Windows is written almost entirely in C, C++, and C# for Windows. Some areas of code are hand tuned/hand written assembly.
Why be Concerned about Windows 10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuYtQGfORwY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKXShHAmtCY
http://thehackernews.com/2015/08/windows-10-disables-pirated-games-microsoft.html
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/servicesagreement/
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/privacystatement/default.aspx
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-hk/windows-10/feedback-diagnostics-privacy-faq
Security Now-Steve Gibson:Windows 10 and the Stage Fright vulnerability for phones(Android)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfKZZa41LB8
Changing Hardware
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-win_upgrade/reinstalling-windows-10-after-upgrade/578d0b7f-57e4-4893-b9d1-6cfac0d6290a?page=2
http://www.gohacking.com/how-windows-product-activation-works/
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/activating-windows-faq#1TC=windows-vista
THIS IS IMPORTANT !!!!
READ all of THE EULA THAT MICROSOFT WILL SHOW YOU WHEN YOU INSTALL Windows 10 also Read the Microsoft Service agreement and privacy
statements-links are in the “Why be conserned about Windows 10” section
above. This applies to all of Microsoft, not just Windows 10.
THIS IS IMPORTANT !!!
You may be actually ceeding your right for other remedies or to sue (4th amendment-Bill of Rights) for illegal search/seizure if you agree to Microsoft's stated policy of being able to access even private data and use it as they see fit. Agreeing is continuing the installation and using Windows 10.
The Eula says that they use your information as they see fit, privacy may be dead.
You need to have updated your machine with Windows Updates and you need
Update KB3035583, which installs the Windows 10 Update and the following prerequisite Windows Updates. Besides requiring Windows 7 SP1 or Windows
8.1 Update, you must also have installed:
For Windows 7 SP1 KB2952664
For Windows 8.1 Update KB2976978
INSTALLATION tips
If you do start the upgrade be aware that Microsoft's idea of how long you can pause it
before installing is 48 hours-no other choices are available.
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-win_upgrade/will-ms-send-an-inviteof-win-10-free-upgrade-to-a/183383a1-9d76-458c-87bd-6cd210520224
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-upgrade
http://www.howtogeek.com/197559/how-to-install-windows-10-on-your-pc/
http://www.technomag.co.zw/2015/08/07/how-to-upgrade-to-windows-10-without-the-invite/#sthash.RnYnVSAw.dpbs
http://www.ghacks.net/2015/06/08/how-to-display-the-windows-10-upgrade-icon-if-it-is-not-visible/
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-win_upgrade/decline-get-windows-10-invite/0ea9dc20-a3d1-422f-8e5a-057e69e718fe?auth=1
http://lifehacker.com/how-to-hide-the-get-windows-10-icon-from-your-taskbar-1708536452?disableinsets=off&utm_expid=66866090-49.VYy4WCNHSyuP6EmjnM93MQ.1
:::: B U T ::::
https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-10/4260/windows-10-drops-reliance-on-microsoft-account
DO NOT get tricked-you can install Windows 10 via a local account-do not
install with a microsoft account or other email.
Everything works as normal but some parts of the “new mobile” world such as OneDrive
or Cortana. No one knows exactly how private you can get with this OS, but it's
a start.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-8/microsoft-account-tutorial
http://www.7tutorials.com/should-you-use-local-or-microsoft-account-windows-10
The below should work for 8 or 10
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-my/windows-8/disable-remove-password
https://4sysops.com/archives/install-windows-10-with-a-local-account/
http://www.baldnerd.com/install-windows-10-without-a-microsoft-account/
http://betanews.com/2015/08/03/you-dont-need-to-use-a-microsoft-account-to-download-apps-from-window-10s-store/
To “Convert” a Microsoft Account to a local Account of make a local account after installation
https://askleo.com/how-do-i-switch-back-to-a-local-account-sign-in-for-windows-10/
https://askleo.com/how-do-i-switch-back-to-a-local-account-sign-in-for-windows-10/
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_8-security/convert-microsoft-account-to-local-account/6024b140-b0cd-4d9b-9b87-aa25bd25e1ed?auth=1
http://superuser.com/questions/716107/disconnect-microsoft-account-from-my-local-account
http://www.networkworld.com/article/2956427/microsoft-subnet/how-to-setup-a-local-account-in-windows-10-during-or-after-installation.html
http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/switch-from-a-microsoft-account-to-a-local-account-in-windows-10/
http://www.techregar.com/how-to-customize-or-remove-search-bar-in-windows-10/
I would backup my Windows installation before installing-Paragon Backup and
Recovery Free does a good job, is free, backsup to DVDs or USB or External harddrive,
and is NON-Microsoft. It will take the same time to do and a full backup takes a lot of disks, so make sure your backup option spans disks or that there is enough space on the device you backup to.
After installation, I would also burn the “Windows.old” folder to a backup since this contains your old OS, just in case. Microsoft says you can go back to your old OS, but may delete the
old files after 30 days to save room.
I would also burn the old OS iso files for my machine to a cd-you can download the
Windows 7 or Windows 8 or 8.1 from Microsoft-get it while it is still available..
This will allow you to install your old OS in a “clean” install if it has been more than a
month since you upgraded but want to go back.
If you want to use Microsoft's system, keep reading
How to revert to Windows 7 or 8 from Windows 10
http://winsupersite.com/windows-10/how-revert-back-your-previous-os-after-windows-10-upgrade
http://www.howtogeek.com/220723/how-to-uninstall-windows-10-and-downgrade-to-windows-7-or-8.1/
http://www.easeus.com/resource/revert-back-to-windows-7-from-windows-10.html
HOW Tos:
How to re-set the most obvious settings for privacy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rczgCmoNSSE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bx3DsDtBSxU
http://www.tnj.com/technology/windows-10-security-settings-to-know
http://bgr.com/2015/08/05/windows-10-privacy-security-tips-tricks/
http://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-secure-windows-10-the-paranoids-guide/
http://bgr.com/2015/07/30/windows-10-upgrade-installation-settings/
http://www.cnet.com/how-to/windows-10-settings-menu-the-privacy-tab/
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/privacy-settings-windows-10
http://www.howtogeek.com/221864/digging-into-and-understanding-windows-10s-privacy-settings/
http://www.howtogeek.com/210921/how-to-disable-your-webcam-and-why-you-should/
http://lifehacker.com/what-windows-10s-privacy-nightmare-settings-actually-1722267229?commerce_insets_disclosure=on&utm_expid=66866090-48.Ej9760cOTJCPS_Bq4mjoww.2&utm_referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fr.search.yahoo.com%2F_ylt%3DAwrTcdzU2.VV6XUA8gYnnIlQ%3B_ylu%3DX3oDMTByMjR0MTVzBGNvbG8DZ3ExBHBvcwM3BHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzcg--%2FRV%3D2%2FRE%3D1441156181%2FRO%3D10%2FRU%3Dhttp%253a%252f%252flifehacker.com%252fwhat-windows-10s-privacy-nightmare-settings-actually-1722267229%2FRK%3D0%2FRS%3DqwNBoLnhP8GXbp9.zqaOUNiFe4o-
http://carisesuatu.loomhost.com/look/Windows_10_Security_Settings/How_To_Stop_Windows_10_s_Spying_Ads__Rock_Paper_Shotgun/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5yb2NrcGFwZXJzaG90Z3VuLmNvbS8yMDE1LzA3LzMwL3dpbmRvd3MtMTAtcHJpdmFjeS1zZXR0aW5ncy8=_blog
http://carisesuatu.loomhost.com/look/Windows_10_Security_Settings/Windows_10_Privacy_Settings_How_To_Stop_Windows_10_From__/aHR0cDovL2Jnci5jb20vMjAxNS8wOC8wNS93aW5kb3ctMTAtcHJpdmFjeS1zZXR0aW5ncy1ob3ctdG8tc3RvcC1zcHlpbmcv_blog
Accounts-manage
http://www.cnet.com/how-to/windows-10-settings-menu-the-accounts-tab/
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/windows-10-account-settings
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/windows-10-sign-options
Cortana
http://bgr.com/2015/08/13/windows-10-cortana-search-privacy-settings/
http://www.windowscentral.com/how-turn-cortana-and-stop-personal-data-gathering-windows-10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvAzxF4m0M0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvxuV78xtDw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=of3Bdt_iwsY
Customizing—do after you decide to keep Windows 10 or it may be harder to go back
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/customizing-desktop-recommended-links#1TC=windows-vista
http://features.en.softonic.com/10-tips-for-customizing-windows-10
http://www.howtogeek.com/197836/8-ways-to-customize-the-windows-10-start-menu/
http://www.gcflearnfree.org/windows10/7
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/7-tips-customizing-windows-10-taskbar/
http://www.howtogeek.com/172466/10-ways-you-can-customize-your-windows-taskbar/
http://www.tekrevue.com/tip/how-to-shrink-hide-windows-10-taskbar-search-box/
http://www.techregar.com/how-to-customize-or-remove-search-bar-in-windows-10/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT1Mz_TRXvQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0DvBgPcivg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF1Q183Pgqk
Desktop
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQpFEUFnrGk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZqKyhfD7-E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h782xnVvcM
The Edge-
http://carisesuatu.loomhost.com/look/Windows_10_Security_Settings/Managing_Privacy_Settings_In_Microsoft_Edge_For_Windows_10/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5jb3guY29tL3Jlc2lkZW50aWFsL3N1cHBvcnQvaW50ZXJuZXQvYXJ0aWNsZS5jb3g__|__YXJ0aWNsZUlkPTE2Mjg4NzgwLTFmYjYtMTFlMi00OTUzLTAwMDAwMDAwMDAwMA==_blog
http://blogs.windows.com/msedgedev/2015/08/26/how-microsoft-edge-and-internet-explorer-11-on-windows-10-work-better-together-in-the-enterprise/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEgQaoqlX2c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH1D31YHsgY
http://techreviewpro.com/microsoft-edge-tips-and-tricks-windows-10-beginners-6160/
Windows Firewall
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-other_settings/windows-10-firewall-notification/fd8d0ff6-5830-4c21-8189-3867ee508c01
http://www.sysprobs.com/enable-ping-reply-and-ftp-traffic-in-windows-10-and-server
http://windowsitpro.com/windows-server/top-10-windows-firewall-netsh-commands
http://www.howto-connect.com/windows-10-import-and-export-firewall-settings/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sv19pCD_VA
OneDrive -was supposed to ship with Windows 10 but was not ready and this may have
beem the reason it still may be a mess at last report.
http://winsupersite.com/windows-10/heres-whats-really-happening-onedrive-windows-10
http://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-10-onedrive-sync-and-the-art-of-difficult-conversations/#!
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-win_upgrade/windows-10-and-one-drive/373ab585-182f-4832-aca0-1e79b6530e94
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-nz/windows-8/getting-started-onedrive-tutorial
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/substitute-onedrive-placeholders-windows-10/
http://www.windowscentral.com/why-you-should-use-onedrive-windows-10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNKljJdKl5s
(uninstall from Windows 10)
Safe Mode-W10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOTbLmhAnjM
Shortcuts and help
http://www.infoworld.com/article/2930773/microsoft-windows/how-to-make-shortcuts-to-windows-10-settings-on-your-desktop.html
http://betanews.com/2015/06/19/windows-10-tips-settings-control-panel/
http://www.windowscentral.com/how-create-desktop-shortcuts-specific-settings-windows-10
http://www.winbeta.org/news/windows-10-how-make-quick-shortcuts-specific-settings-your-desktop
Updates
http://www.download3k.com/articles/How-to-Configure-Windows-Updates-in-Windows-10-01365
https://mymce.wordpress.com/2015/07/28/how-to-configure-windows-update-in-windows-10/
http://pureinfotech.com/2015/02/03/windows-10-configure-windows-update-restart-schedules/
Metered Connection-no automatic updates
http://www.howtogeek.com/224471/how-to-prevent-windows-10-from-automatically-downloading-updates/
Third Party Privacy Tools
https://theintercept.com/2015/06/04/microsoft-disk-encryption/
http://www.redferret.net/?p=50245
http://www.intowindows.com/donotspy-stop-windows-10-from-spying-on-you
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/donotspy10.html
http://pxc-coding.com/de/portfolio/donotspy10/
http://dottech.org/105656/windows-best-free-encryption-software-review/
http://bgr.com/2015/08/14/windows-10-spying-prevention-privacy-tools/
http://everyonehacks.blogspot.com/2015/08/free-tools-that-stop-windows-10-from.htm
http://www.filehippo.com/software/internet/browsers/
Free ebooks
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/free-windows-10-ebook
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=47716
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/microsoft_press/archive/2015/05/01/free-ebook-introducing-windows-10-for-it-professionals-preview-edition.aspxhttp://salefiles.com/9aznvohhp8ht/Windows_10_Beyond_the_Manual.pdf.html
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/apps/windows-10-rumors/9nblggh0bs3n
http://www.filecritic.com/windows10-free-ebook-download
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=48126
For those who do not want to wait for Microsoft to download as an update
Or who have problems with the update
Downloads-iso ...burn as disk image to dvd or make bootable usb (8GB or larger)
If upgrading by the iso file, don't forget to burn the DVD and then do not boot
from the DVD-instead, put it in your drive and drill down to the “Setup.exe” and run it. Otherwise you will need a valid Windows 10
product ID to activate within 30 days-your old one may not be accepted so windows will not activate. This makes it not free.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO
Downloads-Media Creation Tool(which then downloads an iso or makes a bootable USB)
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/media-creation-tool-install?ocid=ms_wol_win10
Download other Microsoft OS with a legal Microsoft key-same versions
http://www.howtogeek.com/186775/how-to-download-windows-7-8-and-8.1-installation-media-legally/
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7
http://www.redmondpie.com/download-windows-8-iso-x86-x64-file-directly-from-microsoft/
http://www.intowindows.com/download-windows-8-1-iso-from-microsoft/
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8ISO
(the above downlods 8.1 iso)
Microsoft support numbers
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/microsoft-support-chat-phone-number