Setting up Windows 7 on a new machine

[SleepyTomato]

I'm planning on assembling a new desktop in the next week or so. I've got a copy of Windows 7 that I'll dual boot with Linux, and I'd like advice on getting this system set up, in light of the telemetry and Windows 10 update issues that have arisen this past year.

So far, I plan to install an antivirus before I ever let the machine connect to any network. Is there anything else I should install beforehand?

I'd also like to avoid having any telemetry updates or Windows 10 nag updates installed, so I'm planning on leaving automatic updates turned off, with check for updates set to never. From what I've heard, this is a good preventative measure. I'll probably install updates in batches, with some restore points set up along the way in case I make a mistake. Will this work in the event I accidentally install an unwanted update? Also, is there an up-to-date list of the updates to avoid? Finally, does anyone have an idea of how long this will take?

 

[MongGrel]

I still do not see why people are refusing to use Win 10 myself, have build 14291 running on the main rig here atm, but I imagine the regular is runing a little behind that.

There is no way anyone could tell you how long that would take, it's all dependent on the hardware, what exact software you are installing overall, among a few other things.

 

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[thewhat]

I'd also like to avoid having any telemetry updates or Windows 10 nag updates installed, so I'm planning on leaving automatic updates turned off, with check for updates set to never.

AFAIK you can avoid the telemetry updates in Windows 7 and 8 by simply not enabling CEIP. So if you don't have CEIP enabled you can install "telemetry updates" and they'll do nothing.
Here's an article about it:
http://www.infoworld.com/article/29...s-kb-3068708-3022345-3075249-and-3080149.html
If you don't trust that it works that way, you'll obviously have to seek out those updates. If it makes it any easier, those updates only started around a year ago.

For the Windows 10 nagware, I think KB3035583 is the only thing you need to avoid. It's easy to spot it in a big list of updates because it has a variable size in the description (something like 1 - 3 MB).
Also, as Oubadah said, you can simply disable the Windows 10 upgrade in the registry or Group Policy. See:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3080351
After that you can install KB3035583, but it won't run and nag you.

I guess most of these people are just blissfully unaware because instead of taking serious measures to monitor the network activity of all of their software, they just focus on Windows because it's a popular/easy target.

Or they focus on Windows because it's the operating system, which has access to everything on the computer. And, worst of all, in Windows 10 telemetry cannot be disabled, at least not in an "official" way.
It's quite different from some optional 3rd party software like an Nvidia utility doing it.

For a long time I've been on the fence about the Windows 10 telemetry issue, but I'm steadily becoming more and more inclined to think that it's a non-issue. Arguments from the "anti" camp are usually laced with paranoia and conspiracy thinking.

I suggest we forget the pro and anti camps entirely. Both camps have a lot of ignorance, fanboys and haters.
Let's look at the facts and make decisions based on that. Otherwise we just end up in stupid religious "debates" that lead nowhere.

 

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[thewhat]

You can still install quarterly drivers, without any additional software. I don't think having a CP for graphics is fundamental at all. There are also various other tools if you want to do some tweaking.
Or in the worst case, switch from Nvidia to something else.
Both are easier than ditching Windows and affect way fewer users. Also video game enthusiasts (the kind of users who install GeForce Experience) are typically younger and less privacy conscious. That's why you see less complaining.

 

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[xgsound]

YMMV
Add the A/V as soon as you have an OS and before internet connection. I use bitdefender.
I suggest you separately download these 2 Win7 SP1 updates to greatly speed updates: KB3083710 KB3102810. Install these first after win7 SP1.
Then update to your satisfaction. I would be sure to include IE11 and it's requirements before adding others.
Then download GWX control panel to disable win 10 update files and nags that you accumulate. This has worked well fixing the relatives machines before I disable updates.
I know nothing about the telemetry everyone complains about as I have severely limited Win7 updates.

Jim

 

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