss.ru/page.php?id=5064
(if you update it you will have to register it. The file is
safe, check on Virustotal).
Or you can use Revo Uninstaller (there's also a giveaway
somewhere out there of the Pro version, but they offer a free one too)
HTH
[]'s

+1 on Revo Uninstaller, but use a formal backup / image program like
Macrium Relfect not clonezilla.


  #6  
Old January 6th 19, 04:31 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
Ken Blake[_5_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,221
Default references for changing to Win7 from XP?

On Sat, 05 Jan 2019 20:36:09 -0800, pyotr filipivich
wrote:


It has been a long time, but I had to switch from XP to Win7 (I




*Had* to? Why do you say that? Not that I'm saying you shouldn't, but
hardly anyone ever has to.


knew I should have upgraded XP to 64 bit when that came out)




Same question on that: *should* have? Why do you say that? My view on
that is even stronger: it's a mistake for most people.


years ago, and did not have the time to "play" with it to find out how
the GUI worked.




The GUIs for XP and 7 aren't all that different. It shouldn't take
long at all to learn the difference.
  #7  
Old January 6th 19, 05:38 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
Paul[_32_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 11,873
Default references for changing to Win7 from XP?

Ken Blake wrote:
On Sat, 05 Jan 2019 20:36:09 -0800, pyotr filipivich
wrote:


It has been a long time, but I had to switch from XP to Win7 (I




*Had* to? Why do you say that? Not that I'm saying you shouldn't, but
hardly anyone ever has to.


Sometimes, this is necessitated by the lack of
continued browser development for WinXP.

Maybe you need TLS 1.2 to visit certain websites, and
only a newer browser has it.

The last Chrome for WinXP was a couple years ago. The last
Seamonkey for WinXP has been produced, and the next one
likely won't run on WinXP. And Firefox 52ESR was the last
for them I suspect.

Paul
  #8  
Old January 6th 19, 05:50 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
pyotr filipivich
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 752
Default references for changing to Win7 from XP?

Ken Blake on Sun, 06 Jan 2019 08:31:04 -0700
typed in alt.windows7.general the following:
On Sat, 05 Jan 2019 20:36:09 -0800, pyotr filipivich
wrote:
It has been a long time, but I had to switch from XP to Win7 (I


*Had* to? Why do you say that? Not that I'm saying you shouldn't, but
hardly anyone ever has to.


When the class is about the software, and the software is 64 bit
and your OS is not, you really only have two choices: upgrade to 64
bit, or drop the class. When you're a broke unemployed machinist in
retraining, your options are limited. Refurbished machine for $200 or
try to find XP 64 install disks somewhere.
I'd have "banked" this machine, save that the XP box died about
the same time.

knew I should have upgraded XP to 64 bit when that came out)


Same question on that: *should* have? Why do you say that? My view on
that is even stronger: it's a mistake for most people.


Maybe so. But I have to know Word, despite it being an inferior
product, because so many places use only it; accept no submissions
which are not Word compatible.


years ago, and did not have the time to "play" with it to find out how
the GUI worked.


The GUIs for XP and 7 aren't all that different. It shouldn't take
long at all to learn the difference.


Note well,"aren't all that different". But those little bits can
be critical. "why does the icon for 'desktop' not look like a
desktop?" "Where is the icon for wordpad?" Etc, etc, - and do not
get me started on Win7's apparent inability to know where in the
directory tree I have gone.
When one has time those things are no problem, you can fiddle with
it and learn new procedures.
But when I'm having to stop what I've done for a long time, to
find out where/how to do it "here" - it throws me out. Very much like
getting a new car, and the light switch and wiper controls are
"backwards." Do not tell me that it is 'better'.

tschus
pyotr

--
pyotr filipivich
Next month's Panel: Graft - Boon or blessing?
  #9  
Old January 6th 19, 07:04 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
Bill in Co[_3_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 303
Default references for changing to Win7 from XP?

Paul wrote:
Ken Blake wrote:
On Sat, 05 Jan 2019 20:36:09 -0800, pyotr filipivich
wrote:


It has been a long time, but I had to switch from XP to Win7 (I




*Had* to? Why do you say that? Not that I'm saying you shouldn't, but
hardly anyone ever has to.


Sometimes, this is necessitated by the lack of
continued browser development for WinXP.

Maybe you need TLS 1.2 to visit certain websites, and
only a newer browser has it.

The last Chrome for WinXP was a couple years ago. The last
Seamonkey for WinXP has been produced, and the next one
likely won't run on WinXP. And Firefox 52ESR was the last
for them I suspect.

Paul


Fortunately, not quite yet, as the latest WinXP versions of FF and Chrome
still work ok, at least on all the sites I've visited and needed. But I can
see the day is coming. And there have been a few occasions when I've needed
to use Chrome to get everything to appear as intended, even though I prefer
using FF. But as we've both noted, I think the browser limitations are
going to be the limiting factor, for the continuing use of WinXP in the
future.


  #10  
Old January 6th 19, 09:10 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
Frank Slootweg
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Posts: 1,226
Default How to (safely) run Out-of-Support Windows versions? (was: references for changing to Win7 from XP?)

Bill in Co surly_curmudgeon@earthlink wrote:
[...]

99% of the time I'm still
using Windows XP here). I still prefer Windows XP, and will continue to use
Windows XP until I can't any longer. (I imagine that will be when the XP
version browsers for FF and Chrome are no longer usable on the Internet),
but that time hasn't arrived yet. :-)


I assume that you no longer get security updates for your XP system
(i.e. also not by faking that it's 'Windows Embedded Standard 2009' or
'Windows Embedded POSReady 2009').

If you don't get any security updates, then how do you keep your
system 'safe'? Just by using Anti-Virus/Anti-Malware software? Other
means?

I ask this, because in several threads people voice their concerns
about their Windows version nearing the end of its support-lifecycle,
while they don't want to - or cannot - upgrade to a newer version
(especially people not wanting to 'upgrade' to Windows 10).

FWIW, I'm on Windows 8.1 which is in its 'Extended support' phase,
till January 10, 2023, so I still have a few years to go, but Windows 10
is so unappealing/bad, that it's time to think about a Plan B.
  #11  
Old January 6th 19, 09:22 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
Mayayana
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 6,438
Default references for changing to Win7 from XP?

"pyotr filipivich" wrote

|
| It has been a long time, but I had to switch from XP to Win7(I
| knew I should have upgraded XP to 64 bit when that came out)
|

It's probably good timing. Support for XP is beginning
to wane. Though I'm surprised you need 64-bit.

For what it's worth, I think of Win7 as salvageable but
not desirable. The two biggest points against it are
bloat and file restrictions. You have to come to terms
with both of those in your own way. The bloat is mainly
just a problem with disk image backup. But in some cases
the winsxs folder can grows by 10s of GBs. So it's a
good idea to have disk images ready to clear the deck
if necessary. Win7 is too brittle to fiddle around too
much with trying to keep it lean.

File restrictions: Some people like that, for security.
Though most self-respecting malware these days can
bypass user limits.
You can learn to live with it. you can set yourself
up as the real Administrator and use it like XP. Or you
can do halfway measures, like taking control of some
files, turning off UAC, and maybe having one or
more FAT32 partitions for hassle-free file storage.

Tempers get heated about this issue and everyone
knows the only right way.

I also have numerous minor quibbles. Overwriting
files with a copy is a pain. Windows wants to have a
discussion about it rather than just warning that the
old files will be lost. Every time I put in a USB stick
Win7 wants to format it.... There are a hundred little
things like that where XP stays out of my way while
Win7 acts "neurotic". But I don't find anything to be
an insurmountable problem. I just tend not to use it
much because I don't want to spend a month trying
to figure out how to make it shut up and get out of
my way.


  #12  
Old January 6th 19, 09:33 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
Bill in Co[_3_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 303
Default How to (safely) run Out-of-Support Windows versions? (was: references for changing to Win7 from XP?)

Frank Slootweg wrote:
Bill in Co surly_curmudgeon@earthlink wrote:
[...]

99% of the time I'm still
using Windows XP here). I still prefer Windows XP, and will continue to
use Windows XP until I can't any longer. (I imagine that will be when
the XP version browsers for FF and Chrome are no longer usable on the
Internet), but that time hasn't arrived yet. :-)


I assume that you no longer get security updates for your XP system
(i.e. also not by faking that it's 'Windows Embedded Standard 2009' or
'Windows Embedded POSReady 2009').

If you don't get any security updates, then how do you keep your
system 'safe'? Just by using Anti-Virus/Anti-Malware software? Other
means?

I ask this, because in several threads people voice their concerns
about their Windows version nearing the end of its support-lifecycle,
while they don't want to - or cannot - upgrade to a newer version
(especially people not wanting to 'upgrade' to Windows 10).

FWIW, I'm on Windows 8.1 which is in its 'Extended support' phase,
till January 10, 2023, so I still have a few years to go, but Windows 10
is so unappealing/bad, that it's time to think about a Plan B.


Just by using an Anti-Virus program and trying to be careful about where I
go and what I open. I'm also not on any social media sites, either.


  #13  
Old January 7th 19, 04:54 AM posted to alt.windows7.general
pyotr filipivich
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 752
Default references for changing to Win7 from XP?

"Mayayana" on Sun, 6 Jan 2019 15:22:35 -0500
typed in alt.windows7.general the following:

I also have numerous minor quibbles. Overwriting
files with a copy is a pain. Windows wants to have a
discussion about it rather than just warning that the
old files will be lost. Every time I put in a USB stick
Win7 wants to format it.... There are a hundred little
things like that where XP stays out of my way while
Win7 acts "neurotic". But I don't find anything to be
an insurmountable problem. I just tend not to use it
much because I don't want to spend a month trying
to figure out how to make it shut up and get out of
my way.


I know what you mean. Windows has been described as a hyperactive
Boy Scout, always wanting to help, and always telling you what it just
did.
Sigh, I would like some way of telling Windows "I know that, don't
bother me with it again." E.g., if I change file extension from txt
to bat, after thirty years, I know it will change the functionality;
that is the reason I am changing the extension.

I wish I had the skills to "hack" Windows to get it out of my way.
But my serious nerding days are long past, I have other things I wish
to master.
--
pyotr filipivich
Next month's Panel: Graft - Boon or blessing?
  #14  
Old January 7th 19, 07:18 AM posted to alt.windows7.general
J. P. Gilliver (John)[_4_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,679
Default references for changing to Win7 from XP?

In message , pyotr
filipivich writes:
Ken Blake on Sun, 06 Jan 2019 08:31:04 -0700
typed in alt.windows7.general the following:
On Sat, 05 Jan 2019 20:36:09 -0800, pyotr filipivich

[]
knew I should have upgraded XP to 64 bit when that came out)


That's a different kettle of fish: I've never used it, but AIUI XP-64
isn't really XP, but something else made to _look_ like XP.

Same question on that: *should* have? Why do you say that? My view on
that is even stronger: it's a mistake for most people.


Maybe so. But I have to know Word, despite it being an inferior
product, because so many places use only it; accept no submissions
which are not Word compatible.

(Though I doubt they'd object to .doc rather than .docx, or even notice.
Though be prepared for _them_ to send _you_ .docx files.)

years ago, and did not have the time to "play" with it to find out how
the GUI worked.


The GUIs for XP and 7 aren't all that different. It shouldn't take
long at all to learn the difference.


Note well,"aren't all that different". But those little bits can
be critical. "why does the icon for 'desktop' not look like a
desktop?" "Where is the icon for wordpad?" Etc, etc, - and do not
get me started on Win7's apparent inability to know where in the
directory tree I have gone.
When one has time those things are no problem, you can fiddle with
it and learn new procedures.
But when I'm having to stop what I've done for a long time, to
find out where/how to do it "here" - it throws me out. Very much like


Well said. I did give 7's UI a good run, trying to learn it, as I did
and do give the boys and girls at Microsoft more credit than many here
do - i. e. I assume they genuinely do think their new ways are better,
not just changes for their own sake - so I was willing to try to go
along. But, like you, there came some point where I wanted to do
something in a hurry and couldn't figure out how, so Classic Shell went
on, and has never come off since.

getting a new car, and the light switch and wiper controls are
"backwards." Do not tell me that it is 'better'.


Now - not sure about the wipers, but the indicators - I've never
understood when people say they're "backwards" on a different car. I
think of them as being part of an invisible wheel: if I want to indicate
I'm going to turn, I turn the indicator stalk the way I'm going to turn
the steering wheel. I don't think "up" or "down".

tschus
pyotr

John


How about a three-way referendum, allowing second choices?
--
Are petitions unfair? See 255soft.uk (YOUR VOTE COUNTS)! [Pass it on.]
--
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An Englishman, even if he is alone, forms an orderly queue of one.
(George Mikes in "How to be an Alien".)
  #15  
Old January 7th 19, 02:21 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
Paul[_32_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 11,873
Default references for changing to Win7 from XP?

J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:
In message , pyotr
filipivich writes:
Ken Blake on Sun, 06 Jan 2019 08:31:04 -0700
typed in alt.windows7.general the following:
On Sat, 05 Jan 2019 20:36:09 -0800, pyotr filipivich

[]
knew I should have upgraded XP to 64 bit when that came out)


That's a different kettle of fish: I've never used it, but AIUI XP-64
isn't really XP, but something else made to _look_ like XP.


You'd be sorry if you did that, due to the lack of drivers.
The 64-bit version only went up to SP2, and the general reviews
(if you checked on Newegg at the time) were "don't bother".
It's a 64-bit OS only in name, and was a distraction for MS
at the time.

Paul
 




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