Congrats on baiting me to reply. After seeing some of your other posts, I don't think I will be wasting my time looking at your postings on this topic anymore.
People are still harping on about how secure Win 7 is. Ok, ok. Let's be clear: the only reason you have any security is because of a hardware solution - not the OS. So this is where I call you out and say that same solution can be used on Win 8, Win 8.1, Win 10 and yes even Win 11.
Does Win 10 take over your PC and stop you from doing things because of constant updates? No. That aggressive policy died out several years ago. Users have far more control than they original had. Is Win 11 (and I am using it now, and have been since the first beta) secure? Yes. Is it aggressive and stopping you from using your machine or playing games? No. You choose when to apply your updates.
But I'm going to stop with the facts, because the truth is - whilst you can lead a horse to water, your can't force them to drink it.
Cryptic are doing the right thing, and they are doing the same thing other MMO's have done as well. Star Trek is about progress and moving forward, it baffles me that so called fans can be so stuck in the past that they want to stop progresses from happening.
You will never convince people like richard1279 that they are misguided and they are somehow being wronged. The fallacies of the anti Microsoft crowd are so ingrained in their heads they will never listen to reason. The truth is they are comfortable with WIN7 and are afraid of upgrading because they aren't savvy enough to use WIN10 so they use every excuse not to upgrade.
You will never convince people like richard1279 that they are misguided and they are somehow being wronged. The fallacies of the anti Microsoft crowd are so ingrained in their heads they will never listen to reason. The truth is they are comfortable with WIN7 and are afraid of upgrading because they aren't savvy enough to use WIN10 so they use every excuse not to upgrade.
Thank you.
I know, and I also know that they are a small minority of players.
People ask how long have I been playing STO - well the answer is simple: I have been here since the beginning. I just haven't always had a lot to say.
If people are upset about this. Imagine some in the situation, like myself, that don't meet the Windows 11 minimum requirements because my Ryzen 7 2700X is Zen + and not the minimum, Zen 2, even though it runs perfectly fine through out the whole Insiders testing phase.
Personally, I didn't like Windows 10. 8.1 was okay but I also liked Windows 8 when it didn't have a start button. Metro UI was way ahead of its time in my opinion. Windows 7 and earlier just look horrific by today's standards but there are plenty of ways to alter the UI to achieve what is know as, the "Classic" look.
The irony of it all though... Is STO's game engine dates back about half a decade before STO even launched. When is that going to get a significant update?!? Personally, Cryptic's engine should have been retired before STO ever launched, but that this a mistake we are plagued by to this day.
If people are upset about this. Imagine some in the situation, like myself, that don't meet the Windows 11 minimum requirements because my Ryzen 7 2700X is Zen + and not the minimum, Zen 2, even though it runs perfectly fine through out the whole Insiders testing phase.
Personally, I didn't like Windows 10. 8.1 was okay but I also liked Windows 8 when it didn't have a start button. Metro UI was way ahead of its time in my opinion. Windows 7 and earlier just look horrific by today's standards but there are plenty of ways to alter the UI to achieve what is know as, the "Classic" look.
The irony of it all though... Is STO's game engine dates back about half a decade before STO even launched. When is that going to get a significant update?!? Personally, Cryptic's engine should have been retired before STO ever launched, but that this a mistake we are plagued by to this day.
Actually, most computers will not be able to run Windows 11 since like cars the average computer is not brand new and Win11 will not run most machines older than three years or so because they lack the version of "security" chip that it requires.
The problem with switching to a new engine is that it takes about the same amount of time, effort, and funding that starting a new game does. It would be great if they rewrote it (or went to another engine) that can handle Vulkan but I doubt PWE would authorize it.
I know this will be a waste of time.. but I'll try.
To all you tin foil hat lunatics going on about how Windows 10 steals all your information you should probably start basing your opinion more on actual research and fact and less on what Joe Bob's YouTube Video said.
To preface this, I am not an expert in PC Security. I work in the IT Space, but I am a Mainframe person and specialize in that. Still, I work in a large data center with a variety of other technical staff including our firewall and platform security teams. All of them run Windows 10 on their personal devices.. all of them. Why? Because it's plenty secure, and anything you're uneasy about can be easily fixed with a simple freeware tool. I base my decision on input from people that actually know what they're talking about, any of this information can be found with a little research into OS personal security.
There is a free tool called ShutUp10 that you run on your computer and you can disable any Microsoft tracking with one mouse click. It's seriously so easy that even some of the brain dead idiots in this thread pretending to be experts could do it. It takes 2 seconds, and gives you any level of security you want ranging from open door to 'bank vault.' You an defer Windows Upgrades or disable them completely.. the tool lets you change anything you like if you're not comfortable with Windows default settings.
As for the last bit.. Microsoft stealing your information.. will you morons just take 5 seconds to form a rational thought? Do you know how big of a company Microsoft is? Do you have any idea what type of exposure they would face if they were stealing private data? Do you really think that with all the scrutiny, they could do it and avoid getting caught? Would it be worth the risk of getting shut down by the Federal Government?
Yes, by default they track web traffic and use it for targeted advertisements.. do I agree with this? No.. is it the end of the world? No. People equate this to stealing your bank account information or harvesting your SSN and it's frankly ridiculous. If you don't want targeted advertisements, use the tool linked above. Microsoft is required by law to make tracking features optional. They are not however, required to make it easy to disable, they just have to give you the option. The tool just makes it easy to do everything in one easy click.
I loved Windows 7, I used it for years, and I resisted the initial push to upgrade to Windows 10 due to a lot of the same baseless fears that people apparently still have today. Yes, in the early days, updates were intrusive, that has been fixed. People took the fact that it tracks some web traffic for advertisements and equated it to the OS stealing your identity and people believed it.. and apparently still do. If security is your main reason to use Windows 7.. you're an idiot. Windows 7 support was officially discontinued on January 14, 2020 and since that time your PC has not been getting security updates of any type. Microsoft themselves say that Windows 7 is no longer secure and if you think using an OS that's been unsupported for almost 2 years now is the path to security then you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.
Actually, most computers will not be able to run Windows 11 since like cars the average computer is not brand new and Win11 will not run most machines older than three years or so because they lack the version of "security" chip that it requires.
Rubbish!
My PC is six years old and will run it fine (does run it fine). TMP chips are not that new, they've been around for a while. Even if you don't meet the min requirements for 11, it's not like Win 10 is going to stop next month. You've got a few years left to use it before MS stop supporting it.
People ask how long have I been playing STO - well the answer is simple: I have been here since the beginning. I just haven't always had a lot to say.
I know this will be a waste of time.. but I'll try.
To all you tin foil hat lunatics going on about how Windows 10 steals all your information you should probably start basing your opinion more on actual research and fact and less on what Joe Bob's YouTube Video said.
To preface this, I am not an expert in PC Security. I work in the IT Space, but I am a Mainframe person and specialize in that. Still, I work in a large data center with a variety of other technical staff including our firewall and platform security teams. All of them run Windows 10 on their personal devices.. all of them. Why? Because it's plenty secure, and anything you're uneasy about can be easily fixed with a simple freeware tool. I base my decision on input from people that actually know what they're talking about, any of this information can be found with a little research into OS personal security.
There is a free tool called ShutUp10 that you run on your computer and you can disable any Microsoft tracking with one mouse click. It's seriously so easy that even some of the brain dead idiots in this thread pretending to be experts could do it. It takes 2 seconds, and gives you any level of security you want ranging from open door to 'bank vault.' You an defer Windows Upgrades or disable them completely.. the tool lets you change anything you like if you're not comfortable with Windows default settings.
As for the last bit.. Microsoft stealing your information.. will you morons just take 5 seconds to form a rational thought? Do you know how big of a company Microsoft is? Do you have any idea what type of exposure they would face if they were stealing private data? Do you really think that with all the scrutiny, they could do it and avoid getting caught? Would it be worth the risk of getting shut down by the Federal Government?
Yes, by default they track web traffic and use it for targeted advertisements.. do I agree with this? No.. is it the end of the world? No. People equate this to stealing your bank account information or harvesting your SSN and it's frankly ridiculous. If you don't want targeted advertisements, use the tool linked above. Microsoft is required by law to make tracking features optional. They are not however, required to make it easy to disable, they just have to give you the option. The tool just makes it easy to do everything in one easy click.
I loved Windows 7, I used it for years, and I resisted the initial push to upgrade to Windows 10 due to a lot of the same baseless fears that people apparently still have today. Yes, in the early days, updates were intrusive, that has been fixed. People took the fact that it tracks some web traffic for advertisements and equated it to the OS stealing your identity and people believed it.. and apparently still do. If security is your main reason to use Windows 7.. you're an idiot. Windows 7 support was officially discontinued on January 14, 2020 and since that time your PC has not been getting security updates of any type. Microsoft themselves say that Windows 7 is no longer secure and if you think using an OS that's been unsupported for almost 2 years now is the path to security then you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.
Upgrade your OS already, stop being idiots.
Well said. Shutup10 is actual more like 3 or 4 clicks, which might be far to much for some people here, but it works, quite well. Like you I loved WIN7 and resisted upgrading, but when my old system died and I needed a new one I knew I had to make the transition to WIN10. These days there are zero reasons not to move from WIN7 to WIN10, none.
I know this will be a waste of time.. but I'll try.
To all you tin foil hat lunatics going on about how Windows 10 steals all your information you should probably start basing your opinion more on actual research and fact and less on what Joe Bob's YouTube Video said.
To preface this, I am not an expert in PC Security. I work in the IT Space, but I am a Mainframe person and specialize in that. Still, I work in a large data center with a variety of other technical staff including our firewall and platform security teams. All of them run Windows 10 on their personal devices.. all of them. Why? Because it's plenty secure, and anything you're uneasy about can be easily fixed with a simple freeware tool. I base my decision on input from people that actually know what they're talking about, any of this information can be found with a little research into OS personal security.
There is a free tool called ShutUp10 that you run on your computer and you can disable any Microsoft tracking with one mouse click. It's seriously so easy that even some of the brain dead idiots in this thread pretending to be experts could do it. It takes 2 seconds, and gives you any level of security you want ranging from open door to 'bank vault.' You an defer Windows Upgrades or disable them completely.. the tool lets you change anything you like if you're not comfortable with Windows default settings.
As for the last bit.. Microsoft stealing your information.. will you morons just take 5 seconds to form a rational thought? Do you know how big of a company Microsoft is? Do you have any idea what type of exposure they would face if they were stealing private data? Do you really think that with all the scrutiny, they could do it and avoid getting caught? Would it be worth the risk of getting shut down by the Federal Government?
Yes, by default they track web traffic and use it for targeted advertisements.. do I agree with this? No.. is it the end of the world? No. People equate this to stealing your bank account information or harvesting your SSN and it's frankly ridiculous. If you don't want targeted advertisements, use the tool linked above. Microsoft is required by law to make tracking features optional. They are not however, required to make it easy to disable, they just have to give you the option. The tool just makes it easy to do everything in one easy click.
I loved Windows 7, I used it for years, and I resisted the initial push to upgrade to Windows 10 due to a lot of the same baseless fears that people apparently still have today. Yes, in the early days, updates were intrusive, that has been fixed. People took the fact that it tracks some web traffic for advertisements and equated it to the OS stealing your identity and people believed it.. and apparently still do. If security is your main reason to use Windows 7.. you're an idiot. Windows 7 support was officially discontinued on January 14, 2020 and since that time your PC has not been getting security updates of any type. Microsoft themselves say that Windows 7 is no longer secure and if you think using an OS that's been unsupported for almost 2 years now is the path to security then you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.
Upgrade your OS already, stop being idiots.
Well said. Shutup10 is actual more like 3 or 4 clicks, which might be far to much for some people here, but it works, quite well. Like you I loved WIN7 and resisted upgrading, but when my old system died and I needed a new one I knew I had to make the transition to WIN10. These days there are zero reasons not to move from WIN7 to WIN10, none.
Ditto. There's no reason to not update. I upgraded to WIN10 as soon as I could and it ran games better than 7, and way faster than 8.
As for the 'MS is stealing data'....really?? Besides the fact MS would be facing multiple lawsuits etc, which they aren't, it wouldn't affect my life one iota! Folk claiming foul are as bad as the anti-vaxx/5G/microchip crowd.
"You don't want to patrol!? You don't want to escort!? You don't want to defend the Federation's Starbases!? Then why are you flying my Starships!? If you were a Klingon you'd be killed on the spot, but lucky for you.....you WERE in Starfleet. Let's see how New Zealand Penal Colony suits you." Adm A. Necheyev.
Ditto. There's no reason to not update. I upgraded to WIN10 as soon as I could and it ran games better than 7, and way faster than 8.
As for the 'MS is stealing data'....really?? Besides the fact MS would be facing multiple lawsuits etc, which they aren't, it wouldn't affect my life one iota! Folk claiming foul are as bad as the anti-vaxx/5G/microchip crowd.
Windows 8 and 10 are just terrible OSes and I'm not compromising on my entire computer's UX just to run a single game. Literally everything else I could want to run here works perfectly even when their recommended OS is W8, W8.1 or W10.
Hard locking players from even TRYING to patch or run the game is a poor and unjustifiable decision, and it isn't going to bring the kind of significant improvement to the table that could make it less outrageous. There are literally thousands of games out there that run far better than STO does without having to resort to locking W7 players out completely. Games with better graphics, smoother gameplay, greater complexity and less bugs/glitches.
This isn't a sacrifice devs have to make, it's just one they want to make in order to ignore the current optimization issues on lower end PCs entirely. And before you ask, no I'm not running a potato computer. I'm running a desktop that'd be more than capable of using 10 without problems if I were actually masochistic enough to try and sacrifice the resources and usability for the sake of supporting Microsoft's horrible decisions.
I'm only glad I started the game not so long ago and don't have too much time, money or emotional investment into it. I don't want to offer my support to developers who make decisions of this kind in any way, shape or form.
TL;DR this is MS pandering at its finest, not a necessary step for quality of life.
Sure man. I'll upgrade from Ubuntu18 to Ubuntu22 next year, don't worry If the game still works on my 5years old i7 (it seems to support DX12) fine, if not... well you know, there are things more important than a videogame. Not going to buy a new computer until this one is broken and that (in my case) usually takes an average of 10 years.
Welp, time to move across to the private indy STO servers then. No way I'm leaving Windows 7 in this lifetime, too many essential programs I use for work do not function on W8 and above.
Windows 8 and 10 are just terrible OSes and I'm not compromising on my entire computer's UX just to run a single game. Literally everything else I could want to run here works perfectly even when their recommended OS is W8, W8.1 or W10.
Hard locking players from even TRYING to patch or run the game is a poor and unjustifiable decision, and it isn't going to bring the kind of significant improvement to the table that could make it less outrageous. There are literally thousands of games out there that run far better than STO does without having to resort to locking W7 players out completely. Games with better graphics, smoother gameplay, greater complexity and less bugs/glitches.
This isn't a sacrifice devs have to make, it's just one they want to make in order to ignore the current optimization issues on lower end PCs entirely. And before you ask, no I'm not running a potato computer. I'm running a desktop that'd be more than capable of using 10 without problems if I were actually masochistic enough to try and sacrifice the resources and usability for the sake of supporting Microsoft's horrible decisions.
I'm only glad I started the game not so long ago and don't have too much time, money or emotional investment into it. I don't want to offer my support to developers who make decisions of this kind in any way, shape or form.
TL;DR this is MS pandering at its finest, not a necessary step for quality of life.
A fine display of ignorance.
Yes, when Windows 10 first hit, there were some programs that actually took a performance hit when being run under 10 vs. 7 or 8. In fact, for a while, Windows 8.1 remained the quickest of all MS OS'es in averages as well as in boot up times. But good news people.. and hold on for this shocking bit of news..
It's not 2015 anymore!
That's right, Windows 10 has received a ton of optimizations and on average is now faster in most applications then even Windows 8.1 and both leave Windows 7 well behind. Even in applications where a difference can be measured it's often within single digit percentages and are rarely even comprehensible outside of synthetic benchmarks. But hey.. don't let facts derail your ignorance. In fact, if Windows 10 has a big drawback it's that it only matches or barely exceeds Windows 7's overall performance. While it's not a significant jump outside of boot times, it's certainly not a step back.
The only time you will see increased performance on a Windows 7 machine is when running older hardware using drivers that were never updated for Windows 10. Windows 10 can use older hardware and adapt the Windows 7 drivers, but performance on these devices often suffers. The good news is, this hardware is all over a decade old and has no practical use today anyway.
Windows 10 comes with faster and more efficient performance on average, more economical use of memory and disk space, and increased security (SmartScreen, Windows Defender, encryption coupled with regular updates.) File Explorer is more efficient then Windows 7's file system, DirectX 12 support offers better gaming features. Windows 10 offers better hardware support, secure boot with UEFI, support for USB 3, Bluetooth, NVME SSD Drives and offers better image scaling on high resolution displays, it's also better optimized for touchscreens if you're into that kind of thing.
People like you are the tech equivalent of Flat Earthers, it's time to update your information and stop using an OS that hasn't a security update in almost 2 years. You're not smarter then everyone else, you don't know something others don't, you just make yourself look uninformed.
As for MS Pandering.. are you really trying to imply that Microsoft is leaning on Cryptic to drop Windows 7 support?
IS Star Trek Online playable on DOS? No? I didn't think so. This was a very foolish comment to a very valid argument!
It's not really any surprise the joke went right over your paranoia fueled mind.
It's not paranoia to want to have privacy and security, especially with your computer. Until Microsoft stops acting like windows is a service, rather than the property it is, and respects the laws, I may be forced to use it, but I don't have to be quiet about their illegal use of an EULA, or stop reminding people why they should not trust windows10. And to have STO management force this is all manner of wrong.
Congrats on baiting me to reply. After seeing some of your other posts, I don't think I will be wasting my time looking at your postings on this topic anymore.
Um - if you think they (Microsoft) didn't/don't have the capability to look at your Windows 7 when you're on the net - Hahahaha! They have avenues into every Windows OS they've developed. Win10 doesn't have any more or any less 'Microsoft spying' ability then Windows 7 had. Quit watching Youtube conspiracy videos. If anything Windows 7 is WAY more vulnerable across the board because the codebase has been available to the hacking community for a few more years than Windows 10.
You want to beliebe you're 'safer' on the net with Windows 7, be my guest. But the reality is, you're not.
Formerly known as Armsman from June 2008 to June 20, 2012 PWE ARC Drone says: "Your STO forum community as you have known it is ended...Display names are irrelevant...Any further sense of community is irrelevant...Resistance is futile...You will be assimilated..."
Actually, most computers will not be able to run Windows 11 since like cars the average computer is not brand new and Win11 will not run most machines older than three years or so because they lack the version of "security" chip that it requires.
Rubbish!
My PC is six years old and will run it fine (does run it fine). TMP chips are not that new, they've been around for a while. Even if you don't meet the min requirements for 11, it's not like Win 10 is going to stop next month. You've got a few years left to use it before MS stop supporting it.
While it is true that TPM 2.0 debuted in 2016 and most motherboards since then have them, the implementations of the specification were not very well aligned and it took several years for the chip companies to hammer out their differences so not every TMP 2.0 system reads as compliant to Windows 11 even though they technically conform to the spec and function well enough.
Admittedly, that could just be a bump in the road that gets fixed quickly on Microsoft's end, but at the moment a lot of people are finding out with the PC Health Checkup app that their machine is not compliant because of its TPM 2.0 implementation or other hardware issues even if they seem to be eligible to run it from the simple version of the hardware requirement list.
one thing to ask in here do you all think a more soft reply to those not wanting to move on for what ever reason is available.
Rather than the defalt name calling for those who are not shall we say with it for the current generations of operating systems?
Just a thought fill free to ignore me and have at it.
No, you're right.
It's not the lack of knowledge that's the problem, it's the childish and demanding tone mixed with all the grand conspiracy theories that really gets things heated. Either way though, you're right, you're not going to convince some of these people and it's just fueling a pointless debate to even try.
The changes are coming rather anyone likes it or not. Those who are not compliant will have to make a decision and that's their business. For those considering an OS change though, Windows 10 is a perfectly fine and safe OS. To those that choose to stay on Windows 7, well.. enjoy the remaining games you can still play. Hopefully, one day you realize that you're going to need to move on if you want to enjoy modern features and titles.
Actually, most computers will not be able to run Windows 11 since like cars the average computer is not brand new and Win11 will not run most machines older than three years or so because they lack the version of "security" chip that it requires.
Rubbish!
My PC is six years old and will run it fine (does run it fine). TMP chips are not that new, they've been around for a while. Even if you don't meet the min requirements for 11, it's not like Win 10 is going to stop next month. You've got a few years left to use it before MS stop supporting it.
While it is true that TPM 2.0 debuted in 2016 and most motherboards since then have them, the implementations of the specification were not very well aligned and it took several years for the chip companies to hammer out their differences so not every TMP 2.0 system reads as compliant to Windows 11 even though they technically conform to the spec and function well enough.
Admittedly, that could just be a bump in the road that gets fixed quickly on Microsoft's end, but at the moment a lot of people are finding out with the PC Health Checkup app that their machine is not compliant because of its TPM 2.0 implementation or other hardware issues even if they seem to be eligible to run it from the simple version of the hardware requirement list.
The big problem is not that TMP 2.0 isn't compliant on every machine - just that it needs to be switched on. You can do that through the BIOS.
People ask how long have I been playing STO - well the answer is simple: I have been here since the beginning. I just haven't always had a lot to say.
Okay, serious question for all those won't upgrade out of a dead OS because of security...do you all own a smart phone? Use google or amazon? Or any map programs that isn't on a CD-rom? Use Netflix, Hulu or any other streaming services? Congrats, all your security issues are moot as you GAVE it all away already. Welcome to the modern world...you have no privacy because you gave it all away so you didn't have to pay 5 bucks a month to use the internet (and no this doesn't mean your ISP).
I think I agree with you? lol.
The OS is my issue because of how Microsoft has tried to illegally enforce data mining. I don't know the rules about linking to other websites, but on answers.microsoft.com's website there's a post/question titled "Why does Microsoft falsely claim that Windows is a service to justify abusing Windows owners' rights?" that explains in detail how microsoft illegally tries to use the EULA to say that, basically, Windows10 is a product that you are purchasing or otherwise receiving a license to use a single copy of, but then goes on to say they have the right to all of the information the OS accesses, as if the OS is now a service.
By extension, the smart phone and android/apple operating systems are property. BUT everything it connects to are services (all the stuff you listed, and more). But because of the way the OSes are dependent on the services, and the way these services and apps "require" access to data, unless laws are changed, one would be a fool to expect any kind of privacy while using a mobile device.
If MS had created windows 10 with the same privacy and security concerns they used on windows7 and earlier OSes, then the only real concern I would have with upgrading is the stability of windows 10. But sadly this is not the case, and I wish the STO management would give this the proper consideration it needs before demanding/forcing the upgrade.
So...let me get this straight.
You are afraid of surface level data mining...that your phone or shopping at Amazon does so much better at and you GLADLY even PAY for them to do these thing to you no less...that you will use an insecure DEAD OS?!? There was one vulnerability that was so bad that MS provided a patch for it for even windows 7, but since windows 7 became a dead OS, there has been literally over a HUNDRED security patches for the NOT dead windows versions that was not done for windows 7. Even if only half of them would apply (which is a stupidly low estimate considering that the sever issue was common in version of windows going back before windows 7 even), you are looking at several dozens of security breech issues. So you are willing to risk CC information, your social security, bank information...all of that to stop some rather MINOR data mining that can be EASILY TURNED OFF?!? Are you out of your bloody mind?!?
The last time I bought anything from Amazon was over 8 years ago. And never bought anything from ebay. My phone is an old android 4.2 which I've disabled most of google's services/apps, and any game or app that requires it. I don't use kik, snapchat, skype, discord, etc. on my phone. I don't even keep photos on it. I do keep a contact list though, and whatsapp (a necessary evil), which is the only reason why I have not disabled google play services itself, but I did not create an account for it (I downloaded whatsapp from another repository, so even when it requires updates, I'm not required to sign into, or create, a google account). I did use waze until google bought them out, at which point I removed it.
Thanks for making false assumptions
As for the the "all of that to stop some rather MINOR data mining that can be EASILY TURNED OFF?!? " I wrote a lenghty post that the mods have yet to approve, saying how a simple search for articles posted in 2020 and 2021 still say not all of it can be turned off, in the basic and pro versions of Win10, even with using 3rd party software. THAT can only be done on the education and enterprise versions of Windows10. I'm not going to assume you are a student, or have some deal with a company, or can afford windows10 Enterprise, but I will say I do not fit into either of those categories.
And this is all deflecting from the real issues at hand, brought up by the announcement. My issue being why disallow windows7 when it fully supports Direct3D version 11, when the easy compromise that at least one other poster offered would easily satisfy everyone? To be honest, the only reason cryptic SHOULD care what operating system we use is if it hampers their use of Direct3D, which, it would not, since win7 fully supports DirectX11, and all it's subsets, which includes the Direct3d version 11 subset.
PS: There have been other assumptions and arrogant people putting words in my mouth that I just won't justify a reply to. But Just to make one major point clear, I argued over security because it was brought up, but my real concern is with privacy. I've never devled into win10's security, so I cannot say with any certainty how secure it is. But, again, to repeat: My real concern with Win10 is privacy.
Um - if you think they (Microsoft) didn't/don't have the capability to look at your Windows 7 when you're on the net - Hahahaha! They have avenues into every Windows OS they've developed. Win10 doesn't have any more or any less 'Microsoft spying' ability then Windows 7 had. Quit watching Youtube conspiracy videos. If anything Windows 7 is WAY more vulnerable across the board because the codebase has been available to the hacking community for a few more years than Windows 10.
You want to beliebe you're 'safer' on the net with Windows 7, be my guest. But the reality is, you're not.
I can only assume this post is not posting because of it's length so I'll split it into parts:
Part 1
I find it interesting, how you and others pick which arguments you can argue against, but do not touch other concerns I've raised, in your defense of an operating system designed to take your data, and the data your system has stored on others. All over the net these concerns are raised. There are STILL articles being written by tech sites that all say, and I'm paraphrasing here, there is NO way to disable all of the telemetry and spying ability of windows 10, FOR THEIR BASIC AND PRO VERSIONS, unlike their education and enterprise versions, where assumably it can be done (which makes sense: what company that values their IP and general privacy/security would agree to use software that permanently allows stealing of their data?). Microsoft's own forums are littered with posts of people raising concerns and they get replies from actual microsoft staff that says, and again paraphrasing: tough! windows10 is a service and you agreed to these intrusions when you installed (which if you remember, MS did not give a HUGE number of people any option to not install it), and used the OS on your system. Which they are contradicting themselves via the same Windows10 EULA stating that windows10 is property and not a sevice.
As for programs to help disable these things, they can't, without deleting stuff and creating a case for future problems. There's no way I'm going to try to research ALL of these programs, but a couple that came up on tech websites, including microsoft's forums, all say these programs either cause damage in the long run by "Irreparably" deleting things (ie no way to restore what is removed), OR switching settings in the registry (which windows10 allows, but ignores, hence the false assurance), or both.
Um - if you think they (Microsoft) didn't/don't have the capability to look at your Windows 7 when you're on the net - Hahahaha! They have avenues into every Windows OS they've developed. Win10 doesn't have any more or any less 'Microsoft spying' ability then Windows 7 had. Quit watching Youtube conspiracy videos. If anything Windows 7 is WAY more vulnerable across the board because the codebase has been available to the hacking community for a few more years than Windows 10.
You want to beliebe you're 'safer' on the net with Windows 7, be my guest. But the reality is, you're not.
Part 2
"if you think they (Microsoft) didn't/don't have the capability to look at your Windows 7 when you're on the net - Hahahaha! They have avenues into every Windows OS they've developed." You are absolutely correct on this. MS has designed a "feature" in windows OSes from as early as winxp sp2 with hardcoded DNS domain names that will resolve to their proper IP addresses regardless of what you put into the HOSTS file; all MS addresses. BUT only on windows7 did I get certain files TRIBBLE about wanting to connect to the web, and if it doesn't, your internet gets disabled, or windows performance gets inhibited (both of these examples I've personally experienced). I've read articles on win10 doing the same. NEVER has that happened to me on windowsXP or Vista. But again, maybe you can provide proof this happened to others? Maybe personal experience from yourself (assuming you're old enough to have used vista, xp, millenium and/or 95. If not, my apologies for making the assumption)?
That is why my security software is 3RD party, and not something built into windows! Windows by itself will never be secure. Sure they may stop (or at least try to) hackers, but they don't prevent connections to the mothership, who thinks because they put it in their EULA, they have any legal carte blanche permission to a user's personal files/Data, OR files/data the user has on other people saved to their system (this is the difference between a "service" versus a "property" I mentioned in previous posts). Someone mentioned if this were all true, why have MS been allowed to get away with it. I guess the poster forgot that there WAS an outcry when people woke up to WIN10 on their system, AND a few people DID file lawsuits against them for it. I also guess the poster forgot MS has the resources to fight back and "continue the course" and weather all of our objections; making concessions here and there when they couldn't line the people's pockets with money anymore. And now we have people that KNOW everything I'm saying can be verified, but choose to live with it now, because of a sense of not having a choice (they grew up using windows, and their jobs require they use windows being 2 popular reasons). And we have people bypassing the validity of the whole argument with "yeah windows spys on you, what can you do? And anyway why are YOU so concerned about privacy? What do YOU have to hide?" As if that invalidates the concern.
Um - if you think they (Microsoft) didn't/don't have the capability to look at your Windows 7 when you're on the net - Hahahaha! They have avenues into every Windows OS they've developed. Win10 doesn't have any more or any less 'Microsoft spying' ability then Windows 7 had. Quit watching Youtube conspiracy videos. If anything Windows 7 is WAY more vulnerable across the board because the codebase has been available to the hacking community for a few more years than Windows 10.
You want to beliebe you're 'safer' on the net with Windows 7, be my guest. But the reality is, you're not.
Part 3
I am no genius, or security specialist, or God, and I NEVER implied I was one, nor do I know more than people who are. BUT I've used windowsXP up until 2015 and never got caught with ransomware or any other malady that mass infected pepole. I've even had cable technicians who wanted to use the pc comment on how fast it was at starting up, and loading their company's web pages! Don't get me wrong: in my college days (early 2000's) I've had infections that wiped out my entire system. In fact the last destructive infection my pc contracted was around 2008. Since then, along with having good 3rd party security software, I've become more vigilant, and careful, and kept my XP system more or less malware free.
And when I bought a windows7 machine a few years later, up to now I have not had any problems with malware infecting my system.
So save your (collective, not just you) fear tactics and insults. It IS possible to be secure while using an OS that's no longer supported, with some common sense and due vigilance. And you all have some audacity to think you all know any of us or can begin to comprehend all of the reasons why we either choose, or are forced to stay with, Windows7 for the time being. And with the arrogance some of you have shown here, it's moot because you don't WANT to understand. BUT I bet the moment STO or some other game you love tries to pull similar nonsense on you, you'll be up in arms too, and wondering why people can be so rude as to think they know all your reasons, valid or not, for objecting, and insinuating you're an idiot for saying anything in the first place!
Um - if you think they (Microsoft) didn't/don't have the capability to look at your Windows 7 when you're on the net - Hahahaha! They have avenues into every Windows OS they've developed. Win10 doesn't have any more or any less 'Microsoft spying' ability then Windows 7 had. Quit watching Youtube conspiracy videos. If anything Windows 7 is WAY more vulnerable across the board because the codebase has been available to the hacking community for a few more years than Windows 10.
You want to beliebe you're 'safer' on the net with Windows 7, be my guest. But the reality is, you're not.
Part 4
AND you all are doing nothing but deflecting from the topic at hand, which brought up my the issue of WHY the forced upgrade when windows7 can handle Direct3D version 11 with no issues. Or why they cannot fix the problems already existing before going all gung-ho with, as some of you assert: (paraphrasing) "keeping up with the Joneses", and adding even more problems.
Another poster raised the compromise of giving the playerbase the option to still play, using windows7 WITH the direct3D version 11 requirement. I'm still waiting for a reply from management on why this is not a doable compromise. They get to add more bugs and glitches they will never fix (a reasonable assumption: Just look at all the broken things currently in STO that's been broken/troublesome for years now), and we get to still play a game representative of a franchise we've grown up with and loved!
My sincerest apologies to everyone! I cannot believe I had to split my post so much, when others, myself included, have made lengthier posts!
Um - if you think they (Microsoft) didn't/don't have the capability to look at your Windows 7 when you're on the net - Hahahaha! They have avenues into every Windows OS they've developed. Win10 doesn't have any more or any less 'Microsoft spying' ability then Windows 7 had. Quit watching Youtube conspiracy videos. If anything Windows 7 is WAY more vulnerable across the board because the codebase has been available to the hacking community for a few more years than Windows 10.
You want to beliebe you're 'safer' on the net with Windows 7, be my guest. But the reality is, you're not.
Part 2
"if you think they (Microsoft) didn't/don't have the capability to look at your Windows 7 when you're on the net - Hahahaha! They have avenues into every Windows OS they've developed." You are absolutely correct on this. MS has designed a "feature" in windows OSes from as early as winxp sp2 with hardcoded DNS domain names that will resolve to their proper IP addresses regardless of what you put into the HOSTS file; all MS addresses. BUT only on windows7 did I get certain files TRIBBLE (gotta love STO censoring lol) about wanting to connect to the web, and if it doesn't, your internet gets disabled, or windows performance gets inhibited (both of these examples I've personally experienced). I've read articles on win10 doing the same. NEVER has that happened to me on windowsXP or Vista. But again, maybe you can provide proof this happened to others? Maybe personal experience from yourself (assuming you're old enough to have used vista, xp, millenium and/or 95. If not, my apologies for making the assumption)?
That is why my security software is 3RD party, and not something built into windows! Windows by itself will never be secure. Sure they may stop (or at least try to) hackers, but they don't prevent connections to the mothership, who thinks because they put it in their EULA, they have any legal carte blanche permission to a user's personal files/Data, OR files/data the user has on other people saved to their system (this is the difference between a "service" versus a "property" I mentioned in previous posts). Someone mentioned if this were all true, why have MS been allowed to get away with it. I guess the poster forgot that there WAS an outcry when people woke up to WIN10 on their system, AND a few people DID file lawsuits against them for it. I also guess the poster forgot MS has the resources to fight back and "continue the course" and weather all of our objections; making concessions here and there when they couldn't line the people's pockets with money anymore. And now we have people that KNOW everything I'm saying can be verified, but choose to live with it now, because of a sense of not having a choice (they grew up using windows, and their jobs require they use windows being 2 popular reasons). And we have people bypassing the validity of the whole argument with "yeah windows spys on you, what can you do? And anyway why are YOU so concerned about privacy? What do YOU have to hide?" As if that invalidates the concern.
Again, my apologies to everyone! I was rereading my posts, noticed that a word was changed to "TRIBBLE", and when I clicked on edit to fix the word, I saw the original word was there so I added the "(gotta love STO censoring lol)" in case the word should change again. And after clicking to post the edit, the whole post was removed!
Comments
It's the mobile version of the 1030 so it should as it supports DX12.
Thank you for admitting your defeat.
You will never convince people like richard1279 that they are misguided and they are somehow being wronged. The fallacies of the anti Microsoft crowd are so ingrained in their heads they will never listen to reason. The truth is they are comfortable with WIN7 and are afraid of upgrading because they aren't savvy enough to use WIN10 so they use every excuse not to upgrade.
This Trekkie won't put up with Cryptic's shoddy player treatment any more.
Thank you.
I know, and I also know that they are a small minority of players.
Personally, I didn't like Windows 10. 8.1 was okay but I also liked Windows 8 when it didn't have a start button. Metro UI was way ahead of its time in my opinion. Windows 7 and earlier just look horrific by today's standards but there are plenty of ways to alter the UI to achieve what is know as, the "Classic" look.
The irony of it all though... Is STO's game engine dates back about half a decade before STO even launched. When is that going to get a significant update?!? Personally, Cryptic's engine should have been retired before STO ever launched, but that this a mistake we are plagued by to this day.
Actually, most computers will not be able to run Windows 11 since like cars the average computer is not brand new and Win11 will not run most machines older than three years or so because they lack the version of "security" chip that it requires.
The problem with switching to a new engine is that it takes about the same amount of time, effort, and funding that starting a new game does. It would be great if they rewrote it (or went to another engine) that can handle Vulkan but I doubt PWE would authorize it.
Opens the door for redhawk. Laters!
To all you tin foil hat lunatics going on about how Windows 10 steals all your information you should probably start basing your opinion more on actual research and fact and less on what Joe Bob's YouTube Video said.
To preface this, I am not an expert in PC Security. I work in the IT Space, but I am a Mainframe person and specialize in that. Still, I work in a large data center with a variety of other technical staff including our firewall and platform security teams. All of them run Windows 10 on their personal devices.. all of them. Why? Because it's plenty secure, and anything you're uneasy about can be easily fixed with a simple freeware tool. I base my decision on input from people that actually know what they're talking about, any of this information can be found with a little research into OS personal security.
There is a free tool called ShutUp10 that you run on your computer and you can disable any Microsoft tracking with one mouse click. It's seriously so easy that even some of the brain dead idiots in this thread pretending to be experts could do it. It takes 2 seconds, and gives you any level of security you want ranging from open door to 'bank vault.' You an defer Windows Upgrades or disable them completely.. the tool lets you change anything you like if you're not comfortable with Windows default settings.
As for the last bit.. Microsoft stealing your information.. will you morons just take 5 seconds to form a rational thought? Do you know how big of a company Microsoft is? Do you have any idea what type of exposure they would face if they were stealing private data? Do you really think that with all the scrutiny, they could do it and avoid getting caught? Would it be worth the risk of getting shut down by the Federal Government?
Yes, by default they track web traffic and use it for targeted advertisements.. do I agree with this? No.. is it the end of the world? No. People equate this to stealing your bank account information or harvesting your SSN and it's frankly ridiculous. If you don't want targeted advertisements, use the tool linked above. Microsoft is required by law to make tracking features optional. They are not however, required to make it easy to disable, they just have to give you the option. The tool just makes it easy to do everything in one easy click.
I loved Windows 7, I used it for years, and I resisted the initial push to upgrade to Windows 10 due to a lot of the same baseless fears that people apparently still have today. Yes, in the early days, updates were intrusive, that has been fixed. People took the fact that it tracks some web traffic for advertisements and equated it to the OS stealing your identity and people believed it.. and apparently still do. If security is your main reason to use Windows 7.. you're an idiot. Windows 7 support was officially discontinued on January 14, 2020 and since that time your PC has not been getting security updates of any type. Microsoft themselves say that Windows 7 is no longer secure and if you think using an OS that's been unsupported for almost 2 years now is the path to security then you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.
Upgrade your OS already, stop being idiots.
Rubbish!
My PC is six years old and will run it fine (does run it fine). TMP chips are not that new, they've been around for a while. Even if you don't meet the min requirements for 11, it's not like Win 10 is going to stop next month. You've got a few years left to use it before MS stop supporting it.
Well said. Shutup10 is actual more like 3 or 4 clicks, which might be far to much for some people here, but it works, quite well. Like you I loved WIN7 and resisted upgrading, but when my old system died and I needed a new one I knew I had to make the transition to WIN10. These days there are zero reasons not to move from WIN7 to WIN10, none.
Ditto. There's no reason to not update. I upgraded to WIN10 as soon as I could and it ran games better than 7, and way faster than 8.
As for the 'MS is stealing data'....really?? Besides the fact MS would be facing multiple lawsuits etc, which they aren't, it wouldn't affect my life one iota! Folk claiming foul are as bad as the anti-vaxx/5G/microchip crowd.
Exactly.
Hard locking players from even TRYING to patch or run the game is a poor and unjustifiable decision, and it isn't going to bring the kind of significant improvement to the table that could make it less outrageous. There are literally thousands of games out there that run far better than STO does without having to resort to locking W7 players out completely. Games with better graphics, smoother gameplay, greater complexity and less bugs/glitches.
This isn't a sacrifice devs have to make, it's just one they want to make in order to ignore the current optimization issues on lower end PCs entirely. And before you ask, no I'm not running a potato computer. I'm running a desktop that'd be more than capable of using 10 without problems if I were actually masochistic enough to try and sacrifice the resources and usability for the sake of supporting Microsoft's horrible decisions.
I'm only glad I started the game not so long ago and don't have too much time, money or emotional investment into it. I don't want to offer my support to developers who make decisions of this kind in any way, shape or form.
TL;DR this is MS pandering at its finest, not a necessary step for quality of life.
Sure man. I'll upgrade from Ubuntu18 to Ubuntu22 next year, don't worry
A fine display of ignorance.
Yes, when Windows 10 first hit, there were some programs that actually took a performance hit when being run under 10 vs. 7 or 8. In fact, for a while, Windows 8.1 remained the quickest of all MS OS'es in averages as well as in boot up times. But good news people.. and hold on for this shocking bit of news..
It's not 2015 anymore!
That's right, Windows 10 has received a ton of optimizations and on average is now faster in most applications then even Windows 8.1 and both leave Windows 7 well behind. Even in applications where a difference can be measured it's often within single digit percentages and are rarely even comprehensible outside of synthetic benchmarks. But hey.. don't let facts derail your ignorance. In fact, if Windows 10 has a big drawback it's that it only matches or barely exceeds Windows 7's overall performance. While it's not a significant jump outside of boot times, it's certainly not a step back.
The only time you will see increased performance on a Windows 7 machine is when running older hardware using drivers that were never updated for Windows 10. Windows 10 can use older hardware and adapt the Windows 7 drivers, but performance on these devices often suffers. The good news is, this hardware is all over a decade old and has no practical use today anyway.
Windows 10 comes with faster and more efficient performance on average, more economical use of memory and disk space, and increased security (SmartScreen, Windows Defender, encryption coupled with regular updates.) File Explorer is more efficient then Windows 7's file system, DirectX 12 support offers better gaming features. Windows 10 offers better hardware support, secure boot with UEFI, support for USB 3, Bluetooth, NVME SSD Drives and offers better image scaling on high resolution displays, it's also better optimized for touchscreens if you're into that kind of thing.
People like you are the tech equivalent of Flat Earthers, it's time to update your information and stop using an OS that hasn't a security update in almost 2 years. You're not smarter then everyone else, you don't know something others don't, you just make yourself look uninformed.
As for MS Pandering.. are you really trying to imply that Microsoft is leaning on Cryptic to drop Windows 7 support?
Really?
Um - if you think they (Microsoft) didn't/don't have the capability to look at your Windows 7 when you're on the net - Hahahaha! They have avenues into every Windows OS they've developed. Win10 doesn't have any more or any less 'Microsoft spying' ability then Windows 7 had. Quit watching Youtube conspiracy videos. If anything Windows 7 is WAY more vulnerable across the board because the codebase has been available to the hacking community for a few more years than Windows 10.
You want to beliebe you're 'safer' on the net with Windows 7, be my guest. But the reality is, you're not.
PWE ARC Drone says: "Your STO forum community as you have known it is ended...Display names are irrelevant...Any further sense of community is irrelevant...Resistance is futile...You will be assimilated..."
While it is true that TPM 2.0 debuted in 2016 and most motherboards since then have them, the implementations of the specification were not very well aligned and it took several years for the chip companies to hammer out their differences so not every TMP 2.0 system reads as compliant to Windows 11 even though they technically conform to the spec and function well enough.
Admittedly, that could just be a bump in the road that gets fixed quickly on Microsoft's end, but at the moment a lot of people are finding out with the PC Health Checkup app that their machine is not compliant because of its TPM 2.0 implementation or other hardware issues even if they seem to be eligible to run it from the simple version of the hardware requirement list.
Rather than the defalt name calling for those who are not shall we say with it for the current generations of operating systems?
Just a thought fill free to ignore me and have at it.
No, you're right.
It's not the lack of knowledge that's the problem, it's the childish and demanding tone mixed with all the grand conspiracy theories that really gets things heated. Either way though, you're right, you're not going to convince some of these people and it's just fueling a pointless debate to even try.
The changes are coming rather anyone likes it or not. Those who are not compliant will have to make a decision and that's their business. For those considering an OS change though, Windows 10 is a perfectly fine and safe OS. To those that choose to stay on Windows 7, well.. enjoy the remaining games you can still play. Hopefully, one day you realize that you're going to need to move on if you want to enjoy modern features and titles.
The big problem is not that TMP 2.0 isn't compliant on every machine - just that it needs to be switched on. You can do that through the BIOS.
The last time I bought anything from Amazon was over 8 years ago. And never bought anything from ebay. My phone is an old android 4.2 which I've disabled most of google's services/apps, and any game or app that requires it. I don't use kik, snapchat, skype, discord, etc. on my phone. I don't even keep photos on it. I do keep a contact list though, and whatsapp (a necessary evil), which is the only reason why I have not disabled google play services itself, but I did not create an account for it (I downloaded whatsapp from another repository, so even when it requires updates, I'm not required to sign into, or create, a google account). I did use waze until google bought them out, at which point I removed it.
Thanks for making false assumptions
As for the the "all of that to stop some rather MINOR data mining that can be EASILY TURNED OFF?!? " I wrote a lenghty post that the mods have yet to approve, saying how a simple search for articles posted in 2020 and 2021 still say not all of it can be turned off, in the basic and pro versions of Win10, even with using 3rd party software. THAT can only be done on the education and enterprise versions of Windows10. I'm not going to assume you are a student, or have some deal with a company, or can afford windows10 Enterprise, but I will say I do not fit into either of those categories.
And this is all deflecting from the real issues at hand, brought up by the announcement. My issue being why disallow windows7 when it fully supports Direct3D version 11, when the easy compromise that at least one other poster offered would easily satisfy everyone? To be honest, the only reason cryptic SHOULD care what operating system we use is if it hampers their use of Direct3D, which, it would not, since win7 fully supports DirectX11, and all it's subsets, which includes the Direct3d version 11 subset.
PS: There have been other assumptions and arrogant people putting words in my mouth that I just won't justify a reply to. But Just to make one major point clear, I argued over security because it was brought up, but my real concern is with privacy. I've never devled into win10's security, so I cannot say with any certainty how secure it is. But, again, to repeat: My real concern with Win10 is privacy.
I can only assume this post is not posting because of it's length so I'll split it into parts:
Part 1
I find it interesting, how you and others pick which arguments you can argue against, but do not touch other concerns I've raised, in your defense of an operating system designed to take your data, and the data your system has stored on others. All over the net these concerns are raised. There are STILL articles being written by tech sites that all say, and I'm paraphrasing here, there is NO way to disable all of the telemetry and spying ability of windows 10, FOR THEIR BASIC AND PRO VERSIONS, unlike their education and enterprise versions, where assumably it can be done (which makes sense: what company that values their IP and general privacy/security would agree to use software that permanently allows stealing of their data?). Microsoft's own forums are littered with posts of people raising concerns and they get replies from actual microsoft staff that says, and again paraphrasing: tough! windows10 is a service and you agreed to these intrusions when you installed (which if you remember, MS did not give a HUGE number of people any option to not install it), and used the OS on your system. Which they are contradicting themselves via the same Windows10 EULA stating that windows10 is property and not a sevice.
As for programs to help disable these things, they can't, without deleting stuff and creating a case for future problems. There's no way I'm going to try to research ALL of these programs, but a couple that came up on tech websites, including microsoft's forums, all say these programs either cause damage in the long run by "Irreparably" deleting things (ie no way to restore what is removed), OR switching settings in the registry (which windows10 allows, but ignores, hence the false assurance), or both.
Part 2
"if you think they (Microsoft) didn't/don't have the capability to look at your Windows 7 when you're on the net - Hahahaha! They have avenues into every Windows OS they've developed." You are absolutely correct on this. MS has designed a "feature" in windows OSes from as early as winxp sp2 with hardcoded DNS domain names that will resolve to their proper IP addresses regardless of what you put into the HOSTS file; all MS addresses. BUT only on windows7 did I get certain files TRIBBLE about wanting to connect to the web, and if it doesn't, your internet gets disabled, or windows performance gets inhibited (both of these examples I've personally experienced). I've read articles on win10 doing the same. NEVER has that happened to me on windowsXP or Vista. But again, maybe you can provide proof this happened to others? Maybe personal experience from yourself (assuming you're old enough to have used vista, xp, millenium and/or 95. If not, my apologies for making the assumption)?
That is why my security software is 3RD party, and not something built into windows! Windows by itself will never be secure. Sure they may stop (or at least try to) hackers, but they don't prevent connections to the mothership, who thinks because they put it in their EULA, they have any legal carte blanche permission to a user's personal files/Data, OR files/data the user has on other people saved to their system (this is the difference between a "service" versus a "property" I mentioned in previous posts). Someone mentioned if this were all true, why have MS been allowed to get away with it. I guess the poster forgot that there WAS an outcry when people woke up to WIN10 on their system, AND a few people DID file lawsuits against them for it. I also guess the poster forgot MS has the resources to fight back and "continue the course" and weather all of our objections; making concessions here and there when they couldn't line the people's pockets with money anymore. And now we have people that KNOW everything I'm saying can be verified, but choose to live with it now, because of a sense of not having a choice (they grew up using windows, and their jobs require they use windows being 2 popular reasons). And we have people bypassing the validity of the whole argument with "yeah windows spys on you, what can you do? And anyway why are YOU so concerned about privacy? What do YOU have to hide?" As if that invalidates the concern.
Part 3
I am no genius, or security specialist, or God, and I NEVER implied I was one, nor do I know more than people who are. BUT I've used windowsXP up until 2015 and never got caught with ransomware or any other malady that mass infected pepole. I've even had cable technicians who wanted to use the pc comment on how fast it was at starting up, and loading their company's web pages! Don't get me wrong: in my college days (early 2000's) I've had infections that wiped out my entire system. In fact the last destructive infection my pc contracted was around 2008. Since then, along with having good 3rd party security software, I've become more vigilant, and careful, and kept my XP system more or less malware free.
And when I bought a windows7 machine a few years later, up to now I have not had any problems with malware infecting my system.
So save your (collective, not just you) fear tactics and insults. It IS possible to be secure while using an OS that's no longer supported, with some common sense and due vigilance. And you all have some audacity to think you all know any of us or can begin to comprehend all of the reasons why we either choose, or are forced to stay with, Windows7 for the time being. And with the arrogance some of you have shown here, it's moot because you don't WANT to understand. BUT I bet the moment STO or some other game you love tries to pull similar nonsense on you, you'll be up in arms too, and wondering why people can be so rude as to think they know all your reasons, valid or not, for objecting, and insinuating you're an idiot for saying anything in the first place!
Part 4
AND you all are doing nothing but deflecting from the topic at hand, which brought up my the issue of WHY the forced upgrade when windows7 can handle Direct3D version 11 with no issues. Or why they cannot fix the problems already existing before going all gung-ho with, as some of you assert: (paraphrasing) "keeping up with the Joneses", and adding even more problems.
Another poster raised the compromise of giving the playerbase the option to still play, using windows7 WITH the direct3D version 11 requirement. I'm still waiting for a reply from management on why this is not a doable compromise. They get to add more bugs and glitches they will never fix (a reasonable assumption: Just look at all the broken things currently in STO that's been broken/troublesome for years now), and we get to still play a game representative of a franchise we've grown up with and loved!
My sincerest apologies to everyone! I cannot believe I had to split my post so much, when others, myself included, have made lengthier posts!
Part 2
"if you think they (Microsoft) didn't/don't have the capability to look at your Windows 7 when you're on the net - Hahahaha! They have avenues into every Windows OS they've developed." You are absolutely correct on this. MS has designed a "feature" in windows OSes from as early as winxp sp2 with hardcoded DNS domain names that will resolve to their proper IP addresses regardless of what you put into the HOSTS file; all MS addresses. BUT only on windows7 did I get certain files TRIBBLE (gotta love STO censoring lol) about wanting to connect to the web, and if it doesn't, your internet gets disabled, or windows performance gets inhibited (both of these examples I've personally experienced). I've read articles on win10 doing the same. NEVER has that happened to me on windowsXP or Vista. But again, maybe you can provide proof this happened to others? Maybe personal experience from yourself (assuming you're old enough to have used vista, xp, millenium and/or 95. If not, my apologies for making the assumption)?
That is why my security software is 3RD party, and not something built into windows! Windows by itself will never be secure. Sure they may stop (or at least try to) hackers, but they don't prevent connections to the mothership, who thinks because they put it in their EULA, they have any legal carte blanche permission to a user's personal files/Data, OR files/data the user has on other people saved to their system (this is the difference between a "service" versus a "property" I mentioned in previous posts). Someone mentioned if this were all true, why have MS been allowed to get away with it. I guess the poster forgot that there WAS an outcry when people woke up to WIN10 on their system, AND a few people DID file lawsuits against them for it. I also guess the poster forgot MS has the resources to fight back and "continue the course" and weather all of our objections; making concessions here and there when they couldn't line the people's pockets with money anymore. And now we have people that KNOW everything I'm saying can be verified, but choose to live with it now, because of a sense of not having a choice (they grew up using windows, and their jobs require they use windows being 2 popular reasons). And we have people bypassing the validity of the whole argument with "yeah windows spys on you, what can you do? And anyway why are YOU so concerned about privacy? What do YOU have to hide?" As if that invalidates the concern.