Actually there are so-called "Senior Citizen" computers that run a version of Linux. My Mother is 92 and owns one and it can't be broken because only the manufacturer can install anything or have any manner of deep effect. They are simply an appliance that is ordered with a default base of email, facebook, photo manipulation and storage, etc with just a few options. All updates/upgrades are handled directly by the manufacturer. My Mom has owned hers now for over 3 years and has never had a serious problem and no instances of virii or malware. BTW she is not computer illiterate having bought a Compaq brand new that came with Windows 3.11 on it, whatever year that was. She got as far as Win 7 and said, "No more!" and has been happy with that decision ever since.

Come on... Windows 7, 8 and 10 are the best operating systems ever !! It works flawlessly and it is reliable.

Windows is much efficent than Linux for instance for gaming (see FPS comparison).

For Server, a Linux server is good to have. Windows servers are awesome. https://www.nextplatform.com/2016/09...start-another/

I wouldn't know how to go about that! I haven't used Windows since Win78 (which I rather liked actually). It's crazy, isn't it? I can manage a Linux box with three distros on it and build LFS when I want to, but I can't turn your post into a sequence of operations that I could carry out with any confidence.

@Cynwulf. Thank you for your explanation of how the Windows filing system works. I thought it must be something like that.

MS's "libraries" they added in 7 are a royal pain in the "@$$ -hole "
they scatter things allover the place and have it "LOOK" like it is in a different location

basically forcing the user base shepple to NOT even know where their files really ARE!!!

i have had many people post a copy those library links AS THE REAL FILES ( copy paste)

then wounder why something dose not work


the trump white house OS

The problem we ran into was that desktop shortcuts link to the virtual locations, not the real ones. So if the link between the virtual and the real location gets corrupted, the shortcut just leads to a dialog asking you to update the location. Which you can't do because you don't actually know where your data is; that has been concealed from you. Now how come Patrick thinks that's a good idea?

who knows ???????
but the "libraries" add a layer of confusion on top of a already messy situation

then to make this even worse a "library" can be added to a different "library" to mix the two ( or more
-- OR --
mix only PARTS of one with parts of a different one

if you want users to NOT learn things this might be a good way to keep them from looking under the hood

confuse the hell out of them

There is no shame to have to say that Windows is the best operating system. Installation and use of Window is easy, reliable and fast.

The graphic and opengl support of Windows is the best of the best.
The hardware support of Windows is the best of the best. Many drivers out of the box (windows >7).
In gaming, Windows rocks.
In Office, MS rocks.
There is no hardware or kernel to compile and configure during hours. Windows works out of the box.
There are many advantages to use Windows.

It always depends on the use, but MS Windows is the ideal choice for most regular users.

I'm going to put politics and religion aside for a second and try to help you arrive at a solution.

The "overlay" you seem to be describing sounds like some kind of virus or malware on his system.

The way to fix this is to boot the computer using a live distro (which runs from CD/DVD) and use that to copy his photos and other files onto a USB hard drive, other form of removable storage or even cloud-based storage (eg: Dropbox or Google drive).

I've used Knoppix to do exactly this with excellent results, and you will most likely get similar results with any other live distribution. Live distros are truly excellent for this purpose, especially where the installed OS has become unresponsive. The caveat is that the hardware has to be in normal working order.

Once his data has been recovered you can do a clean installation of whatever OS you're comfortable teaching and supporting.

Hi all...

For those who live in the EU, I came across this article a little bit ago concerning Windows 10. I wish we had the same concern and approach here in the USA regarding user privacy.

Regards...

Windows libraries are analogous to a directory full of symlinks. https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/...(v=ws.10).aspx

There are better threads for this since this thread, aside from the sweeping title, is obviously about a real life instance of severe problems common to many and a hair-pulling mess to fix. Plus, despite your list of OpSys used, you seem utterly devoted to Windows, almost reqaching troll status since your information is biased and inaccurate in some cases.

For example Linux now supports more hardware than current Windows including Architectures MS doesn't bother with. "Best OpSys" is like "best automobile" which begs the questions "For which drivers? In what terrain or application? For how many passengers? To haul how much stuff?" Your personal bias shows and for me that's OK as long as we make that clear. For my personal bias I think Win 7 was quite good. Not so for 8 and most definitely not so for the travesty that is Win 10. Win 10 is great for anyone wishing to be reduced to mere "cash cow" lazy and owned. As for games the only real advantage anymore is many AAA titles. FPS on nVidia driven Linux systems compete head to head with Windows and Windoze can't begin to reach the low latency of Linux by a factor of 10.

So it is not as simple as Better and Not As Good as YMMV as always.

No, unfortunately Windows 7 does that all by itself. See the posts by Cynwulf and John VV. That's why I'm so furious. My friend isn't online at all so he can't pick up any viruses.
Well, you'll laugh. That's exactly what I want to do, if I can persuade him to agree to it. All he needs is a system that puts files where it says it's putting them.

Patrick does have a point about hardware, and graphics in particular. Since most desktops run Windows, it's always been necessary for manufacturers to produce hardware and drivers that are 100% Windows-compatible. Otherwise they can't sell their goods. With Linux, they can afford to be more lax. After all, why should they spend so much money on a minority? I'm currently having trouble with my laptop, which has Via Chrome graphics that cause a problem with the framebuffer. I see it as a challenge, but I'm sure most users would just see it as a pain. But he's wrong about the kernel: most distros provide an excellent kernel and you don't have to build one unless you want to.

@Enorbet. Sorry for the title. I was in a ranting mood. And the problem does seem to me to be symptomatic of the Microsoft attitude to users. Right from the days of Win95, the system directories were off-limits. If you left My Documents, you got splash screens warning you off. It was very much a case of "Shut up and trust us. Don't worry your pretty little head about how it works." That attitude leads to the problems we're seeing now.

I don't believe, just said by experience. If you don't compile yourself your kernel and driver, get to work on the kernel, you can't beat windows hardware support. Hardware support, by default, of windows 10 is great.

Linux too.

the reason that Winblows runs on the hardware IN!!! the computer it hat the HARDWARE!!! MUST !!! WORK !!! ON !! WINDOWS!!
to get the "genuine windows " sticker

and you MUST have that sticker to install windows for the OEM

Betcha can't install it and run it on my single core atom netbooks and my IBM T23. In a comfortable manner. Windows sweet spot on those is XP.

No free legal downloads exist either. What is so great about that?

But current Gnu/Linux supports them just fine.

Back on topic. Is the guys computer straightened out Hazel? If not. Maybe have him ask at

http://www.computerhope.com/