Windows 7 support ending Jan. 14, 2020

[Threepoint]

I upgraded my wifes PC from win 7 to win 10. It was a free download from Microsoft but took ages. A lot of web pages said the time limit for the free download had expired, but mine worked and I m no PC geek.

Yup, I did this as well on my main laptop, two weeks ago. The free download from Microsoft worked fine for me, despite supposedly having expired. I was very pleasantly surprised, as I had assumed I would at least need to buy the software, perhaps even a new laptop if mine didn't meet the system requirements. Wonder if Microsoft has quietly kept the free download available on its site for pr reasons. Surely it must be intentional.

For me, the download was actually fairly quick and the installation went smoothly. I'm reasonably computer savvy, but certainly no geek. A few of the older programs don't work on Win 10, but nothing I can't work around or do without. So far I actually like Win 10. My wife's laptop came with it, so I had some familiarity with it already.

 

[nbking]

I have windows 7, and just downloaded the windows 10 tool, it is now downloading windows 10, hopefully will work. Thanks for the info, I have been looking at new computers for a bit. Maybe won't have to buy one yet.

 

[TractorGuy]

Sticking with 7 as long as possible here. We had one notebook that was built for 7 but had 10 on it. We don't use it often and every time we started it would do the auto update thing. It wouldn't do anything else while it was updating and was slow as molasses even after so I wiped it and put 7 back on. You can pause updates on 10 but you can't stop them.

I have another old notebook I just put XP back on to run BMW diagnostic software on.

 

[Diggin It]

Too many issues and takes too much programming time to make them compatible with all browser versions.

So, the people with the capabilities and resources to make things compatible think it's too much bother to do so and say 'toss the customer, make'em comply with our demands !!!!!!! Schnell!!!!!'

Any wonder why people hate corporations?

 

[Diggin It]

' Ve haf' vays to make z'em do vat ve say!!!!! '

 

[Threepoint]

I have windows 7, and just downloaded the windows 10 tool, it is now downloading windows 10, hopefully will work. Thanks for the info, I have been looking at new computers for a bit. Maybe won't have to buy one yet.

My 6 year old hp is actually running better since the win 10 download and install. Not what I expected at all. It actually loads programs (guess they're now called apps!) and reboots faster. Maybe it's more efficient. Or maybe the new os disabled some old incompatible stuff that was lugging things down.

 

[cdaigle430]

As a Windows Engineer you should always make sure you have the latest security patches not only on the Windows OS but all apps you have installed. It is your responsibility to make sure of that-not to make sure you have the latest and the greatest.
That being said-once Microsoft ends support for an OS it means no more developing security updates. Application venders follow suite and stop developing all applications for Windows 7 to include security updates. Windows 7 is 10 years old now-and if your still using XP? I bet your still driving Ford Model T to work LOL.
If you are one of those people who fights the system-this is NOT one of those times. Dont become the weakest link in the chain because your stubborn...you could be responsible for ransomware that takes your town down.
Again-Im not saying always have the latest for the sake of having the latest-I am saying you have a huge responsibility to make sure not only your devices have the latest security updates but also to be a responsible web surfer and email user.
I am saddened to see so many "fight the corporate greed" responses which really equates to "Make it easy for hackers".

 

[/pine]

As a Windows Engineer you should always make sure you have the latest security patches not only on the Windows OS but all apps you have installed. It is your responsibility to make sure of that-not to make sure you have the latest and the greatest.
That being said-once Microsoft ends support for an OS it means no more developing security updates. Application venders follow suite and stop developing all applications for Windows 7 to include security updates. Windows 7 is 10 years old now-and if your still using XP? I bet your still driving Ford Model T to work LOL.
If you are one of those people who fights the system-this is NOT one of those times. Dont become the weakest link in the chain because your stubborn...you could be responsible for ransomware that takes your town down.
Again-Im not saying always have the latest for the sake of having the latest-I am saying you have a huge responsibility to make sure not only your devices have the latest security updates but also to be a responsible web surfer and email user.
I am saddened to see so many "fight the corporate greed" responses which really equates to "Make it easy for hackers".

Geeze...a lot of this is just not true...A basic firewall can monitor all available ports...with a leak proof firewall nothing can leave a system through any port the user does not want it to...

The biggest risk of using no longer supported versions of Windows is not being able use the most secure versions of browser software...the issue being encryption depths for financial transactions etc...the only risk is to the users personal data when it gets sent via older browsers...

The only thing the average user does that "makes it easy for hackers" is use weak credential passwords etc...

 

[cdaigle430]

Geeze...a lot of this is just not true...A basic firewall can monitor all available ports...with a leak proof firewall nothing can leave a system through any port the user does not want it to...

The biggest risk of using no longer supported versions of Windows is not being able use the most secure versions of browser software...the issue being encryption depths for financial transactions etc...the only risk is to the users personal data when it gets sent via older browsers...

The only thing the average user does that "makes it easy for hackers" is use weak credential passwords etc...

Please dont pass on misinformation. A FW is just another hurdle but will not make you 100% safe. What makes you safe is closing all the doors possible...passwords, security updates, two step verification, diligence-all of this comes into play. Hackers are sophisticated and most unethical hackers dont work alone. The only 100% safe FW is where you disconnect completely from the internet and never open anything from the outside....not feasible.
The other thing is a FW is not a set and forget thing-it must be updated every day.

 

[/pine]

Please dont pass on misinformation. A FW is just another hurdle but will not make you 100% safe. What makes you safe is closing all the doors possible...passwords, security updates, two step verification, diligence-all of this comes into play. Hackers are sophisticated and most unethical hackers dont work alone. The only 100% safe FW is where you disconnect completely from the internet and never open anything from the outside....not feasible.
The other thing is a FW is not a set and forget thing-it must be updated every day.

I've been a UNIX sys admin for 25 years you are clueless...!