Tl;dr: Looking for advice/suggestions on a Windows OS to use on my PC.
I have been using Windows XP for over 10 years now and it's the only operating system that I am familiar and comfortable with. Unfortunately, I recently had my computer fucked up by some sort of phishing spyware/trojan/virus/whatever the fuck it's supposed to be called and I can no longer access my accounts on Wells Fargo or eBay on my computer without getting the screen asking for my SSN and shit like that, and it has slowed down my computer tremendously. So, it looks like I am going to have to reformat my hard drive and install a new operating system. As I'm typing this, I am in the process of moving 920 GB worth of files from the 1TB hard drive in my computer to an external HD and because of whatever shit it is that got installed on my computer, it's literally taking 20-30 times longer than normal.
I spend lots of time (typically, several hours a day) on my computer doing simple, unimportant things (downloading movies, music, porn, saving photos from my phone and digital camera, wasting my life away browsing the Internet for hours each day, etc.), so I'm not some sort of a power user. I'd just like to use an OS that is similar to Windows XP Pro, if at all possible. I really like the setup of the 'File and Folder Tasks' on XP (especially, how you can "Move/Copy/E-Mail/Delete the Selected Items"), so I'm really hoping that there is a version of Windows that is at least somewhat similar to XP Pro.
In case it matters, my PC is a Dell Optiplex GX620 with a Pentium D CPU 3.00Ghz, 2.99 Ghz, 3.49 GB of RAM and has a 1TB WD hard drive.
Also, because I am poor and stupid, I will likely be downloading a torrent (from TL) of whichever version of Windows is suggested, but there are several different options for Windows 7, 8, and 10, from what I saw after briefly looking.
So, should I try Windows 7? 8? 10? Or something other than Windows?
Any and all helpful replies will be very much appreciated!
Your PC is a dinosaur. You may be able to find drivers for windows 7 but probably not anything more recent. Try windows 7 64bit first. If you find yourself without drivers try 32bit.
Windows 7.
>>51513815
Just install Linux mint.
If you don't play games it's an amazing is.
Also, this had not occurred to me, as I have not installed an operating system besides Windows XP before, but it looks like many of the files for Windows 7 are larger than 4.3GB, so they will not even be able to be burned on to a DVD disc. After reading someone's comments, they mention using a USB flash drive, but I have not installed an OS from a flash drive before. Is it as simple as using a CD/DVD is? And is the process basically the same as it is to install from a CD?
10 will run on your machine fine, but you're an idiot for running XP for that long so you should probably just buy a Mac.
>>51513981
Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, and 10 each fit on a single-layer DVD just fine, OP.
You can use Rufus to create bootable USB installation media from the ISO: https://rufus.akeo.ie/
>>51513981
Installing from a flash drive is the way to go. Microsoft made it dead simple for 7.
http://wudt.codeplex.com/
>>51514014
It's also way faster than reading off a disc. You might have to fuck with your BIOS settings to boot from USB, though.
>>51513954
Is my computer really that old/outdated? For the most part, it seems to run smoothly and does everything I need it to do. Could I realistically buy a decent, more-updated PC for simple/basic use from Craigslist or eBay for around or under $100?
>>51513962
Any particular version of Windows 7? And is it the most-similar to XP Pro?
>>51513971
I do not play any games at all. I like to browse the Internet, save my pictures from my phone and digital camera, use uTorrent to download movies/ music, boxing, etc., and to be able to listen to music and watch some movies on. Would Linux mint work for things like this? Would it work on my Dell PC? And how would I get it? Also, is it similar-looking/functioning to Windows XP Pro?
>>51513987
Yes, I am an idiot. I know this. Do you think that Windows 10 would be a better option than 7 or 8? And if so, why?
>>51514001
>>51514014
>>51514085
Thank you very much for the information!
After seeing it mentioned, since I'm not a gamer or power user, would Unbuntu or Linux likely be a good option for me to try out? Or is the UI and functionality much different than Windows XP Pro?
>>51514220
Windows 7 Professional corresponds to Windows XP Professional.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP_editions#Home_and_Professional
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_7_editions#Main_editions
>>51514220
Linux might actually be a good choice for what you do. http://www.linuxmint.com/
>>51514220
Linux is an option, but it's not unheard of for it to work 90% the way you want but fight you to the death for the last 10%.
Seriously, if you just want to give zero fucks and have a machine that "just werks" for all the basics, a Mac really isn't a bad choice. Considering how fucked the Pentium Ds were, I also wouldn't be surprised if even a macbook air performed better than your current machine.
>>51514220
I recommend trying mint, since all those things can be done on it anyways, it won't cost you since its free, and it is easy to use.
All your programs are there in your software center for easy installation.
FYI, I'm reading all of the posts in here, and I genuinely appreciate all of the efforts to help, but it's just frustrating for me to try to reply to each one individually, as I'm currently on an old laptop and I'm not that familiar with/fast at typing on it.
So, seeing as I don't play any games at all, and don't use any power-hungry programs, should I really consider trying out Unbuntu or Linux Mint? Or will Windows 7 likely be the best option for me?
And should I take it that Windows 7 is a better/simpler/more-stable OS than Windows 10? Especially, with my older computer?
Also, is there any specific version/release of Windows 7 that I should look for? Either, because of features/options that it includes or because it might be more-suited for my particular (read: older) computer?
>>51514633
http://mirror.corenoc.de/digitalrivercontent.net/en_windows_7_professional_x86_dvd_x15-65804.iso.torrent
FYI, I'm not abandoning the thread, but I've got to run an errand and will be away from my computer for a while. I have the thread an auto-update and will eagerly check it as soon as I get back. So if y'all would like to continue to discuss this stuff, please do. As I would definitely like to read more about this stuff from those of you with experience with this shit!
>>51514784
Why not the 64-bit version? He's got a Pentium D.
>>51514876
It has less driver issues on old machines. It may have a 64bit processor but who knows what else is in there that might only have 32bit drivers.
>>51514897
You have a good point.
Dell is actually listing XP-64 drivers for this model. http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/product-support/product/optiplex-gx620/drivers/advanced
>>51514633
In terms of raw performance, 10 > 8 > 7, but older hardware may lack compatible drivers. Try 7, you can upgrade to 10 for free and it should warn you if there are compatibility problems. Once on 10, you can rollback to 7 if necessary.
>>51513815
Honestly, you may want to look into linux. It would solve basically any problems of getting a virus in the future. Also, it would probably run better on your old pc. If you plan on buying a new one, you may want to look into a mac if all you want it to just work.
