[dayglored]

Lots of links (mostly to other LifeHacker pages) in the parent article.

[beef]

LifeHacker is good. So is MakeUseOf. Lots of good info.

[GOPJ]

bttt

[blam]

I just completed a complete system restore and software update on my Win-7 system.

I'm not changing to anyrhing else...I'm in for the long-haul with Win-7.

Good luck everyone.

[catnipman]

i disabled updates on W7 for most of my clients years ago because MS updates caused WAY more problems than they solved.

their systems are secure because i always establish a Limited User Account that they use for their work, in addition to a default administrator account that they never use themselves, and which is used exclusively by me for software/printer adds/removes/updates ...

[nbenyo]

Still using XP. Even though my system says it has 93% free space, I was told I can’t upgrade so I need a new PC.
I copy my personal files to a flash drive every week.

[Bob434]

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:

[[it’s 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

[Moltke]

However, now that Microsoft won’t be releasing any more security updates for the operating system

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.

[Bob434]

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?

[MayflowerMadam]

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.

[OrangeHoof]

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.

[discostu]

No. Just no updates. Of course given how often the updates make things worse. You’re probably better off.

[Cobra64]

Sky is falling! Get out now! Women and children hardest hit!

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.

[DiogenesLamp]

"Update to a more modern operating system by January 15, 2020, or you’ll never receive security updates ever again. Eventually, Microsoft will even start disabling key Windows 7 services."

These hostage tactics by Microsoft convince me that I need to move to Linux. I am *NOT* going to "upgrade" to Windows 10.

[Robert357]

Windows 7 is much more stable than Windows 10. If you are running Windows 7, it is probably on an older machine. Sooner or later that machine will need a new power supply or the old CPU and probably limited amount of memory will become just too little for new software that may tempt you.

Finally, at some point you will likely want to use new peripherals that use things the Windows 7 and its packaged drivers don't really support say that use USB C power & video.

The point is I have some window's 10 machines, and a Windows 7. I am not going to upgrade the Windows 7, but i will be careful as to the files I examine and I will back things up regularly.

[timestax]

bttt

[Abigail Adams]

Bookmark for later.

[matthew fuller]

Thanks for this info.

[McGruff]

So far it’s a nothing burger. Fired up a couple of Windows 7 machines with no problems.

[musicman]

BFLR