# Question About Windows

Category: Geeks r Us

## Post 1 by Click_Clash (No Average Angel) on Wednesday, 03-Jul-2013 12:52:23

Hi guys,
When I got my laptop a little over a year ago, it was running Windows XP. But I've noticed some changes in the last month or two that have led me to believe that during an update, Windows somehow upgraded to 7. I didn't know that was possible, but I'm pretty sure that's what happened. Thing is, I can't stand Windows 7. If my OS has indeed managed to upgrade itself, is there a way to go back to XP?
Thanks,
Becky

## Post 2 by Ed_G (Zone BBS is my Life) on Wednesday, 03-Jul-2013 14:24:36

Hi there,
I would have thought that this was unlikely too, not least because the upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7 isn't free. However, depending on how you had Windows XP set up, it's possible that somehow your settings changed and it now looks quite different.
To try and find out what version you're running, can you let me know what happens when you press the start button and what you land on?

## Post 3 by Blue Velvet (I've got the platinum golden silver bronze poster award.) on Wednesday, 03-Jul-2013 15:52:32

Isn't there a way to find out what version you are running? Maybe something in the control panel? Perhaps someone else knows for sure. I only remember how to do things I do every day as part of my routine, so remembering how to check the version I am running is not something I remember, but I'm sure there is a way.

## Post 4 by starfly (99956) on Wednesday, 03-Jul-2013 16:38:15

when you press the windows key, do you see a search box? if not then your not running win7.

## Post 5 by starfly (99956) on Wednesday, 03-Jul-2013 16:39:28

what is wrong with win7? Outside of its search box which is quite helpful and it can even open programs on your computer.

## Post 6 by Henry the Great (Generic Zoner) on Wednesday, 03-Jul-2013 16:57:27

I think what happened is maybe somebody used your computer and changed the start menue from classic to the new style. Also sometimes when windows just does its normal updates jaws starts acting funny. but to make sure what windows you have go to start, settings, control pannel, and then go to system. when your in system use the jaws curser and you will hear what windows your running.
if you still are running xp and somebody changed your settings then do this.
go to settings, control pannel, and then go to task bar and start menue. in there you can go back to classic mode witch is what i have mine set to as well haha

## Post 7 by forereel (Just posting.) on Wednesday, 03-Jul-2013 20:33:46

Your OS didn't upgrade.
As the last poster says, your settings were changed either from classic to XP.
The only way to get Windows upgraded is you'd need to purchase it.
Next, the upgrade from XP to 7 requires installing it.
I have forgotten how to check the XP OS, because it is different, but the instructions above should tell you.
Rest assured, you still have XP. You might also have been upgraded to service Pack 3, if you haven't done that.

## Post 8 by Click_Clash (No Average Angel) on Wednesday, 03-Jul-2013 21:09:26

Well, it looks as if my computer is set up differently than most. Every time someone suggests steps that I should take involving the control panel, I find that the instructions I'm given don't tally with the way my computer is set up. But to give you an example of things my computer is doing that it wasn't doing before, I keep getting a message that says, "The notification bar requires your response". The only other time I've encountered that message was when I was using a computer that was running Windows 7. Also, when I installed Winamp a couple of weeks ago, the website detected Windows 7 as my computer's OS. And for some reason, my computer keeps taking me to the desktop without my having told it to do so. This is all very frustrating. Also, to answer another question, when I press the start button, I can either type in a search box or arrow through the programs I use most frequently.
Becky
P.S.: No one else has used my computer recently, so whatever stunt it pulled, it did it all on its own. lol

## Post 9 by Meglet (I just keep on posting!) on Wednesday, 03-Jul-2013 22:02:27

The notification bar is not unique to windows 7; your version of internet Explorer must have been updated. As for your other issues, I really can't speak for those, but as others have said, settings must have been changed. There's really no chance that your OS was randomly upgraded.

## Post 10 by starfly (99956) on Wednesday, 03-Jul-2013 23:23:37

um.. the search box is a win7 feature and is not a xp feature. As for your OS beeing updated, its not updated by its self, in fact if an update is done over an older OS there is a folder that gets created with all of your older files from the prier OS.

## Post 11 by forereel (Just posting.) on Thursday, 04-Jul-2013 0:52:35

There is a download that makes XP sort of look like Windows 7, but I'm sure you are still running XP.
Here is the test. You say you have the search box on the start right?
In that search box type
winver
and hit the enter key. If you have Vista, Windows 7 or 8 you'll hear it tell you the version the build and Microsoft licenses agreement.
I've updated an XP machine to Windows 7, and it just doesn't work that easy.
Nor do you own a copy of Windows 7.
Yes, as suggested, IE could have updated.
Do that test and see what you hear. If you hear you have Windows 7, someone has upgraded your computer without you knowing.
I don't live in your house, but if others do, well, someone has done you nice. Lol
I'm really interested. If you post back you have Windows 7, I'm going searching for how that happened free.
It just doesn't work that easy. Even updating 7 to 8 is easier, but requires you buy the program, and install it manually.

## Post 12 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Thursday, 04-Jul-2013 2:11:40

there's no way you can have windows 7 as others have said.
if you use a screene reader like jaws it'll probably want you to update the activation.
when you upgrade from XP to 7 you have to save your documents someware too.
and there's the other fact that you have to reinstall any programs you had with XP.
uh uh. i just dont see you having7 at all unless like wayne said somebody did it for you.

## Post 13 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Thursday, 04-Jul-2013 2:12:36

have you installed programs on your laptop since you got it? if so they shouldn't be there if you are runnin 7.

## Post 14 by bea (I just keep on posting!) on Thursday, 04-Jul-2013 8:23:55

Hopefully, this isn't a virus duplicating parts of windows 7.

## Post 15 by Thunderstorm (HotIndian!) on Thursday, 04-Jul-2013 12:54:22

Even though there are many ways for knowing our Operating System, the simple way I can suggest you from the desktop itself is, hit c and see whether it says computer instead of my computer in windows xp. lol.
Raaj.

## Post 16 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Thursday, 04-Jul-2013 12:57:36

i was gonna say.
alt+enter on My Computer properties it'll tell you your OS that way too.

## Post 17 by Click_Clash (No Average Angel) on Friday, 05-Jul-2013 14:03:35

A virus that duplicates parts of Windows 7? Yikes! Can that really happen? Actually, I think I might be running IE9 now instead of IE8. I don't remember exactly how it happened; I hadn't intended to upgrade from IE8. That might explain the notification bar, though, as someone said above. Trouble is, I don't know what the stupid thing wants because it won't read the dialogue box to me, not even when I press insert+b.
Here's a slightly abridged version of what my computer says when I type "winver" in the start menu search box: Microsoft Windows Version 6.1 Build 7601. Service Pack 1 Copyright 2009. The Windows 7 Professional operating system and its user interface are protected by trademark and other pending or existing intellectual property rights in the United States and other countries.
My main concern is figuring out wy my computer keeps throwing me onto the desktop nearly every time I load a page and try to read it. That needs to stop.
Becky

## Post 18 by Click_Clash (No Average Angel) on Friday, 05-Jul-2013 14:11:39

Okay, I finally figured out how to determine what version of IE I'm running, and apparently I'm running 10. No earthly idea how that happened. It seems there's a lot going on with my computer at the moment that I don't know about. Grrr!
Becky

## Post 19 by forereel (Just posting.) on Friday, 05-Jul-2013 15:15:22

Okay, so someone updated your computer. It just doesn't work out of the blue.
You did my test, and you told me exactly what 7 would say.
Yes, John, she'd have to reset Jaws, if that is what she's using, but if she had an activation sitting, that would have been easy.
I don't think you got if free just because.
I did say, if so I'll have to go do some research.
You can't run IE 10 with XP. The reason you keep going to the desktop, is you've not learned how to use it yet.
I'd ask the people in my house, who changed it. That can be done, but it doesn't just download, and bam, you've got Windows 7, unless, you had Windows 7 all the time and thought you had XP?
When did you get this computer?
I ask that, because there is a way to make Windows 7 look and act like XP, so if the person changed that setting, that is causing you the learning curve as well.
IE 10, is a bit different as well, but not totally.

## Post 20 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Friday, 05-Jul-2013 16:45:57

i still dont understand something though. how did you keep all of your programs?
yes i am wondering the same thing when did you get your puter?
you could downgrade to XP if you wish.
or if you'd like to make your windows 7 box act more like XP, try this link:
www.classicshell.net

## Post 21 by b3n (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Friday, 05-Jul-2013 17:59:07

Hi,
IE10 was pushed out to Windows 7 as a crytical update around the time that the op noticed the changes, so she is now using IE10 which explains the notification bar and perhaps theres a bit of confusion involved when it comes to the search box in the start menue - E.G. it was most likely always there.
Cheers.

## Post 22 by forereel (Just posting.) on Friday, 05-Jul-2013 22:25:23

John. When you update to windows 7 many probrams have been updated as well, so you can keep them.
There is a program that will move all your files and settings. If you purchase 7 pro, it comes with an XP mode, so older programs work as well.
The transfer is not difficult, but not automatic either.

## Post 23 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Friday, 05-Jul-2013 22:30:15

when i ran the windows 7 upgradde adviser it told me i couldn't have it auto upgrade.

## Post 24 by Click_Clash (No Average Angel) on Friday, 05-Jul-2013 23:21:33

Well, I live by myself, and no one has used my computer recently. I got it from Voc Rehab in March of last year. I requested XP specifically, and I was told that was what it was running. I suppose I could double check if I could find the installation CD's. They're around here somewhere.
Becky

## Post 25 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Friday, 05-Jul-2013 23:36:36

it sounds to me that you were told that is what you were runnign, but you weren't runnin that at all.

## Post 26 by Blue Velvet (I've got the platinum golden silver bronze poster award.) on Saturday, 06-Jul-2013 0:00:17

I'm running XP Pro. When I go to the control panel and arrow down to system and enter on that, it tells me it's XP. If you're computer was running normally when you first got it and everything was the way you expected it to be with XP, then something has happened to change things, but since you say no one else has used it, then I don't think you are now somehow running Windows 7. I'd bet the changes have something to do with IE or something else that has changed. You need to get sighted help, or at the very least someone who knows how to check things out for you, because all this guessing isn't helping you be able to use your computer.

## Post 27 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 06-Jul-2013 0:05:30

she says she is running IE10 , so if tha'ts the case there's no way she's running XP.
XP also doesnt have a search in the start menu like 7 does.
also from what w she posted before, it sure looks like she's running 7 to me. MS's windows XP Pro reads the
folowing
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Version 2002
Service Pack III
and if you arn't running service pack III, you should.

## Post 28 by Blue Velvet (I've got the platinum golden silver bronze poster award.) on Saturday, 06-Jul-2013 1:20:11

But she says she got her laptop over a year ago and that these problems just started recently. She says no one has been at her computer to update to 7. So what the hell happened? I say she needs a professional to look at her computer for her.

## Post 29 by Blue Velvet (I've got the platinum golden silver bronze poster award.) on Saturday, 06-Jul-2013 1:22:04

I forgot to add above that if she has a friend who knows a lot about computers and they have the ability to use JAWS tandem, the friend might be able to figure out what is going on. I had a friend do this for me a couple of months ago when I was having unexplained problems, and he got it running normally again.

## Post 30 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 06-Jul-2013 1:25:26

honestly? i think she got 7 to begin with and somebody at the state told her she got xp when she in fact didn't.

## Post 31 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 06-Jul-2013 1:29:00

i have XP and can run tandum if she would want to do that and can see what is goin on.
however, tandum doesn't let you do things like install stuff on somebody's OS.
if you want my help princess person, feel fre to contact me somehow. i have lots of ways to be contacted. i'll try but that doesn't mean i'll be able to do anything for you.
i'm farily sure that you are running windows 7 though and not XP as the person at the state VOC center told you.

## Post 32 by forereel (Just posting.) on Saturday, 06-Jul-2013 10:43:51

Becky. I gave her the test. She's running 7. It just doesn't change, trust that. Microsoft couldn't make any money giving free OS upgrades.
The only thing I can think is, Windows 7 was installed. Since she asked for XP, techs understand that XP and 7 are not a hardship to make the change, so they switched the start, so that it looks, and acts like XP. This is doable, and when 7 was released, many XP users, did this, so they'd not have to learn a different method.
When Windows 8 was released, many wanted the start button, and other stuff, so a 3RD party created a way to make 8 look and feel like 7, but if you do the test I suggested, you'd see you actually had Windows 8. With the upcoming 8.1 the refusing to change will get that wish, the start button back if they want. Lol
When she got updates, it most likely changed the setting, so that it reverted back to normal, so now she's got 7 as it was intended to look.
John, some hardwear, and some programs won't work with 7 alone, but if you run the XP mode, many XP programs will. Hardwear is different, because, as you know, you need updated drivers. If the company will not release them, or can't, you have to change or lose these.
The update advisor, doesn't know if you'll be buying the pro version, or not, so gives you the general report of things that will not work on your computer. It doesn't take adaptions in to account.

## Post 33 by forereel (Just posting.) on Saturday, 06-Jul-2013 10:51:44

You know, after I wrote the last post, I think she was probably set in XP mode, so now is not.
I could write a tone of technical reasons why it is not possible to just get upgraded, but that won't change the fact. Lol
Here is what you can do. You can ask rehab to send someone over to fix it, so it looks like you want, or learn it as it is.
You might need an adjustment, because you say it keeps going to the desktop, and without seeing what you mean, that is difficult to understand.

## Post 34 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 06-Jul-2013 12:14:44

yes wayne i know of the updated drivers.
for me on the desktop neither of my sound cards say they have drivers available for windows 7.
well princess person, i'd try useing Classic Shell. jewels AKA cuzzen cap is another person I suggested that too. also rod muffin man uses it, so maybe you can contact them if you need help with configuring that to work with XP.

## Post 35 by Meglet (I just keep on posting!) on Saturday, 06-Jul-2013 20:41:40

Just a note, Becky: to read the notification bar in IE 10, hit alt N, then tab around a bit, it should read you the information and you should be able to deal with whatever i'ts asking and then close it.

## Post 36 by starfly (99956) on Sunday, 07-Jul-2013 15:06:00

may I play the devil's avicate here, if someone does in fact install xp back on to your computer you do know that with in a year or less your going to have to lose xp like it or not.

## Post 37 by starfly (99956) on Sunday, 07-Jul-2013 15:13:18

here is a small help guide for win7 from me hope this helps some one. 1. when you press windows key or control escape your placed in a search box. 2. arrow past the search box then you can use letter navagation this works with jaws or NVDA not sure about win eyes seeings how I do not use it. 3. all your programs that are installed are put in a folder on your start menu called all programs. 3. Under all programs is another search box arrow past it and you have a list of your programs that are installed alphabeticaly. Hope this helps those who want to lose the xp classic menu.

## Post 38 by forereel (Just posting.) on Sunday, 07-Jul-2013 19:19:44

I suspect rehab thought about the request for XP and if they purchased a new computer, simply ignored it and set it up as I described.
Not only was it going away, as the last poster explained,it saved them money. A year ago, a copy of XP was hard to get. Just two much trouble.
Sure, it could have been done, but at extra cost and work. They should have just told you you have 7, and gave you some instruction. It really isn't that difficult.
You had a new machine, so all was good to go.
If it is Dell, and I'll bet it is, you have a service tag. That service tag tells you exactly what it was when purchased.
It is on the computer in the Dell documentation.
If you go to Dell's website, the site will find your service tag for you.
If you want to know how that is done say, and I'll post it, or just call 800 915-3355 and get tech support to do it for you.
Yes, John, I know you know, but just wanted to state that the upgrade advisor is general, so is not the last word.

## Post 39 by Click_Clash (No Average Angel) on Sunday, 07-Jul-2013 21:02:17

Yep, it's a Dell. I went to their site and downloaded the application that detects a computer's service tag, but it doesn't seem to have worked. So, I guess I'll either give them a call or battle my computer for another week until I can get it to a friend of mine who works with technology. I'll tell you one thing, though, if Rehab did indeed mislead me about my OS, they're going to hear about it.
Thanks for all the help!
Becky

## Post 40 by starfly (99956) on Sunday, 07-Jul-2013 21:41:15

I put a short to torial on this board how to work with win7 start meu if you need more I can write more on a separate board.

## Post 41 by starfly (99956) on Sunday, 07-Jul-2013 21:43:30

I also worn you becky against installing xp because next year in may xp is geting the axe but its your laptop not mine.

## Post 42 by forereel (Just posting.) on Sunday, 07-Jul-2013 22:08:53

If she had that done, and she won't, she'd have to have the system reformatted. Hassle. Lol
That is another reason Rehab most likely didn't get XP. Dell did have some systems with it, but I don't think at the time she got it.
Like now, Dell offers systems with Windows 7, but that is as far back as they'll go.

## Post 43 by Shepherdwolf (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Monday, 08-Jul-2013 21:54:49

Hi there,
I came a little late to this party, but yeah...the info given by the computer when you ask it for the model number doesn't lie. You're definitely running windows 7.
That being said, I'm going to wander just a tiny bit afield here. I don't know you, nor your history with technology, but I'd still urge you to accept windows 7. I have fairly sound reasons for the suggestion:
1. As stated, XP is going out the door fairly soon. That's a big enough reason all by itself, but
2. Windows 7 really isn't scary. It seems that way, and for the first little bit, it may even be that way, but it's still a similar shell to XP if you get right down to it. Only a few things are different, and if you haven't already, you may come to like the little search box when you hit the windows key. I know I do.
3. Most importantly, you've been using Windows 7 for I don't know how long, and up till your computer started throwing you weird notification messages with Internet Explorer, you had basically no idea. If you were intentionally mislead, I'm definitely not condoning that at all, so by all means give your rehab people hell if that's what happened. But if it was an honest mistake - and it might have been, who knows? - then try and learn from it, I suppose. You are now capable of dealing with Windows 7, because you've already been doing it. That alone might make it not so troublesome.
As far as the notification bar, I find that hitting shift-tab will get me to where I want to go when that pops up, after I've hit alt-n as Meglet said. You may have a different experience but normally you can be assured that those warnings are probably not vital. I always used to sort of shake my head when it says that the notification bar "requires" my response. it doesn't require a damn thing, it simply requests it. Ignore it long enough or close the tab, and it often goes away. If you're downloading files though, or if you're being redirected a certain way, it's not a bad thing to know what it's doing.
As far as always returning to your desktop, someone else gave a sort of dismissive "you're doing it wrong" response. I offer instead another scenario. If you are using a laptop, and your laptop's trackpad is enabled, you might be touching or swiping it with your wrist, or even with your sleeve. Sometimes even the slightest touch will bounce you out of what you're doing and into the desktop, or heaven knows where else. I disabled my laptop's mouse features for precisely this reason; most models have an option or a quick keystroke that will turn it on or off, and if you're using a laptop it's possible you managed to hit this keystroke by mistake or never had the pad disabled to begin with. If it's a desktop, however - forgive me, I've read all the posts but don't remember every single word - then I honestly don't know.

## Post 44 by Click_Clash (No Average Angel) on Saturday, 27-Jul-2013 18:57:17

Hi guys,
Well, I took my computer to my friend, and along with confirming that I have indeed been running Windows 7 from the start, he did some updating, removal of unnecessary things, and a few other small fixes that have resulted in my not wanting to throw the comp across the room every time I use it. lol. And it turns out that I kept being thrown onto the desktop because my touchpad had reactivated itself, just as someone suggested. My friend showed me a key command that toggles it on and off, which will be quite useful. I'd like to thank you all again for the great advice. Now that this is more or less resolved, I feel a lot better about Windows 7.
Becky

## Post 45 by Shepherdwolf (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Saturday, 27-Jul-2013 23:50:42

Good going. I'm glad things have worked out for you. I didn't know about the quick keystroke to disable the touchpad right away and it annoyed hell out of me too.