windows 7 is done ?

[shaper]

When I turned the computer on this morning a notice came up. Microsoft is no longer supporting windows 7.
I tried W 10 and don't like it at all. What is my options now.

[Froogal]

I had no choice but to go with Windows 10. My old computer running Windows Vista just flat died so I had to buy a new computer. Windows 10 was the only choice. I didn't like it at first, and still don't like it, but I am getting along with it. Downloading and installing the Firefox browser was the only thing that saved me.

[NSB]

You can keep using it until it no longer runs on your computer, or.....you can do like I did and start using Windows 10 which I really, really hate. It's like going to another country and not being able to speak the language. Probably the best option going forward is to get an Apple tablet and learn to use it. It can be set up to use a keyboard, a mouse, and do all the things you do now. It's doesn't continually barrage you with updates you don't understand and it keeps running without you having to do anything except use it. If you want it with the keyboard, etc you'll probably need someone to set all that up for you. Most of my computer usage after retiring is emails, google searches for info on different things, and storing pictures I keep off my trail cameras. I don't need Windows 10 to do all that. As far as I'm concerned, Microsoft can take a flying leap. I think Apple is probably the way to go.

[popper]

Win 7 still works, just no more security fixes coming. Linux Mint works fine, is easy to install. Visual desktop is very good now and doesn't crash like it used to do. Also FREE! Firefox just did an emergency/security update.

[Wayne Smith]

But Apple support also runs out. I have a 16gig Ipad that is no longer supported. From 32 and up now are all they support.

[Mal Paso]

Apple seems like the only choice. I was hoping Microsoft would come up with a professional operating system but it was too much to ask of the bureaucratic mess that is Microsoft.

I will stick with win 7 offline as long as I can and get started soon on a Mac. Linux won't run Photoshop or QuickBooks.

[DanishM1Garand]

You can use it. I know a guy that surfs the web on Windows 3.1 and hasn’t a care in the world as no one tried to propagate viruses for 3.1.

[kayala]

Worst part about Win10 is that it is the biggest spyware/adware today. Their "telemetry" can be partially disabled but who knows how effective this disable is. If OSX/IOS (apple) is out of the question due to price one can get switch to one of the numerous Linux distributions. For web surfing and basic office requirements (like composing texts or spreadsheets) Linux will do just fine.

[hollywood63]

I dabbled in Linux distor's years ago dual booting my PC with XP. Looks like I'm going to have to get back into Linux which I always liked and was able to get whatever I needed to work

[C.F.Plinker]

Win 7 still works, just no more security fixes coming.

Will the McAfee and Norton security programs take care of any/most problems that we as users will see?

[ioon44]

I am interested in getting out of windows 10 and Google.

[pworley1]

When windows 7 was replaced by windows 10 I switched to Linux. Once I had it up and running all the windows problem went away. It has all the free software I need to do all I need to do.

[rockrat]

I am still running Vista on my desktop and win 8 on my laptop. If I have to, I will get an Apple laptop to take place of my Vista unit, but so far, its barely hanging on. Can't buy a new printer to work with it, some files have been corrupted and can't print anymore. I have to forward to my laptop and then print from that!

[454PB]

Another vote for Linux Mint.

[waksupi]

When I got my new computer, I took it to the shop before I even turned it on. Had them scrub every trace of Windows and install Linux. Zero problems since then.

[pcolapaddler]

Choices...
Continue to use Windows 7. You will likely not receive any new updates from MS. At some point, updated versions of Chrome and/or Firefox may stop working. A careful user can probably get away with it. A happy clicker that will open any attachment or click on any link without thinking may run into trouble - but that is true for any OS. Keep a back up of your data.

Install Linux. Some things may not work as you are accustomed to. Some may not work at all. There can be a learning curve.

Buy new device. PC, tablet, many choices, but eventually all will fall off of the support life cycle.

In the new device arena, if you need mainly web browser and email, a Chromebook or Chromebox can't be beat. Inexpensive, practically automatic updates, little virus concern.


Sent from my SM-G935U using Tapatalk

[dangitgriff]

You can use it. I know a guy that surfs the web on Windows 3.1 and hasn’t a care in the world as no one tried to propagate viruses for 3.1.

That’s actually pretty smart.

[farmerjim]

Most of my computers are on Linux, But I need one to run some of the programs that will not run on Linux. I started with ubuntu and like it a lot, but am starting to like Mint better each day. You can set your computer up to dual boot both windows and linux. They need to be on separate drives or partitions.

[Dimner]

You can use it. I know a guy that surfs the web on Windows 3.1 and hasn’t a care in the world as no one tried to propagate viruses for 3.1.

I know a guy that walks to work, and doesn't have a care in the world as no one has ever tried to car jack him.


Just trying to illustrate a point. 3.1 might be great for very basic web browsing, but only on sites that are also, very basic. No one makes viruses to infect 3.1 because what would they gain? no CC info, no SSNs, because ecommerce would be severely limited with 3.1


Back to the original subject... So with windows 7... They have stopped security updates. So that means if an exploit is found to put a virus on the computer that exploit will not get fixed. however anti virus software will still be able to remove the virus.

I have a machine that is pre-windows 7 (cannot remember what MS OS it has, maybe 98?). It only connects to the internet for 1 purpose, has no anti virus, surfs no websites. And it's secure as can be. However if I did my taxes with that machine and clicked on a bunch of spam emails? I'd have my info stolen in a second.

I guess what I am trying to say is Use Windows 7 for a very long time. Be smart about how you use your machine and what information you put into your machine. Run an anti-virus software package (please not norton, or MAcaffe they hog memory) and do your thing.

[Scrounge]

When I turned the computer on this morning a notice came up. Microsoft is no longer supporting windows 7.
I tried W 10 and don't like it at all. What is my options now.

If you don't mind being offline to avoid being a target for hackers, nothing at all. If you want to continue going online, you either need to upgrade at least to Window 8.1, or 10. I am no longer a fan of Window, but if you've spent a lot of time learning it, like I have, or have a lot of expensive commercial software, like Photoshop, Acrobat, any of the high-end CAD/CAM graphics/desktop publishing software, you need to upgrade to Windows 10. I'm stuck with it, myself, because I'm trying to learn to use Solidworks. Gotta have Win10 & a relatively high-end machine. As a veteran, you can get a 1-year student license for Solidworks for $20. It's worth putting up with Win 10 for that alone.

If all you do is surf the Web, and email, you can switch to Linux. It's free. Several of the newer versions are very windows-like, and you can download it, burn it to a flash drive or DVD, and try it out to see how you like it. The default browser is usually Firefox, which a lot of folks really like. You can also get WaterFox, which is a 64bit version of FireFox software to take advantage of 64-bit operating systems and hardware. I could be wrong, but I'm going to say all modern desktops and at least most full laptops are now 64bit machines.

If you decide to stick with Windows, and go to Win10, you can also get FireFox and WaterFox. Also Brave, which I like, and Chrome, which is the Google software, and for them, YOU are the product. I don't use Google for anything I can avoid. They're also Android, however, so even I can't avoid them entirely. All those browsers are also available in both Windows 10, multiple flavors or Linux, and Android OS's. Can't tell you much about Apple/Mac/Ipad/Iphone because I won't use their stuff at all. Gotten to be almost as bad as MS these days, and their hardware is way more expensive. Though a lot of people like their stuff, too.

Beginner-friendly versions of Linux include Linux Mint, Ubuntu, and some others that I don't remember at the moment. Those are the last two I tried, setup is fairly easy, and they're designed to be easy to use. Only problem for me is I use Epson All-in-one printer/scanner/fax machines, and the Linux drivers for them don't work as well as the Windows 10 drivers.

Hope that helps!