Windows 7 support ending Jan. 14, 2020

grsthegreat · Jan 4, 2020

Threepoint said:
If you are happy with your current PC and it meets the requirements for Windows 10, why not just download and install Windows 10 for free and see how that works for you? Rather than buy a new PC at this point. You'll still have that option.

because windows 10 sucks. i had 2 win10 machines that ended with blue screen of death within 1 week of being online. It always failed after FORCED windows updates.

FTG-05 · Jan 4, 2020

Oaktree said:
My approach is to do nothing until either my current computer goes feet up or gets so obsolete something I need/want to run won't. When that happens, buy new PC.

I'm careful with my browsing, and keep image backups so even if I do get attacked, I can just restore the image and I'll be at a pre-infection point. No need to panic.
I still run a couple XP machines for things that don't need to see the internet, or for remote access (via Teamviewer or something similar) to clients' networks.

I found a potential problem for me........

Threepoint · Jan 4, 2020

/pine said:
No such thing as free when it comes to commercial software...read the complete and entire TOS and user agreement that you have to agree to to install about any commercial software product...!

/pine, per my post #11, I upgraded my Windows 7 Home to Windows 10 early last month by following the steps in this CNET article:
Upgrade to Windows 1 free, here's how - CNET

I wasn't charged anything, or asked to pay anything to do it. It's been a month now, and so far I haven't been sent a bill.

That's all I mean by free. But I'm a lifetime learner, so let me know how you see it differently.

rekees4300 · Jan 5, 2020

FTG-05 said:
I'm debating between Option 1 (do nothing) and Option 4 (buy a new PC.

I bought this PC direct from Dell in 2012. All my non-program files (documents, pics, etc etc) are on internally added or external hard drives; so they should be removable and added to the new machine. The only thing on the main PC SSD hard drive are the program files.

I'd recommend option 4. My 2012 Dell XPS8500 still works fine but I know 8 years is pushing the life expectancy of any PC. On Black Friday bought a new Dell XPS8930 from Dell. Hard to resist the 40% discount they offered. Been transferring programs/files from the old one to new one. It's a major project but when the old one is RIP the new one will be ready.

/pine · Jan 5, 2020

Threepoint said:
/pine, per my post #11, I upgraded my Windows 7 Home to Windows 10 early last month by following the steps in this CNET article:
Upgrade to Windows 1� free, here's how - CNET

I wasn't charged anything, or asked to pay anything to do it. It's been a month now, and so far I haven't been sent a bill. That's all I mean by free. But I'm a lifetime learner, so let me know how you see it differently.

They give Windows 10 away because it is so full of spyware and tracking scripts (from a myriad of different companies) that they glean enough information from users to offset the cost of the software...

There is no such thing as a free lunch etc...

Threepoint · Jan 5, 2020

/pine said:
They give Windows 10 away because it is so full of spyware and tracking scripts (from a myriad of different companies) that they glean enough information from users to offset the cost of the software...

There is no such thing as a free lunch etc...

Thanks. I figured that's what you meant. And I don't doubt your point. Mine was simply that the Windows 10 Home upgrade "how-to" in the CNET article worked fine for me on my main laptop. It may work also for other TBN members similarly situated, in lieu of buying a new PC right away, which would likely come with Windows 10 Home pre-installed anyway if they don't buy a Chromebook.

I paid zero dollars, vs. the $129.99 to buy Windows 10 through, e.g., Amazon right now. Same result either way, with all the baggage that comes with Windows 10 in both cases. :laughing:

jjp8182 · Jan 5, 2020

So this is what the 3rd or 4th time Microsoft has said Windows 7 support is ending? I've honestly lost count.

Though I wish they'd just go ahead and end support, as I've generally found their products become far more stable after Microsoft stops supporting them - or at least that's been the track record: Windows 2000, Windows XP, (still have machines running both), along with the older versions as well (thankfully there are other solutions for running most DOS software).

Honestly with the number of breaches and the sophistication some have achieved it seems far more prudent (for individuals at least) to store any sensitive information on removable media that's connected to a computer with live internet connection only when it's actively needed/in-use.