Outdated Laptop

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We are seniors and only use our laptop for email, internet and to use Microsoft Office 2007 (old software but serves our needs). Our laptop is out of date – currently running version 21H1. The Operating System is Windows 10 Home, 64-bit, 8 GB Ram, AMD Ryzen 3 2300 Processor. Which version would be the best to update to and the best way to go about it without causing problems. We would like to change our anti-virus software provider. We are currently and have been for years using Norton 360 Premium. Over the years they have become too intrusive and demanding and customer service is very poor (unable to understand their poorly spoken English. Just to name a few reasons for wanting to change. We paid for the laptop, not Norton. Anyhow, according to our internet provider version 21H1 is getting a little too old, even though we are not experiencing any problems. They were very kind about it but they are correct. We are not really interested in Windows 11 and through our research found out that our laptop cannot be updated to Windows 11 (processor not fast enough). We tried a tablet but that was not a good fit and returned it. Our laptop has a 17″ Display with great color, Optical Drive, several USB ports, SD Card Slot, Backlit Keyboard (which is very helpful) and a few of other features that you cannot get in a laptop today. Which is why we don’t want to replace our laptop, so updating is probably the best option for us. I know from past experience that updating can sometimes lead to nightmares. Then that opens the door for my husband’s favorite expression, “Why did you have to update it when everything was working fine. Please, no more updates, just leave well enough alone”. Now you know who does all the maintenance on the computer and phones, me. We would greatly appreciate if anyone has any advice to offer. Thank you kindly.

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First, make an image backup to an external USB disk. You actually need a USB stick and a USB hard drive to do this. Ask if you need more details.
Second, update to 22H2 and any other updates you are missing. I use GRC InControl and WuMgr to do this.

You can uninstall Norton once you have made a backup and before the updates.

Once your machine has been updated you work out what mechanism you are going to use to keep the machine updated (MS patches or 0patch).

cheers, Paul

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I can understand your not wanting to have to buy a new laptop when you already have a really great one!  I would like to suggest that you look into Linux Mint as an alternative to Windows 11.  Linux Mint will run just fine on your laptop, I’ve got it running on older, less powerful computers than yours.  The Cinnamon version of Linux Mint is fairly easy to get used to, I’m 76 and I love it and use it daily for the same things you do.

The other thing about Linux Mint is that you don’t have all the trouble that Win 11 will almost certainly present you with.  Software and program updates are quick, easy, and dependable!  If you can operate Win 10, you can do Linux Mint, it’s graphical user interface is very similar.

Being 20 something in the 70's was so much better than being 70 something in the insane 20's

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Or consider Opatch, or Windows 10 ESUs and stay on 10.  If her hubby doesn’t want change, going to Linux is not the answer.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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jdamkeene wrote:

We are seniors and only use our laptop for email, internet and to use Microsoft Office 2007 (old software but serves our needs). Our laptop is out of date – currently running version 21H1.

You seem happy with what you have and you have a bit of time before Windows 10 is no longer supported from October of this year.

Maybe move from Norton 360 Premium back to built-in Windows Defender then download/install LibreOffice and try it as a possible alternative to Office 2007… or just keep using Office 2007?

I’m a senior too… 70+. I intend continuing to use Windows 10 past October on my internet-facing laptop. I will continue using it for email, internet and to use Microsoft Office 2010 and the latest LibreOffice.

I’m sure others may disagree… but I don’t think the sky will fall in past October provided I’m careful.

The only thing I would add is… I have a backup regime in place using Macrium Reflect 8 Free, just in case. You haven’t mentioned any backup at all.

Hope this helps…

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Online banking.  That’s the app that will complain the most.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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