Hi colleagues. Maybe this item is discussed already here, but I coundn't find: Microsoft is annoucing to end the supporting of Windows 10, so one should update to Windows 11. I tested with the tool of Microsoft, that my PC for music production is not suitable for Windows 11, because of too old processors. There's memory enough, but updating processors is unpractical. Have you solutions for this? Should I stick with Windows 10 and work off-line as much as possible? Should I move to Linux operating system? Thank you in advance for your ideas.
I'd stay with Windows 10. If everything is working fine, there is no reason to change it. Presumably, after all these years and all the updates that Windows 10 has had, it should be a pretty sturdy operating system now. If you use Windows as your antivirus software, you should probably move to a third party because I suspect that there will be no more updates for the Windows antivirus stuff.
Support and updates may stop for Windows 10, but it will still work perfectly well. Just make sure that you keep up with 'moving targets' like A/V software protection and you will be heading in the right direction.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
I've always tended to keep my dedicated music computer offline and that's what I'll continue to do with the Windows Ten machine I use now. I get online with a basic PC running Ubuntu.
the Insolent Lad Enough small empty boxes thrown into a big empty box fill it full. ~Carl Sandburg
I've moved to Fedora Kinoite for my day-to-day and gaming computers, and macOS for music production. I've still got a couple Windows 10 machines, which as others have suggested I'll be keeping an eye on whether the built-in antivirus definitions stay updated, and if not I'll move to a third party solution. Otherwise I'd suggest keeping any Win10 machines offline.
Otherwise I'd suggest keeping any Win10 machines offline.
It's good advice, though we can sometimes get a bit paranoid.
I occasionally give talks on PC security ... nothing deep ... and I tend to start pretty much the following as an intro:
The weakest link in any security system is the people. This means you.
Don't be paranoid, but maybe behave a little as though you are.
Be sensible about what websites you visit.
Don't click on links in emails unless you're very sure the email is genuine and even then, for preference, go directly to the website by your own route and log in by your usual way and carry out whatever actions then and there.
The usual caveats about passwords and the like are more about protecting your data on the 'Net than protecting your PC from malware.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2025 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
Otherwise I'd suggest keeping any Win10 machines offline.
It's good advice, though we can sometimes get a bit paranoid.
Indeed, however as a representative of this company my official recommendation is to keep your computers up to date if they're online. My personal recommendation is to not use Windows, being that far fewer exploits target non-MS systems given their ~70% share of the desktop OS market.
Originally Posted by Gordon Scott
The weakest link in any security system is the people. This means you.
Don't be paranoid, but maybe behave a little as though you are.
Be sensible about what websites you visit.
Don't click on links in emails unless you're very sure the email is genuine and even then, for preference, go directly to the website by your own route and log in by your usual way and carry out whatever actions then and there.
The usual caveats about passwords and the like are more about protecting your data on the 'Net than protecting your PC from malware.
easy solution...pc's are now really cheap. use 2 pc's.
...my win music production pc dont see the net. ..i bought a neato 140 buck no fan hold in ones hand mini pc for the net from minisforum...no bloat/runs like champ/fast boot/...etc...and eats up net activities....surfing etc. i'm useing it now to type my suggestions.
my recommendation also for family finances use a pc thats sandboxed like my music pc is...dont put it on the net. refurb pc's can be found for under 100 bucks from quality vendors like lenovo etc.
ps no probs with w10 here....done a slew of songs useing it....day in/out. (see my sig for some songs done with w10.)
hth.
om
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
Indeed, however as a representative of this company my official recommendation is to keep your computers up to date if they're online.
Oh of course, yes. I forgot you have another imperative.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2025 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
Windows 10 (64bit) M-Audio Fast Track Pro, Band in a Box 2025, Cubase 14, Cakewalk and far too many VST plugins that I probably don't need or will ever use
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