so, this may get moved but I hope not because the sonar forum is where all cool knowledgeable folks go -   :-) 
I have resisted win 10 because of the lack of privacy. So it's been a while now since 10 has been out.
 
Opinions: Can it be tamed? No calling home whatsoever. 
 
Sonar runs fine for me on win8.1x64 but I want to get back into desktop support again but without win 10 on one of my computers it is impossible. Yes I have been out of the game for many years, but network administration and desktop support were my things. M$ certs up the wazoo, which means nothing except I passed the tests, I know  :-) . But I am proficient with everything but Win 10, having never used it.
I can think of no better place to ask this question.
Thanks very much for indulging me
Stratman68

Win 10 needs to phone home as you put it to stay up to date. The model is no more large upgrades just constant updates,  patching if you will. This is the way it is supposed to work. However there have been whole new versions released with new features. Almost every Tuesday is an update day. 
 
It is possible to keep windows of the web and isolated. I don't recommend that though.  
 
One other reason is to let Win 10 access Microsoft to keep av up to date. 
 
I really have not had a problem running win 10. All my computers run it except a macbook. 
 
I'm not too sure about the worry about win 10 and privacy. If you go to the web at all forget about keeping anything private. Most browsers keep tabs one where you go and what you do there. 
 
Microsoft is very interested in how the OS is doing but as far as MS peeking into you files that wont happen.  
 
 

stratman70
so, this may get moved but I hope not because the sonar forum is where all cool knowledgeable folks go -   :-) 
I have resisted win 10 because of the lack of privacy. So it's been a while now since 10 has been out.
 
Opinions: Can it be tamed? No calling home whatsoever. 

I use windows 10 and I have turned off as much of the telemetry that I can.  I use O&O shut up for this. I have also gone into settings | privacy and turned everything off in there.  Game mode is disabled.   I also use Winaero Tweaker to tweak Windows 10 further.

For the start menu I still use Classicmenu 4.3.1, although this is no longer being developed.  This also provides a handy toolbar for Windows explorer.

Windows 10 pro 64bit and Sonar / CbB, for me, has been very stable.

I have Windows updates (sans drivers) enabled and I always make sure I am using the latest hardware drivers.

I cringe when people say not to install need Windows updates, because not only do they plug security holes, but they also fix discovered bugs 

Core parking is disabled.  I set power options to absolute maximum performance.  I tell Windows 10 not to turn off USB ports (or any device for that matter) under any circumstances.

I set the windows timer to 14.31818 MHz  - though some people say this is not needed.

So, in a word, Yes, Windows 10 can be tamed.

If you are into Windows then Windows 10 is where it's at.
They just released yesterday (30 April, 2018) the Windows 10 April 2018 update.
(One of 2 large yearly updates to the OS.)
As for regular small updates - Microsoft's Patch Tuesday is on the 2nd Tuesday of every month.

https://www.techsupportal...indows-10-safe-secure/

OK Guys. That's pretty much what I expected and sounds good to me. I have no problem turning off most of the privacy crap. I know I need the updates. 
Guess I'll try it on my laptop first and see how it goes. I have Splat and X3 on there and most of my plugs
 
Thanks Appreciate the input.....I am talking Pro version because I need the remote desktop and some other stuff.
 
So I have already downloaded the iso-just today actually. Hate to pay $182 - $199 for a damn key, but I do not like the pirate sites, never have. If anyone knows of a cheaper LEGAL path, that would be cool. I want to be able to do a clean install.
Thanks again

Hold on, you may still be able to get it for free. Check this out:
 
https://www.howtogeek.com...t-windows-10-for-free/

Thanks very much  Micheal... I saved the info. I have 3 legit win 8 & 8.1x64 pro keys.Will give that a shot. They said they just did this january 2018, so I imagine it will work.
 
If it doesn't, At least it will be installed and I'll just buy a key....

I think they just ended that free update for anybody using accessibility features. I was going to use it again for a friends laptop but it ended sometime in February.  And it was only the Home version. 
 
Be warned, with Laptops that came with W7 ( or 8.1?)  you most likely won't have drivers for a bunch of the accessories like the card reader or web camera. Also often Function keys do not work. W 10 won't have the drivers and if you try and use the originals W10 will tell you it already has the correct drivers so your hooped. This has happened for me on 3 W7 laptops. Seems fine on desktops which don't have those things anyhow. 
 
 

The free upgrade to win 10 for accessibility users should upgrade you to the level you are currently on - I was on win 7 pro and it upgraded me to win 10 pro. Not sure it is still free. I upgraded last year and apart from my NI Kore controller no longer working, win 10 has been great for me so far. No looking back.