New laptop and new to Win10

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Sorry can’t find an existing answer that solves my problem in Win 10 questions or a general Google so sorry for 1 more dumb question.

Over the past few years I’ve been an observer of askwoody, watching the ‘opportunities’ created by the many updates to Windows 10 from behind my bunker of Windows 7. Currently:-

System: i3 Acer laptop with 6Gb + 320Gb HDD + 2x4TB usb3 ready attached HDDs

Network: 50Mbps

Software:-

Win 7: 64bit, up-to-date using askwoody advice on monthly updates.

Security: Microsoft Security Essentials + Malwarebytes 9 for file test only.

Network: Nordvpn (deployed as necessary)

Browser: Firefox V69 (+add-ons to force https: mode and close other weak security)

Apps: Libreoffice V6.1, Foxit V9, Sony Vegas (as was), Zoner V16(free)

Now I’m being flushed out by Win 7 coming to end of life and upgrading to a new HP laptop. Having ignored 10 for so long, I’m going to be thrust straight into the cold water which so many have navigated safely. Rather than sinking under errors, I’d be really grateful for guidance and advice on how to configure the installed Win 10 to erect security defences before connecting to the Internet.

So far I’ve fully charged the battery and booted into the system and reading the T&Cs for Win 10 + McAfee and Adobe software, which appear to be pre-installed.

The new laptop will mostly be used as a desktop with external display, kb and mouse, as now.

System: HP 255 G7 Ryzen 5 8GB 256GB SSD HD 15.6in with Win10 Pro

OK, I’ve learned that I should specify Pro rather than Home to allow control of updates.

Software:

Win 10 Pro: Version? + configure Win 10 to control future software changes.

McAfee: Not required, will need to fully remove. How easy?

Adobe: Guess I’ll still need Flash but nothing else.

Applications: Port Non-MS apps from Win 7, they’re old but I’m comfortable using them. Easy?

I was computer savvy but now very rusty on current techniques and practices and would like to create an initial ‘Win 7’ like environment.

Please could anyone direct me to the best advice available? Particularly how to install the best version of 10 (1903?) without picking up a cloud of viruses on board as well?

Thanks in advance for all the potholes you will help me avoid,

Tw

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One thing though – hardware wise, the HP 200 series is made to prioritize purchase price above pretty much everything else, and it shows if you ever try to get non-warranty repairs done on them…

Windows Pro is always recommended over Home, the update controls are just one of many issues…

Best way to install a specific build, is to beforehand on a different machine download the installer .iso for that branch to an offline file, and also download the desired cumulative update and servicing stack update. Put these on a handy USB drive or something. McAfee has had a separate remover tool that may be needed to remove it, download that as well.
Could also download security software and other necessities already as offline installers. Check and scan everything downloaded just to be sure.

Then, start the computer and create initial user account without connecting to the network.
Remove any unwanted online-oriented software before they get a chance to update themselves from the network. (Learned that the hard way with McAfee once – this might the best stage to run the remover tool…)

Then install the updates – branch, SSU, cumulative. Windows may complain about activation but there’s a “grace time”… maybe install the other stuff you got offline packages for, too.

Optionally disable various online-oriented things that may have come with the Windows branch update before they get the chance to do anything.

Only after that, go online, do the activation and whatever.

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[CADesertRat]

Toodel-who wrote:

Applications: Port Non-MS apps from Win 7, they’re old but I’m comfortable using them. Easy?

I would look for W10 drivers for any W7 software that I wanted to install on W10 and put them on a USB stick. Depending on your software, you may not be able to use it on W10.

Toodel-who wrote:

Win 10 Pro: Version? + configure Win 10 to control future software changes.

Before hooking up to the internet, type winver into search to see what version and build that you are on. If you want to stay there before getting updates (since you are on Pro) follow this.
In the search box type in gpedit.
Click to launch the local group policy editor that is offered up.
Find the Local Computer policy, then computer configuration and open up the administrative templates tab.
Find the windows components section and scroll all the way down to Windows updates.
Now find the Windows update for business folder in the right hand side of the pane and click to expand.
You’ll see the select when preview builds and feature updates are received.
Open it up.
Enable the setting and choose semi-annual channel and then you can choose to push off feature updates for up to 365 days.
Hope this helps

[Moderator edit] removed HTML.

Don't take yourself so seriously, no one else does
All W10 Pro at 22H2,(2 Desktops, 1 Laptop).

• This reply was modified 5 years, 8 months ago by CADesertRat.

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Toodel-who wrote:

Adobe: Guess I’ll still need Flash but nothing else

You do not need Flash. Uninstall it if it’s installed. HTML5 replaced Flash a long time ago.

Toodel-who wrote:

McAfee: Not required, will need to fully remove. How easy?

You can safely run Windows Defender instead. McAfee should just be a standard uninstall.

And, of course, backup the new machine to an external USB disk using one of the free backup programs before you let it anywhere near Windows Update.
Take another backup after it is updated and seems stable.

cheers, Paul

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Ditch the flash and also Java if you have it installed. Haven’t had it on our systems for years and haven’t missed it. I always uninstall Mcafee products and then run their removal tool https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/mcafee-consumer-products-removal-tool/

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If you really want rid of McAfee you uninstall it once using the normal method in Settings using Windows 10 or Programs and Features using Windows 7. The McAfee removal tool is supposed to perform a deep cleaning of remnants.

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Well yes, you need to know what you’ll need.

anonymous wrote:

Ditch the flash and also Java if you have it installed.

EXCEPT if you know you’re still using one of those things that need either.

Remove it if you don’t know you’ll need it. Can always put it back later.

anonymous wrote:

If you really want rid of McAfee you uninstall it once using the normal method in Settings using Windows 10 or Programs and Features using Windows 7.

Except they had a buggy installer/uninstaller in some versions, that *did* appear as preloaded on some PCs… don’t remember which… that always required the special tool.

And it could cause nasty problems if it was only half uninstalled like the standard removal did, and you installed another third-party security products…

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[EP]

there were some Mcafee stuff pre-installed on my family’s & on my relative’s Dell Inspiron computers (back in the Win7 days) and had to use the Mcafee removal tool to completely get rid of them. I’m pretty sure Mcafee was pre-installed on many DELL computers

• This reply was modified 5 years, 8 months ago by EP.

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Fortunately McAfee Livesafe’s uninstaller as of this reply’s date has been working well enough for years, even McAfee recommends using the removal tool.

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Less than 2 years since I last ran into a version that required a fresh version of the removal tool. Was preloaded on a Windows 10 laptop.

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Prepping for any anti-virus uninstall, the fresh download of the removal tool if it can be found a requirement every time.  That reason is why I told the poster to use it a matter of best practice.

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Sorry not to have been in touch with my own thread for the last few weeks but had a medical “opportunity”. Now will have a few more weeks for R&R then hopefully back on-line.

Tw

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