Win10Pro,i9,64GB,2TBSSD+20TBHDDs,1080TI,BIAB'24,Scarlett18i8,Montage7,Fusion 8HD,QS8,Integra7,XV5080,QSR,SC-8850,SPLAT,FL21&others,Komp.14,IK suite&others, just a guitar player-AXE FX III &FM9T, FishmanTP, MIDIGuitar2, GK2/3'sw/GI20
I really wanted to upgrade my laptop to Win10 (in fact, I did for awhile). But HP couldn't be bothered to provide a compatible video driver for my machine (well they actually didn't provide it for Windows 8 and so by extension for Win10 also), and the fingerprint reader and HDMI port stop working (again, drivers). And a few other things didn't work right. Even after spending a long time looking for alternate solutions and fixes, the best solution for getting on with being productive was reverting back to Win7.
The good news is that since at least I had done the initial Win10 upgrade, my machine is already in their registration database. So come 2020, I'll be able to either buy a new laptop or re-upgrade to Win10 and just live with the limitations for awhile.
But for now, I'll keep it at Win7 as it is rock solid.
I'm not anti-Win10 (my two desktops are Win10), just pragmatic. I gave Win10 the old college try (on my laptop), but Win7 sits more comfortably on it.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA
I really wanted to upgrade my laptop to Win10 (in fact, I did for awhile). But HP couldn't be bothered to provide a compatible video driver for my machine. <snipped>
Bro, how old is that laptop?
I am at a level of nerd that I actually LOOK for reasons to buy new computers. Since Windows 10 came out I bought 2 new towers and a new laptop. It's only money, and I can't keep a cent when I'm dead.
While some folks can just go out and buy new computers as it suits them, that is not my situation. And all it would have taken was for HP to literally spend 5 minutes on new drivers, but they didn't (and said they wouldn't), because they would rather sell a new computer. And this was not a cheap laptop to start with.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA
I'm still using a Dell Latitude laptop with Windows XP and another, slightly newer, with Win 7, my other laptops and my desktop are now all Win 10.
However, even my new home built Win 10 desktop has MULTIPLE Windows XP and Windows 7 VM's eating up space on my SSD.
All these older OS's are mainly due to customer support requirements but I still prefer Win 7 over Win 10.
Larry
Win10Pro,i9,64GB,2TBSSD+20TBHDDs,1080TI,BIAB'24,Scarlett18i8,Montage7,Fusion 8HD,QS8,Integra7,XV5080,QSR,SC-8850,SPLAT,FL21&others,Komp.14,IK suite&others, just a guitar player-AXE FX III &FM9T, FishmanTP, MIDIGuitar2, GK2/3'sw/GI20
While I've been (for the most part) happy with Win10, I prefer Win7 as well; it's one of the reasons why I use Stardock Start10 as a replacement Start menu on my Win10 machines.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA
Well, if it's any consolation..... I'm still using XP Pro 32bit with SP3 on my DAW. The machine is totally 64 bit capable with quad cores and all that.... but.... if it ain't broke.... why fix it? Right?
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 03/13/1909:48 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Larry: And while it's for nostalgia more than productivity, I've got VMWare Desktop (an older version) running on the same laptop so I can run MS-DOS 6.22, Windows for Workgropus 3.11, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows XP Pro, Windows Vista, Windows 8, and Ubuntu Linux. Those images are all on a 1TB eSATA drive connected to the laptop.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA
And yes, Windows 10 is a pain. It is just a different sort of pain.
I guess the precise number is not known but somewhere around 129 million people are still using Windows XP.
I really don't like Windows 10 but it is better than the other choices for me.
Cheers,
Billy
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig? “Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
Well, if it's any consolation..... I'm still using XP Pro 32bit with SP3 on my Daw
I'm still using a laptop with Windows XP to run my Model Railroad out in the Garage. No sense throwing out a perfectly running computer on one hand, and no sense putting a bleeding edge piece of technology in the Garage to run trains over telephone wire. I keep the fire breather with the 2 graphic cards in my studio to edit videos.
Interesting views on versions of Windows OS. I've always been a complete geek and try to learn the new Windows versions as soon as I can. That way I can always help friends and family when they adopt. My view is that each version has got better. Sure there are some things that change that can be difficult to grasp at first. Others will mention that they do not like the "intrusions" newer versions seem to have regarding your privacy. The more you work with the new OS, the easier it becomes to use it. It's all about adapting to change. If change is difficult for your personality, the upgrade will be difficult.
I've always been a complete geek and try to learn the new Windows versions as soon as I can.
When you work in IT and have to support it, you have no choice.
Quote:
Others will mention that they do not like the "intrusions" newer versions seem to have regarding your privacy. The more you work with the new OS, the easier it becomes to use it. It's all about adapting to change. If change is difficult for your personality, the upgrade will be difficult.
And some of these people buy a house based on where they will park their horse and buggy.....
I remember when Windows 95 came out in, uh, I guess it was 95. LOL!! I was one of those idiots standing in line waiting for the store to open at midnight to buy it on the first day. I then spent 40 hours straight over a weekend with a manual on my lap listening to it beep saying "invalid command". Cursing at it like a sailor. Until I realized "Oh yeah. I did that wrong."
Some people refuse to continue learning new things. But that is just part of the microwave world we live in.
My favorite t-shirts. And yes, I own both of them.
Steve, fortunately the few friends I have are also nerds and can fix their own problems. Which is good, since they caused them.... I once charged a past girlfriend for fixing her kid's computer. She was shocked, but she paid me. Hey, 2 hours of my time is 2 hours of my time. I don't care if there are "benefits" involved or not.
I also fired her from the band we started, so.... I didn't see much of her after that.
All of this is fun but John has a legitimate issue and I'm one of the biggest proponents of using Win 10. You shouldn't have to buy another expensive laptop because HP refuses to update the stupid drivers. That's one reason why I usually build my own desktops but I've not yet seen a DIY laptop kit...
Larry: The frustration and discontent so well expressed in the video are, sadly, nearly universal among PC users required to plunk down their hard-earned cash for editions for which they don't see the need, although few of us express the feelings quite like the actor in the video. The video talks about options, but, really, most of us feel there isn't much we can do about Silicon Valley's business plans. We console ourselves with the miracle of the PC and shrug it off and, if anything, after trying the MAC option. Linux, of course, still the elusive Holy Grail. I received the news about WIN 7 last year and went ahead and bought a reconditioned laptop with WIN 10. After going through and disabling most of the touch features, it runs about like a regular computer. I'll keep the WIN 7 machine as an offline box -- a lot of years, tweaks, and money later, I could never bring the WIN 10 machine up to the standards of the old WIN 7. I doubt I am the only one who has chosen to go this route -- a so-so internet machine and a serious offline computer.
Win7 x64 user here, hated Win10 the few months I used it for the studio. For the net I am Linux 99.9% of the time.....
That was the fork in the road when I bought the reconditioned WIN 10 machine : Linux or 10 for the internet ? Down the road, we will be seeing Linux/Inrupt/Solid. It has reached that point. Incidentally, I've noticed an increase in registry activity noted by CC Cleaner upon logging off. Not a lot, but just a few issues to be deleted, usually connected to Edge and Explorer, neither of which I use. Never used to happen with 7.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
Playable RealTracks Set 5
RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
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