Windows 7 or 10

gecko

gecko

Charter Member
Hi all,

I am beginning to suspect my PC may be getting towards the end of its life. Still stable for now and I'm keeping important stuff backed up, but I'm looking into possible replacements. My biggest hangup is not wanting to make the jump to windows 10. I infinitely prefer windows 7, but a new windows 7 pc is probably near impossible to find. So I need some assurance here - are there any remaining major hangups with windows 10 and cfs3? Do all the tools work, like MB, mos editor, gmax plugins, terrains sdk tools etc? I don't want loose any modding capability, and would consider any alternative if switching to 10 entails a loss of capability.

On a far less important note - are there any ways to make windows 10 less ugly? I really like the windows 7 glass look. By comparison windows 10 looks like crayons.
 
I hated switching but went with the free upgrade from win7 Pro to Win10 pro and got used to it. I've never had issues with any tools I have used and followed the advice here of putting in root directory making SP3 compatible, etc. Andy's probably the expert though.
 
The biggest issue to start with is that Win 10 does not include the service that allows the program to activate the CD reader to check for a valid license if you don't have the DVD version. After that following the advice in the sticky section covers most of the issue you'll run into.

In my case, after the last computer upgrade that included Win 10 Pro, I no longer need to run in any sort of compatibility mode.

Having said that, what I hate the most about Win 10 is the once or twice a year major revision updates that uninstalls all of my programs. It physically leaves them there, but they are unregistered requiring reinstallation for them to run. After the first couple of times struggling through this, I made two pages of notes to use as a checklist on what I need to do to restore everything.
 
If you never properly install it, but just transfer a working game folder over, will it still work? I've not used a CD to install anything CFS3 related in a very long time.
 
MajorMagee said:
Having said that, what I hate the most about Win 10 is the once or twice a year major revision updates that uninstalls all of my programs. It physically leaves them there, but they are unregistered requiring reinstallation for them to run. After the first couple of times struggling through this, I made two pages of notes to use as a checklist on what I need to do to restore everything.
Click to expand...

Interesting! That hasn't happened to me ... so far! ( Win 10 since it was free for win 7 users)
 
gecko said:
If you never properly install it, but just transfer a working game folder over, will it still work? I've not used a CD to install anything CFS3 related in a very long time.
Click to expand...

You have to have at least one install properly registered. After that MuitiCFS3 works just fine on the others.
 
Windows 10 can work with GMax, mos editors etc, I've had it work with everything CFS3-related I can think of. That said, like MajorMagee I've had one or two very frustrating experiences after microsoft-imposed updates. Win 10 in an extremely arrogant and high-handed and patronising manner assumes you to be incapable of deciding when and if you install a Windows update. So you just get lumbered with them. Period.

Now that hard disk space is so cheap, I am tempted to keep entire copies of all CFS3 installs just so I can wipe the C drive and reformat if a serious problem with the OS is encountered.
 
So does that mean I need a DVD copy to install the first time? I've only got the original CDs.
 
I still have my original CFS3 cds and have installed in Win10 using them. Apart from the extra step mentioned in the sticky because of cd security no longer working, it does the job. Export from Gmax also still works, as does the MOS editor - once you tell it which folders to look in for files. You will have to install the DirectX 9.0c June 2010 package and enable early NET versions in Win10.

I have no issues worth mentioning.
 
Like everyone using their ancient cd version the only issue I have had is the cd key authentication. Once you get that everything works fine. I thought I would have issues with Gmax and the SDKs but nothing, straight in working.

The cd key thing frustrated the living daylights outta me though till I figured/found the way round it which I had on an old cd with multiple CFS3 installs on.

Only way around it really is to build a new Win7 PC specifically for CFS3/old games and software. Then have a modern Win10 setup for all new/future software etc.

Dave
 
Is there a way to segregate my CFS3 stuff so things don't get messed up by updates?
 
My restoration process takes about 2 days to get everything running again. I've gone from losing everything the first time it happened, to preserving everything so I can recover and reinstall it, so that's progress I suppose.

The sad thing is that Win 10 asks if you want to keep your files or wipe everything out and start over. You tell it that you want to keep everything, and it then proceeds to do a semi-destructive update anyway. Their explanation is that you may need to update your programs to be compatible after the "upgrade", so they're just getting things started for you...
 
Why Not?

Do a new system build and double boot installing win 7 1st.
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A dual-boot system is also an option – I used to do that with Win7 and XP back in the day. :biggrin-new: Just so long as your hardware supports Win7; a lot of new gear just doesn't support it.
 
Not being much of a hardware guy and having failed in two attempts so far to set up a dual boot system, when the time comes I think I will probably go with a known quantity like Dell, which I've had no complaints with over the years and bite the bullet on Windows 10, may as well get used to it since at some point there won't be any other option. That said, I want to minimize the fallout from the switch as much as possible. If I get one with dual HDs, are my files safe from W10 updates if they are on a different HD than the OS? Curious what your update checklist is Andy, would you mind sharing?
 
It's two going on three pages of handwritten notes specific to my system, and installed programs.

For example is says things like:

Turn on Gsync and 100 MHz in control panel.

Reinstall TrackIR 5.4.2 USB device drivers.

RegEdit CurrentUser\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Currentversion\APPComponentFlags\Layers to add string DWM8and16BitMitigation

etc., etc., etc.
 
gecko said:
Why pro? I've never understood the difference between the different versions.
Click to expand...

Because of the updates. If you have a "Home" version, you'll be a beta tester for their updates.

I got a (legit) Enterprise version. My employer gave me a life license for testing. Enterprise gives you almost full control over updates (and privacy).

From worst to best:

Home - pro - Education - Enterprise

Cheers,

Priller
 
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