RIP Windows 7. Now what?

[big10p]

So, a message popped up on my PC this morning to tell me Win7 is effectively dead i.e. there's no more security updates etc. Does this mean I'm forced to update to Win10 ASAP? I'm fine with sticking with Win7 but if that's going to leave it especially vulnerable to security exploits from now on, I'd rather not risk it.

I could really do without the PITA of installing another OS/drivers so may just see if I can pick up a cheap Win10 PC, maybe. Also, is it easy to get Win10 to look and function in the same way as Win7, as well as turn off all the MS data mining stuff?

Any advice much appreciated. Cheers.

P.S. Please no suggestions of Linux. I have software (and other reasons) that requires Windows.

big10p2020-01-15 17:47:19

 

[DanP]

Personally I didn't find Win 10 that much different to Win 7, the learning curve isn't too steep. They did put the 'start' button back which has helped. The cost of it however is still too much, esp. compared to Mac OSX and the other OS you don't want me to mention This assumes your hardware is able to actually run Win 10 of course.

 

[Alpha1]

Windows 10 is awesome. Embrace it as it's better than 7 by far. I believe even though Microsoft have ended the free upgrade offer you can still do it one of two ways.

 

[Alpha1]

Also during the setup it asks you about your data and sharing preferences and you can easily select what you want.

 

[Ace`]

I got this today on my work pc which I won't be upgrading, far too much software that won't work on win10. 'Extended Security Updates' will be available for a cost or on certain torrent sites I am sure for a good while.

Windows 10 isn't too bad (although I do prefer 7/8.1), I installed classic start menu as I hate the new start menu and you'll want to install SpybotAntiBeaconPortable too to block all the spyware and sh*t.

Ace`2020-01-15 18:36:54

 

[Bods]

Windows 7 I thought was crap, so many issues on websites, can't have it go in standby and watch video or listen to music when it comes back out, so have to hibernate and then back on and works again or reboot

What about putting 8 on instead for now, my dad uses it and says it's alright, he prefers it to 10 but he's probably only on games for most of the time

Need to change mine too so not sure what to use

Anyone know why Microsoft offered free upgrade to 10, I was quite sceptical to their reasons, they have never done anything free before, I wondered if they are making money with people on it some how, data or something the selling from people using it, surely some reason

 

[Flinnster]

Win95 for the win...

 

[Alpha1]

Windows 7 I thought was crap, so many issues on websites, can't have it go in standby and watch video or listen to music when it comes back out, so have to hibernate and then back on and works again or reboot

?

What about putting 8 on instead for now, my dad uses it and says it's alright, he prefers it to 10 but he's probably only on games for most of the time

?

Need to change mine too so not sure what to use

?

Anyone know why Microsoft offered free upgrade to 10, I was quite sceptical to their reasons, they have never done anything free before, I wondered if they are making money with people on it some how, data or something the selling from people using it, surely some reason

Imagine just doing security updates for one consumer OS versus 3.

 

[AnDyC]

Win95 for the win...

Pfft 3.11 you n00b.

 

[big10p]

Cheers for the info so far. Before I decide what to do, can someone confirm my current PC specs are good enough for win10 to run smoothly, if I upgrade:

3.6GHz i3 (4th gen)

8GB

240GB SSD

Cheers

 

[AnDyC]

Cheers for the info so far. Before I decide what to do, can someone confirm my current PC specs are good enough for win10 to run smoothly, if I upgrade:

3.6GHz i3 (4th gen)

8GB

240GB SSD

Cheers

Yes plenty, add an old gfx card like a gfx 960 and you're flying.

 

[ShinraArcade]

Windows 7 I thought was crap, so many issues on websites, can't have it go in standby and watch video or listen to music when it comes back out, so have to hibernate and then back on and works again or reboot

What about putting 8 on instead for now, my dad uses it and says it's alright, he prefers it to 10 but he's probably only on games for most of the time

Need to change mine too so not sure what to use

Anyone know why Microsoft offered free upgrade to 10, I was quite sceptical to their reasons, they have never done anything free before, I wondered if they are making money with people on it some how, data or something the selling from people using it, surely some reason

Imagine just doing security updates for one consumer OS versus 3.

Although they still had to support 3 of them until last night (now 2) but the theory holds true for the newly adopted model of a single evolving OS. Another bonus for them is with each feature update they just end support for older systems without a care.

 

[cools]

You can't turn off the telemetry completely, and it likes to switch itself back on.

Unless you're actively avoiding as much data theft as you can on other devices you use there's no point worrying. If you ARE taking steps throughout your online life then Windows 10 needs to be well cordoned off or never connected to the internet

 

[ShinraArcade]

So, a message popped up on my PC this morning to tell me Win7 is effectively dead i.e. there's no more security updates etc. Does this mean I'm forced to update to Win10 ASAP? I'm fine with sticking with Win7 but if that's going to leave it especially vulnerable to security exploits from now on, I'd rather not risk it.

I could really do without the PITA of installing another OS/drivers so may just see if I can pick up a cheap Win10 PC, maybe. Also, is it easy to get Win10 to look and function in the same way as Win7, as well as turn off all the MS data mining stuff?

Any advice much appreciated. Cheers.

P.S. Please no suggestions of Linux. I have software (and other reasons) that requires Windows.

Got to move to 10 for sure, like others have said it's not much different from 7 on the Surface if anything a bit more user friendly interfaces although a lot of the Windows 7 style stuff is there if you dig around.

The upgrade is really easy, you won't have any problems unless your machine is really ancient.

For any MAME etc systems you might own you can continue to use all older operating systems as long as you don't connect them to the internet.

 

[AnDyC]

Fwiw you can still upgrade to 10 for free with a valid 7 or 8 key too.

 

[ShinraArcade]

Fwiw you can still upgrade to 10 for free with a valid 7 or 8 key too.

Can you really? is it the same process as before or is it some sort of workaround?

Have you done this yourself recently?

 

[thesharkfactor]

My windows 7 - 10 story

About 10yrs ago I bought a super duper high spec built myself pc. It maxxed out nearly everything in the Windows Experience Index, a flying machine.

Later I upgraded to win8 and my pc got slower. I upgraded again this time to win10 and pc was a snail.

Facing buying a whole new high spec system (spend lots) or live with a wheezing snail.. Instead I bought another new SSD and installed win7 again.. and lo and behold:

..turbo speed pc'ing again. I saw no value whatseover in win8 or or win10 for my desktop uses which includes work and surf and a tiny bit of modern gaming.. I don't need win10, or at least I didn't until today??

I don't have ££££ to spend on a pc that will perform like my screaming hot 10yr old one (for the record it's a 4.2ghz early i7, 18gb ram, SSD's and a fancy gfx card).

thesharkfactor2020-01-15 20:44:03

 

[big10p]

Good stuff. Thanks all.

Fwiw you can still upgrade to 10 for free with a valid 7 or 8 key too.

How do I do this, please? I have a boxed, retail version of win7, so I assume this will do? Scratch that - getting confused with MS Office. I remember now I got win7 from a legit supplier on ebay (honest!). Think they were from decomissioned PCs, or summat.

big10p2020-01-15 21:00:05

 

[ShinraArcade]

Good stuff. Thanks all.

Fwiw you can still upgrade to 10 for free with a valid 7 or 8 key too.

How do I do this, please? I have a boxed, retail version of win7, so I assume this will do?

Just been googling this and it seems to be more or less how it used to be.

https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/upgrade-to-windows-10-free

Failing this you can always by a Product key from ebay for about £10 I've not heard of one failing yet.

Did you ever register for the free upgrade? you would have just had to click on a popup in your sys tray.

ShinraArcade2020-01-15 21:01:19

 

[AnDyC]

I recommend a 7 pro license so you upgrade to 10 pro.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/1/14/21065140/how-to-upgrade-microsoft-windows-7-10-free-os