I would like to state right away, that I am in no way, presenting myself as a computer expert. So please, constructive comments, or corrections, are welcome. This is a post to hopefully answer questions posed friends, family and users, about the end of Windows 7. I am grateful to Pete, after seeing his post this morning on his Blog, It reminded me that I needed to do a post for my forum members that have questions.
Can you still use Windows 7?
January 14, 2020, we will have to say goodbye to an old friend, Windows 7. Considered the best version of the Microsoft OS by many, and still used by people and businesses alike, will no longer be supported. Many of us have resisted the update to Windows 10. If you’re still a hold-out, you will eventually have to make plans to change. Upgrade to Windows 10, or learn something new. Can you still use Windows 7? Yes, but eventually it will become a security risk. It may take months, or it could be only days. Antivirus, and malware detectors, will buy some time. However, as new vulnerabilities in the code itself are discovered, there will be no patches coming. Eventually, there will be many vulnerabilities found, for which there will be no defense.
For those not familiar with the terms, a virus/worm/trojan/ or malware is a program/code written by someone to cause harm or steal information from your computer. Those items can be detected and often times stopped, by software you utilize on your computer. A vulnerability, is a problem found by someone, in the OS code itself. Something that can be used for leverage against a computer. These problems are normally taken care of by Microsoft via patches and updates. Any vulnerabilities, discovered after the end-of-life for Windows 7, will be a serious security risk.
What are our options? Upgrade, or Change. Simplest is upgrade. Windows 10 is loved by many, and disliked by many, just as Windows 7 was. Someone asked me if the free upgrade to Windows 10 was over. Technically, yes. However, as of last year, there were still ways to get upgrades to Windows 10. That’s the simplest. It may require a new computer, as the software needs more horse power, than most Win 7 computers did. Some have enough power, some don’t.
Apple/Mac
You could move to something like, Apple/Mac. While very expensive and proprietary, it is a good brand. Way out of my league, fixed income won’t allow that for me. You’ll have to learn some new terminology and how to do things a little different, but it is well-spoken of. My daughter worked support for Apple for 3 years. She loves using Apple products.
Linux
Linux. It’s totally free. I moved to it five years ago. More secure, and never tries to sell you something. Linux is now as easy to install, as Windows. Except it’s faster, and very secure. Linux is free, I can afford that on a fixed income. It runs on older machines, no need for upgrades when the OS updates versions. It has free Open Office suites that rival and look a lot like MS Office. Maintained by people who love choice and freedom.
Questions/Comments always welcome.
Thanks very much for the valuable information, Ron. A good coincidence, with my own W7 post today. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
Actually, your great post reminded me that I was supposed to have already done this for my forum. I figured, those that don’t frequent your blog, could use the information.
They could! 🙂
Fortunately I bought a Mac several years ago and find that while the computer was expensive the free customer support is invaluable.
Good support is a real plus, especially when free!
Why don’t more people use Linux? Is it more difficult to learn?
Hard to give a short answer, Kate. Best answer was Linux was used by geeks or IT specialist, it was difficult for the average user to install. It was a tool for development, still is. Windows just filled the niche for a user friendly OS that had all graphical interface for the user first. so Linux remained a lesser used OS. There was no commercial incentive to woo the masses, since Linux is not owned by any one entity. It is totally free.
Fast forward about 8 years to the present, and people that liked and used Linux, began taking an interest in making it more user friendly with a totally graphical interface of many kinds. It is also, like windows, nearly auto install friendly, with the user only having to click on options they want during the install, set up password etc. just like windows. Once you had to find drivers, I bought a new all-in-one Canon printer, it was plug and play.
Updates? Windows updates have always been flaky. Sometimes terribly slow, and as of recent times, “forced” on the user. Linux can be set to auto update, but most of us want more control than we had with Windows. So there is a section on your desktop where you can go, check for updates, and click to install. They come out as soon as they are needed, not once a month, or never at all. Linux prides itself on security, waiting a month to release updates is not a secure model.
Stability? I have a small computer running Linux, it holds all of Michelle’s books, so that she can access what she wants to read and save space on her tablet or phone. It also takes a picture every 10 minutes, uploads it to my forum for display. It ran for the last 6 months without a reboot. I had to shut it down the other day to move the wall receptacle. That is not to say, that you can’t crash Linux, it just runs more stable with less maintenance.
Software? Most software is carefully screened before being made made available to the general users. You can get other software from other sites, but you are stepping out of your total security bubble, although malware in Linux programs is nearly unheard of. There are some rootkits, and viruses for Linux, but far less than windows, due to the smaller user base.
So why is it less used? There’s really no money to be made from marketing it, unless you develop an enterprise version, and charge for it. It is not touted much, as Linux users enjoy the smaller footprint in the world, smaller means less of a target for someone that wants to create mischief. Why waste time writing a virus that will only impact 2% – 4% of the worlds computer users. Plus, as a Linux user, you’re more security conscious., and the OS basically forces you to use a user account. That keeps anything that gets in under your account, from doing damage without a password given.
How hard is it to learn? Think of the switch to Windows 7. Some terminology changes, You learn to use your file explorer which is just like windows file explorer. I enjoy Linux, because it is free. It is at this time, more secure, and stable than most. Installing programs is as simple as going to the “software manager” in your desktop, picking out the program you want, and clicking install. Removing it is easier than Windows, and leaves far less trash behind.
Sorry for the long reply.Thanks for your question.
Yes, Linux are great and can bring some life back from older machines where Windows would not run. I think if you do not need main stream app. or don’t mind searching for open-source compatible versions then Linux is for you. I would hesitate for those who are not computer friendly kind though.
Right you are YellowCable. It has to be something you want to try. Like going from Windows to Mac. I have found all the programs to replace my Windows programs. The only thing I have found that is hard to find in Linux, is a decent envelope printer. Of course not many Linux users use envelopes I guess.
Thanks for the great feedback YellowCable.
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That was very interesting, Ron. I switched to Windows 10 when I bought a new computer. I didn’t think the transition was hard, and I’ve enjoyed using it. I already use Apache Open Office, so I presume I could switch to Linux without too many problems. I’m chicken! I wouldn’t know where to go for help if I messed everything up trying to install Linux. It’s easier to keep on with the things I am familiar with.
I only mention Linux as another path. I don’t blame people for not wanting to change. I would be lost trying to use Windows 10, I need to get me a free copy and use it some, so I can help those that use Win 10. I am lost at the moment trying to help someone fix something.
Thanks so much for the comment, Anne.
Thanks for this, Ron – I’ve made the change to Windows 10 since it came with the new computer, so I’m OK with it. My hubby, however, has been resisting giving up 7. I’ll tell him about Linux – he might just go that route.
He can download it, I suggest Linux Mint for those new to Linux. Use a program called Etcher that runs on windows and Linux, burn that image/file on a usb thumb drive using Etcher. Then boot to the thumb drive, and use it till he feels whether he likes it or not. If he does, he can install it from that same thumbdrive later.
Thanks for the comment, Maggie.
I was a die-hard Windows user (especially when I was working and it was the system they used), but switched to Mac for all my personal use. While it is an expensive system at the front end, I absolutely LOVE it. It’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks and it took a long minute to get used to how the system works. I don’t think I could go back to the Window system. Linux sounds like a good alternative to meet your needs, and that’s what it’s all about. I’m not tech savvy, so it’s almost all Greek to me.
Thanks for the comment. Like you, I can’t go back to windows, Everyone has a favorite windows version, Mine Was Windows 7. I have one laptop that still has Windows 7 on it, along with Linux.
I still remember fondly, Win 7.
I liked Windows 7. But when Windows 10 arrived, it was free if I switched. So I did because I didn’t want problems down the road. The only problem is the continual updates. I often needed to reinstall my printers and scanner.
That was the time to switch, if wanting to make the change. I hate when updates that are supposed to make things better, break something else and I have to re-do it. Thanks for the comment.