Stilly

Thanks for the advice but!

I have never had any real problems over the years with the loss of stuff and have never subscribed to anything microsoft.

I am very careful about backing things up and always have at least two copies of anything I consider important.

In September of 2019 I decided it would be advantageous to have at least one machine with the latest windows system on as it was obvious that web access and surfing was becoming increasingly slower on my then current laptop operating on XP (still the best for anything even half clever with access).

I bought a small laptop and ensured I had at least got it basically trained before setting off on our annual missionary work to the southern antipodes.

I took my XP laptop as well as I knew that relying on an Oracle version would not be guaranteed.

All very fine and dandy until I was in Cairns in January 2020 and had spent a full day covering the special rail scene and had a great photographic record. I decided to back up the day's files to my new laptop - I had foolishly decided to trust it on the trip as it was easier to keep within the internal flight weight restrictions.
I placed the memory card from the camera into the adapter and plugged into the laptop, identified the files I wished to copy and pressed go.
Disaster - the bloody machine succeeded only in corrupting my memory card. I had no way of repeating the events of the day as the next timetable was three days hence and looking on the web it appeared there where programmes to deal with the problem those bastards at microsoft had given me.

I left things until I got back to the UK in March of 2020 and then investigated further.

The feed back I got indicated that the first thing I needed to do using the programme I was thinking of buying was to format the memory card!!!!!!!!

It is still in its case awaiting a chance to deal with it with someone I trust.