Windows 11

[Cotswold]

Yes, I run Windows 10 in Virtualbox.

But I only need it for Access - and I don't do anything in Access except for help here and on UtterAccess. And occasionally an Excel spreadsheet

IMHO, Access is the wrong tool for the job going forwards in today's connected world with many different formats. Desktop with Windows and a wired connection is no longer king. ............................

Hello cheekybuddha, Just wondering which database solution(s) you use on Linux, if you don't mind me asking.

 

[cheekybuddha]

Hello cheekybuddha, Just wondering which database solution(s) you use on Linux, if you don't mind me asking.

Mainly MySQL, but I also have a couple of VM's with Postgres and SQLServer Express installed.

 

[Cotswold]

Mainly MySQL, but I also have a couple of VM's with Postgres and SQLServer Express installed.

What I meant to ask was, which FE on your Linux?

 

[cheekybuddha]

What I meant to ask was, which FE on your Linux?

For database management I use DBeaver and (less and less) MySQL Workbench.

For interfaces, I build web frontends.

 

[Steve R.]

For database management I use DBeaver and (less and less) MySQL Workbench.

I'm running Linux (Mint 22) with MariaDB, phpMyAdmin, and Apache. Runs on my local LAN, effectively a web based system.

 

[Isaac]

Yeah, explorerpatcher is the bomb - but sad that we have to use 3rd party workarounds to "restore" functionality that Windows OS's keep taking away bit by bit

 

[Steve R.]

While this is a Windows 11 thread, Windows 10 has appeared here. Windows 10 is supposedly expiring on October 14, 2025.

Windows 10's end is coming: here's what you should do about it

End of support for Windows 10 means an upgrade could be on the cards.

www.pcgamer.com

 

[Isaac]

Another annoying thing the later the OS you go is disappearing and very hard-to-grab scroll bars everywhere. I'm like hunting for the damn thing, tickling the edge of the screen in various places, hoping to convince it to pop up and show itself - incredibly annoying

 

[stefanrobin]

I had a computer go wheels-up-in-the-ditch recently and had to get a new one. Of course, it was a Win11 Home system. You are (correctly) worried about the Windows GUI changing. I've been looking at security issues.

I've been watching some videos on some the things already in Win 11 and some things that will be coming down the road. Among other "gotchas" is that Win 11 REALLY wants you to have a Microsoft account and a future patch is reputed to REQUIRE that you have an MS account before you can make a local account on your own machine. There the "copilot Recall" feature that, when it is downloaded in a coming patch and if you don't turn it off, it will take a snapshot of your screen every 3 seconds (and keep it for a couple of months). There is a thing (probably related to Windows Defender) where they want to "protect" your files by encrypting your disk with Bitlocker. The catch is that you had better take good notes on encryption keys because if you DO get Bitlockered by Microsoft, you will have to log in to your MS account to get the decryption key. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent the Recall and Bitlocker features. I saw one method for new Win 11 startups (like, take it home from the store and boot for the first time) that would allow you to say "NO" to the Microsoft account requirement, but MS won't like it. They are already plugging the holes.

I've so far had to "adjust" topics on Windows Update Delivery Optimization (which includes the ability to download updates from another PC); Disallowing On-Line sign-up for WiFi Hotspot 2.0; Inking Personalization (intrusive record-keeping possible); External manipulation of your Location options; Turning off Cortana; Turning off CoPilot... and the list goes on. The Win 11 OS is secure from almost everyone - including you but NOT including MS itself. That realization of how intrusive they have become REALLY ticked me off.

In the past month I must have seen over a dozen entries on how MS has chosen options that essentially bring into question whether they believe that the computer you bought really belongs to you. If it is Win 11, the doubt factors are significant. You have so many privacy options to consider that it is almost nauseating, but what is worse is that some personalizations in the Privacy section lead to interference with web sites that allow public commenting. So far sites like this one are not affected, but - as a simple example - Yahoo News comments are now dead to me because of their third-party co-hosting.

I looked at around for a while and couldn't find any retail keys for win 11 so I bought one for 25 bucks. I have a feeling when I swap hardware it's going to act up causing me to need to call Microsoft and haggle them to accept the key even though it may be "tied" to the hardware it was first installed on. What key are you guys using? Is it OEM or retail? How much did you pay for it? Where did you buy it? Do you know where they sell retail keys for cheap? Is there still a OEM or retail option like before? The whole point of a retail key is you can install unlimited times with no issue. The OEM key gets tied to the same hardware and no swapping is allowed. Any info guys?

 

[Gasman]

I got Office 2019 from these people.

Buy Microsoft Windows 11 Home | Flixeasy

Buy Microsoft Windows 11 Home key online at Flixeasy, reduced price, Onetime Purchase, Instant Delivery via Email and lifetime activation

flixeasy.com

 

[Isaac]

Software Repair World - Leading Market Place for Software

Microsoft Windows 10 Recovery USB, Windows 11 Recovery USB, Microsoft Office 2021 Lifetime, Microsoft Windows 10 License, Microsoft Windows 11 Software Repair World

www.softwarerepairworld.com

I use these people for all my cheap software. My favorites are the Microsoft office between 2007 and 2016 for like 15 bucks

 

[Cotswold]

It would be helpful if the ever anti-social Microsoft told us when it was loading their (unwanted) updates.

Whilst that is happening we often experience a serious slow down, particularly if running a search. Or even opening a website.
We only know about the update when we close down. I would also prefer to choose if I want any updates at all because I suspect that most of them will be to Microsoft's advantage and not ours.

Just a message in the taskbar that they have decided to upload without permission would be good.
Also, why not ask it can happen now, or later? The drag on the system can be quite concerning at the time.

 

[Gasman]

Well it seems that despite adding various entries to the registry, I am not getting 24H2 offered?

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate]
"ProductVersion"="Windows 11"
"TargetReleaseVersion"=dword:00000001
"TargetReleaseVersionInfo"="24H2"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU]
"NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers"=dword:00000001

 

[KitaYama]

(unwanted) updates.

As far as I remember, Microsoft has always allowed to prevent Windows Updates since Windows95 on its pro versions.
For Windows 11, 10, there are several ways to prevent updates.
For example : Using Group Policy
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage end user experience
Double click Configure Automatic Updates and set it to Disable.

Your OS will never be updated, unless you do it manually.

In Home versions, there are registry methods, or terminating and disabling Update service.
Though if you update to a major version manually, they may be enabled, but disabling them is not a hustle.

Also, why not ask it can happen now, or later?

It always asks me. Have you changed any settings?
You may want to check for your Active Hours settings.

 

[The_Doc_Man]

I looked at around for a while and couldn't find any retail keys for win 11 so I bought one for 25 bucks.

In my case, it came through my computer vendor since I was replacing a whole machine. However, I got my Office (LTSC) license through a Canadian vendor. I suspect it was selling licenses from a "corporate multi-user" base license.

 

[Isaac]

It's ridiculous how hard they have made it to avoid updates you don't want. No excuse for it

 

[The_Doc_Man]

It's ridiculous how hard they have made it to avoid updates you don't want. No excuse for it

Actually, it is easy to understand. They make it as hard as possible to avoid updates so that when you block an update and your machine gets damaged because you denied them the chance to apply a relevant patch, they have a "liability blocker" in place.

 

[AccessBlaster]

I'm a firm believer that we rent we don't own, it's an illusion.

 

[GPGeorge]

Actually, it is easy to understand. They make it as hard as possible to avoid updates so that when you block an update and your machine gets damaged because you denied them the chance to apply a relevant patch, they have a "liability blocker" in place.

Sad but true.

 

[KitaYama]

It's ridiculous how hard they have made it to avoid updates you don't want. No excuse for it

Is really changing a key in Group Policy Editor or blocking the update service to run on every boot so ridiculously hard?


I have a question for you (and others who share the same thoughts), if you don't mind.

As a database developer, you offer your database to your users to use. Later, you find bugs, holes, short comings in your code, or even add new features. After correcting your code, you issue your new version to your users, and somehow, when they open their database, their copy is updated.

As a database developer, you push your updates without asking them if they want it or not, and force them to update their version.
How comes you're against Microsoft forcing updating its products?

Now think about Microsoft has always offered a way to prevent updates, but you won't let your users, using a previous version.