Posted on 01/13/2020 9:11:43 AM PST by dayglored
Deadlines are scary. I know. And Microsoft has thrown Windows 7 users a big one: Update to a more modern operating system by January 15, 2020, or youll never receive security updates ever again. Eventually, Microsoft will even start disabling key Windows 7 serviceslike Internet Backgammon and Internet Checkersthroughout the year.
Im being a little lighthearted about this, but Microsofts abandonment of Windows 7 is a cause of concern for many. Lifehacker reader Douglas recently wrote in with this question:
I was reading your writeup regarding Windows 7 and I really cannot afford to upgrade at this exact moment. Is it catastrophic if I dont upgrade now? Thanks in advance for your helpCatastrophic? No. If youre still clinging to Windows 7, odds are good that youre using it to address simple handful of simpler needssending email, browsing the web, etc. That, or perhaps you have a few specific applications that dont work with future versions of Windows, or you might even be running Windows 7 on old hardware that cant handle the upgrade for whatever reason (speed or available space).
Windows 7 will keep working come January 15. However, now that Microsoft wont be releasing any more security updates for the operating system, its true that Windows 7 will be more vulnerable to attack. No question there.
However, Im willing to go out on a limb and say that youll be able to mitigate most issues with some good common sense. In Lifehacker terms, that means thinking hard about your cyber-security setup at home and doing everything you can to ensure that software doesnt get on your machine that can take advantage of any vulnerabilities that will not be patched going forward.
Were I still using Windows 7, Id go the nuclear option. Id install some variant of Linux on my system and run Windows 7 in a virtual machine, thereby giving me a fresh, updated system to work with for everyday activities, and access to Windows 7 for any super-specific apps or services I need to use. Its not a tricky process, but its possible that setting up this kind of a configuration might be over the heads of many people still using Windows 7. That, or your system is too underpowered to run a VM. (Ill likely write a guide for this next week, so stay tuned!)
Otherwise, theres plenty else you can do to keep yourself as protected as possible from exploits while you cling to the sweet familiarity of Windows 7. The list is pretty comprehensive:
I dont want to come out and say that theres a picture-perfect way to secure Windows 7 starting January 15 (aside from unplugging your computer from the web). Im guessing that most attacks will initiate from user activity; as in, some kind of phishing attempt or malware will trip you up, and this will be how a rogue app infects your system and exploits your older OS. If you practice some cybersecurity common sense, you should be able to avoid most (or all) of these instances.
Thats not to say that you should cling to Windows 7 forever. No operating system is one-hundred-percent secure, but Id much rather stick with an operating system Microsoft is actively patching than one that it isnt. Conversely, even if you bump up to Windows 10, you should still follow the instructions in this article, where applicable. Having solid security practices is one of your best lines of defense against malware, viruses, and other unpleasant digital issues.
If all you are doing is browsing internet, email, doing some documents etc then windows 7 is fine if you follow some good practices to stay safe. Snapshots allow you to revert your computer to a time when it was known to be virus free should you end up getting a virus-
I would suggest though buying a very cheap laptop that you can wirelessly connect to internet router to do any type of banking online, or store purchases, like at amazon, walmarts or wherever- that will remain disconnected UNTIL you need to do the banking or purchasing online- On such a computer, you might want to run either windows 10 or linux which will be even safer-
On your main machine however:
[[its true that Windows 7 will be more vulnerable to attack]]
Solution = Virtual machine
another Solution = Sandbox
Another Solution = RollBackRX
all of these have the capability to create snapshots (IF you create them manually)- and restoring a previous known good state takes just a minute or two- so you can browse the net for months, with no issues, and if you do end up getting a virus, you can simply revert to a known good state- A good practice is to create a snapshot as soon as possible, then create more as each week, or couple of weeks goes by, and keep deleting the second oldest one (You wanna keep your first snapshot, as that will be the ‘cleanest one’, and will be a ‘last resort’ snapshot to go back to) as you create new ones- do try to only keep a few, a they can take up significant amount of room
Also- back up any important stuff that you create and want to keep- maybe store them all in a special folder so you can back up that one folder from time to time
Win7 was released back in 2009. 10 years ago. 120 months worth of "security updates". AND IT STILL ISN'T SECURE????
But the much newer Win10 is more secure? Yeah right...
OK, I just stopped giving a damn. Pale Moon browser + NoScript + VPN...give it your best shot, hacker scum.
I don’t know if MS is still allowing free downloads of win 10, but you can use it without registering, you’ll just have a watermark and won’t be able to do minor stuff like choose your own background- Maybe they’ve changed that now, and won’t allow it to even work if you don’t register it? I have had it running in a virtual machine, unregistered, for a few years now, and it’s still working- I do though keep reverting to a previous snapshot within the VM- so that might explain it why it still works?
Thanks so much for these posts. I’ll be going down your list and take precautions in the next day or two, since I plan to hang in there with 7.
I don’t trust Microsoft not to intentionally hose your Win 7 system if you are dumb enough to keep your Windows Update turned on. I’ve had my machine with Windows Update turned off since last April. I have updating anti-virus, anti-malware, firewall and VPN with so far no hint of anything nasty getting through to my machine.
I would advise two steps:
1) make a clean backup to an external source before tomorrow just to have a recoverable backup if needed.
2) if Windows Update isn’t already disabled, go to Control Panel —> System and Security —> Windows Update —> Let Me Choose My Settings —> Never
Be extra careful about clicking links, especially from emails. Hover over the link and look at the bottom of your window for the actual link address. If it seems in any way suspicious, don’t click on it.
I think you’ll be able to enjoy several more years of Windows 7 use before the technology eventually evolves past the capability of your machine but if you are primarily using your machine for sending/receiving emails, playing Win 7 compatible games or surfing internet sites (like FR), you should be fine.
Also, move off of Microsoft-owned browsers and email programs that will likely check the version you are on and demand you upgrade. And always be sure that your security programs (anti-virus, anti-malware and firewall) have loaded properly upon bootup before proceeding.
No. Just no updates. Of course given how often the updates make things worse. You’re probably better off.
If you like your Windows, keep your Windows. I know people still on XP with no problems. Personally, I have one machine on 10, one on 8.1 and one on 7. They all work just fine.
I've been retired for a few years from IT support so I am not current on all the issues other than supporting my own and family member's machines. That said, I've never been hacked following proper computing practices and doing updates in a timely manor. There are valid reasons not to do OS upgrades and updates because of cost or totally breaking a critical application. If I were to run a private consulting business, I would get it in writing that is OK the customer accepts the risk..
Bookmark.
I have a copy of Win7 that I run only as a VM. I haven't patched it in forever. Never use it for browsing. Is very occasionally used to do iTunes backup of my phone, but that's about it. Thankfully, disk space is cheap.
https://www.howtogeek.com/277448/how-to-make-windows-10-look-and-act-more-like-windows-7/
https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/make-windows-10-like-windows-7
http://www.mediafire.com/file/d5llbbm8wu92jg8/ClassicShellSetup_4_3_1.exe/file
Oh, so YOURE that guy!
Samething... in fact this is the original source for Zorin and the “cinnamon” is the best.
https://linuxmint.com/release.php?id=31
Gee whiz, just get Linux and be done with all that junk forever... Why is everyone being so masochistic? Contrary to popular belief, it is not against the law to use something other than Microsoft and be rid of all these problems...
Yeah, subtle but effective. :-) And that "2079" figure was true when Win10 first came out (about 3GB) but these days it would be more like 3500 floppies.
> I have a copy of Win7 that I run only as a VM. I haven't patched it in forever. Never use it for browsing. Is very occasionally used to do iTunes backup of my phone, but that's about it. Thankfully, disk space is cheap.
I have a Win7-64 Pro VM that I have kept patched (no more after tomorrow, of course), but I have copies of the VMDK in a couple different places for restoration in case of trouble.
Actually the same protocol for Win10. "Friends don't let friends install Windows on the metal."
My man!
There are many non-MicroThief browsers to choose from so that one is easily accomplished. However, there aren't many (if any) non-MicroThief email programs that can do what Outlook does. I know people throw out Mozilla Thunderbird but even that can't do everything that Outlook does, unless I'm missing something.
Is there there any email clients out there that are worth a hoot and that can do what Outlook does.
So am I!
So am I!
These hostage tactics by Microsoft convince me that I need to move to Linux. I am *NOT* going to "upgrade" to Windows 10.
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