New Computer Help?

Alright, Sup Forums, I need your help. I JUST got a new laptop for xmas (my last computer of any sort has died almost a year ago, and work money went to bills)
So, this computer currently has windows 10. I know a tech guy who will put windows 7 on it for $40, or I can ask about getting linux (I have no idea how to use linux, but maybe now is the perfect time?) I don't like being forced to update, or having backdoors into my computer.
The way I see it, I have 3 options:
>leave windows 10
>get windows 7, knowing it is going to be unsupported soon
>get linux, and learn how to use it

Also, is firefox good enough, or are there better niche browsers? I've heard some controversy lately, but not sure what to buy into.

Hoping to get this thing wiped and redone if needed before I settle in to the default and regret it later.

If I were in your position I'd ask for Linux, but I really don't know what to recommend to you. If you like your windows interface anything with KDE Plasma would do fine be default though.

> cdburnerxp
> greenshot
> google earth PRO
> teamviewer

You are beyond help my friend. Just use win10, tou are it's target audience anyway.

Try Kubuntu. Also install Firefox.

What's bad about Google Earth pro?

Thanks for that... He said he could "dual boot the unit" with 10 and linux... I'm currently not savvy on computers, what does that mean? would it be able to switch views or something>

install gentoo

lol fuck off youre trying too hard. 2/10

>implying I'd be so stupid to download those myself
STRAIGHT from getting this computer, man. set up wifi and went to Sup Forums. the seller set it up like this.

Install Ubuntu GNU/Linux. It's piss easy. A monkey could use it.

Dual-boot means that each time you boot you'll have the option to choose which OS you'd like to use.

nothing but that is basic bitch Windows software
im a basic bitch as well...so i have win10 and love it.
>they're spying on you.
okay. hopefully they use all that stolen data to make a better OS.

only thing i don't like about windows10 is the fall update.
fucking idiots gave no warning as to how they changed how windows shuts down.
they basically got rid of shutdown and replaced it with hibernation.
you shutdown the computer.
it shuts down but it remembers what programs you had open before and re-opens them
so hypothetically
if you were looking at porn before you shutdown (without closing the browser)
when you turn on the computer your 15 tabs of tranny porn would open up automatically.
this is after a full shutdown.
not the standard win10 shutdown (hibernation)
only way around this is to create a shortcut link to the shutdown.exe with /s /t 0

Does that require a system wipe to do? I think I remember installing windows 7 required a wipe from xp.

Good thing I went to you bastards before going to porn.

that doesn't seem right.

It doesn't require a wipe, but it means that you'll have the OS' in different partitions on your disk and the partition that you use WILL be wiped, the other one will be good. Be wary and make back-ups though, you don't know if something might go wrong while resizing the disks or partitions during the install process so always make a copy of important files and shit.

Oh, that...
Then would it just be best to straight linux and avoid dealing with partitions later?

You could but if you've never used Linux before, the transition might be a bit too harsh for you. I'd recommend you to try Kubuntu like said and maybe if you like it, stick to it. I'd advice against going full Linux just yet though, just because, again, the transition might be too abrupt for you, but if you want to, go ahead OP.

yeah google it.
it's fucking retarded.
sleep: partial shutdown. certain hardware doesn't fully power down

hibernation: similar to shutdown but an image is saved to the HDD (acts like sleep)

standard shutdown: hardware powers off. nothing is saved.

(pre-fall update) Win10 shutdown: is actually just hibernation

(pre-fall update) Win10 ACTUAL shutdown: standard shutdown. (hardware powers off, nothing is saved)

Win10 fall update shutdown: (shutdown.exe command has been changed) it now acts as something between hibernation and shutdown. only a partial image is saved.


TL;DR:
windows10 Fall update removes shutdown altogether. only way to fully shutdown a computer is to create a shortcut link with /p option or /s /t 0

This is perfect for law enforcement.

That sounds like crap.

Kubuntu, eh?
Maybe I should check it out. Like windows 10 less and less the more I hear about it overall

You obviously are not suited for Linux, which is meant for power users.

Maybe it isn't... But I'm currently hard pressed to find any OS that is suitable.

Just get windows 7. Hope that by the time that's completely obsolete you actually learn how computers work. You obviously never paid attention when you had one.

Don't make hasty decisions, either install 7 or stick with 10. Then install linux on a virtual machine, using virtualbox for example which is a free software and then learn linux bit by bit while also not being stressed because you are on an OS that's comfortable to you.

If the license in the laptop is Windows 10 Pro, download the Windows 7 iso and call Microsoft for downgrade rights

>only way around this is to create a shortcut link to the shutdown.exe with /s /t 0
I've been doing this on all win 10 machines out of habit since it's been the LTSB default for some time now.

Download some .iso files of different linux distributions and burn them to a dvd and try them out to see what you think before committing it to your HD. Google linux live cd.

Xubuntu

Easier way is to cut power at that point

Windows 7. Isn't too hard to install.

Some "Next, nect next" and you're done.

And installing Linux isn't next next next? I understand when it comes to Arch or Gentoo, but everything else's just clicking next and choosing your display/input language...

i personally hate shutdown just because there isn't a command option that is the equivalant of holding the the power button for 5 seconds on the actual computer case.
i tried looking for a shutdown option that forces a shutdown even if there are unsaved programs open.

i have a certain program that needs to be closed or Windows refuses to shutdown ("please close any unsaved programs" screen)

>my computer "died"
>I need to pay a guy $40 to install an operating system for me
Kek

This looks like your best bet, honestly. Have something external to test out when you want, but keep the windows OS until you're ready to make the big switch (if you ever are)