It's better.

Craig wrote It's better.

You might need to try harder than that. I love windows 7

dont go with windows 10 unless you have a good pc i5 or better or else have fun dealing with issues, plus windows 10 has alot of features that new hardware wont work on anything under 10 so theres that in mind so if you plan to upgrade you pc youll need 10, but my god 7 is great for custom windows

Okay I know your pain, but, a couple things. First, the start menu, honestly, I hate the Windows 10 start menu, but there's a piece is software called "StartIsBack" that I use, that makes my Windows 10 start menu, look like a Windows 7 menu, with even more customizations than the normal Windows 7 start menu, free trial is 30 days, but honestly, the actual pricetag for a license is less than 5 bucks, so that handles that.

Second, the information gathering, there's a website that goes by the name of SaferNetworking, type that name into google, followed by "anti beacon" and it's a simple tool that gives you control over telemetry, therefore you can stop the information gathering that Microsoft is trying to pull.

Third, the apps... Good lord, first time using Windows 10, felt like I was on a giant Android phone, but it doesn't have to be that way. IrfanView is a photoviewing software that performs even better than the default Windows 7 photo viewer, so use that to replace the on board, also installed VLC Media Player, and after that, download CCleaner, and go to where you can uninstall programs, and uninstall all the Windows 10 default crap like their photoviewer, and Maps, their Contacts app, it's easy to see their icons apart from all the others because they all have a similar style, and CCleaner lets you uninstall things you can't uninstall through the default Control Panel uninstall menu, and after that, try a few video and image files to set VLC and IrfanView as the default programs. Also, uninstall the Microsoft Store completely, also doable through CCleaner, and to make it even more like Windows 7.

Also, make sure to use a Local account, instead of a Microsoft account, make sure you have a list of the software you use as well so you can reinstall it once you're on 10.

I used to be hugely against Windows 10, and minus the Windows Update, which still annoys me to this day, it isn't all that bad. It's safe to say, I've come to prefer Windows 10, after I threw my own spin on it, and made it mine, using the things listed above.

In the end, no Microsoft default programs crap, the tradition Windows start menu, no information gathering, and a local account, it's a pretty solid system I have from performing the steps above, the final decision is up to you friend, but personally, I'm not going back lol

Its much better and almost ever app run or game runs better

imo windows 7 was great, but windows 10 is loads better then 7 and runs better in my opinion, I would suggest doing the update as it's pretty dang similar to windows 7.

Windows 10 is way better I think, it's easier too use and more friendly

Honestly I know how you feel. I couldnt let go but I had to. It was time.

And now its time for you.

When I built my desktop I just put Windows 7 and it because to me it's the cleanest and best. I feel you 100% OP