Them computer thingies

[Pegojack]

My relatively elderly (76) English neighbour is in the market for a new laptop and I have been giving her advice and ferrying her to one or two local computer stores. She's quite taken with an Acer model we saw today.

Once she gets it, she'll be relying on me to do some routine stuff like link it up to tinternet, order and download Microsoft Office package, download free security software, etc.

My question is, how different is Windows 11 from 10? The Acer comes with Home 11, my computer has 10 and that's what I'm used to. I want to know if I'll be flummoxed by 11.

 

[monmouth]

My relatively elderly (76) English neighbour is in the market for a new laptop and I have been giving her advice and ferrying her to one or two local computer stores. She's quite taken with an Acer model we saw today.

Once she gets it, she'll be relying on me to do some routine stuff like link it up to tinternet, order and download Microsoft Office package, download free security software, etc.

My question is, how different is Windows 11 from 10? The Acer comes with Home 11, my computer has 10 and that's what I'm used to. I want to know if I'll be flummoxed by 11.

No, I shouldn’t think so mate. You’ll find it very familiar. Just a few intuitive operational differences, but you can you tube a tutorial if you want to see. My old work laptop went from 10 to 11 and I can’t remember any problems at all.

But she doesn’t need an office subscription. Either just set up a free email account @outlook.com and use the free one drive online apps. If she really wants one on her c drive get one off Groupon for a few quid. I paid £11 for life and it’s been fine. It’s updated too, which I didn’t expect, as I’m happy with old word and excel for my limited use. It has all the apps, but as someone said to me, if you get the urge to use anything else when you don’t have to for work, give your head a shake.

 

[Cooperman]

My advice would be to try and steer her down the road of a tablet. I am talking from the experience of having elderly relatives wildly clicking on things they shouldn’t. Much less scope for this on an iPad.

 

[Pegojack]

No, I shouldn’t think so mate. You’ll find it very familiar. Just a few intuitive operational differences, but you can you tube a tutorial if you want to see. My old work laptop went from 10 to 11 and I can’t remember any problems at all.

But she doesn’t need an office subscription. Either just set up a free email account @outlook.com and use the free one drive online apps. If she really wants one on her c drive get one off Groupon for a few quid. I paid £11 for life and it’s been fine. It’s updated too, which I didn’t expect, as I’m happy with old word and excel for my limited use. It has all the apps, but as someone said to me, if you get the urge to use anything else when you don’t have to for work, give your head a shake.

Thanks, Mon, that's reassuring. She's not going for an office subscription, I was thinking of one of those online packages for 20€ or so.

 

[Pegojack]

My advice would be to try and steer her down the road of a tablet. I am talking from the experience of having elderly relatives wildly clicking on things they shouldn’t. Much less scope for this on an iPad.

Thanks, Coops, she's keen on a laptop. She does a lot of writing.

 

[Swanjaxs]

My advice would be to try and steer her down the road of a tablet. I am talking from the experience of having elderly relatives wildly clicking on things they shouldn’t. Much less scope for this on an iPad.

Elderly relatives #xhamster

 

[MajorR]

She needs to have some kind of decent antivirus protection, especially if she’s prone to clicking things.

 

[Cooperman]

Thanks, Coops, she's keen on a laptop. She does a lot of writing.

She can still do that on a tablet as there are plenty of notes type apps.

 

[Glyn1]

Last April Which magazine had an article on free antivirus packages. Their recommendation as "Great Value / Best Buy" is unoriginally called "Bitdefender Antivirus Free For Windows". I've had it for several years and am very happy with it, and they don't send any adverts.

 

[Glyn1]

You get it from Bitdefender.com

 

[Captain_Sham]

Also be warned that support for Windows 10 is being withdrawn in the coming months. Get used to using Windows 11.
From co-pilot.
Windows 10 support will officially end on October 14, 2025. After this date, Microsoft will no longer provide technical assistance, feature updates, or security patches for the operating system1. However, users who need more time before upgrading to Windows 11 can opt for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which will provide security updates for a $30 per year fee.

 

[Resolvenjack]

My relatively elderly (76) English neighbour is in the market for a new laptop and I have been giving her advice and ferrying her to one or two local computer stores. She's quite taken with an Acer model we saw today.

Once she gets it, she'll be relying on me to do some routine stuff like link it up to tinternet, order and download Microsoft Office package, download free security software, etc.

My question is, how different is Windows 11 from 10? The Acer comes with Home 11, my computer has 10 and that's what I'm used to. I want to know if I'll be flummoxed by 11.

Windows 11 has an S mode as default which only lets you install apps from the microsoft appstore, which of course means you will need a microsoft account.

Take a look at these as they may help.

How to Turn Off S Mode in Windows 11: 2 Easy Methods

Switch out of S mode to install software from anywhere Windows 11's S Mode is a safety feature that only allows app installations from the Microsoft Store. While S Mode does a great job at preventing malware from infecting your computer,...

www.wikihow.com

How to use Windows 11 - Tutorial for Beginners

This Windows 11 Tutorial is meant for Beginners and will show you how to use Windows 11 on your PC so as to get the best out of the OS.

www.thewindowsclub.com

Of course, Google is your friend if in need.

Good luck.

 

[Pegojack]

Thanks for all the great advice, folks.