How long should I keep Windows 7 and delay upgrading?

Hey, guys... my laptop isn't the newest but it's ok for now. I've used 7 on this laptop since I got it and never felt the need to upgrade for common reasons like habit and avoiding all types of bugs in newer OS's, decent specs on this laptop and being used to 7 and knowing where to find things. I use it strictly for playing online poker and running 3 poker software simultaneously along with the clients and it doesn't hog up too many resources at this point.

I've tried 8 on my newer desktop and I don't like it all. Feels like I have to go through more of an effort just to do simple tasks, lots of things have changed and I just feel frustrated finding or doing certain things that I know how to do on 7. I am guessing it also takes up more resources to run and I've heard all kinds of problems with speed issues from others on forums. I can only imagine what 9 and 10 are like, if you can chime in, I'd appreciate it.

I still have XP running on a desktop from 8+ years ago which is used to surf and write word docs, spreadsheets, etc. 8 is not a possible upgrade for this machine due to limited specs.

My questions:

1. When should I upgrade my 7 on the laptop and why? If yes, to what OS? I was planning on using 7 until they stop making updates for it which apparently is not too far off from what I've read.

2. Same questions for my XP desktop.

Thanks in advance guys!

I just downgraded from Windows 10 to Win 7 on two of my machines and will not re-upgrade ever unless Microsoft decides to release a true operating system instead of just an "operating system as a service" which Win 10 is. Win 7 is supported (critical updates) till 2020 after that you can decide what to do from there, me I'll just be careful where I go on the internet and be careful what I download, it's my gaming machine so my internet browsing on it is limited anyway. As for the rest (I have three others) I'll probably go Linux as I already have with my laptop.
As for your question concerning when you should upgrade...... That's really up to you and in reality if you want to stay with Windows then 10 is you're only long term solution, now your XP machine is a whole different story, run it only on occasion to keep it from rotting and wait till it becomes a valuable antique you can sell via Sotheby's.

1. I wouldn't upgrade the computer with 7 on it till 2020 (i.e. when Microsoft quits releasing security patches for it). At that time, or shortly before, I would go either to 8.1 with Classic Shell (because you can make it look and feel just like Windows 7 when you have Classic Shell installed) or to Xubuntu Linux.

2. I would put Xubuntu Linux on the XP machine if you're going to continue to surf the web on it. You're living dangerously by surfing the web with XP, especially in light of all of the really bad malware out there these days. Install an SSD in that machine, and put Xubuntu on it; then copy what you need from the old hard drive, then put the old hard drive in a static bag and store it in case you ever need anything from it or want to go back to XP.

When M$ stops to deliver security updates in 2020, I would stay with Win 7 till the hardware fails. No security updates doesn't mean that the computer won't work. In fact, it will work the same way it does today. I didn't like Win 10, so don't intent to use it.
I also have Linux (Lubuntu) and it's great. Fast, secure and free.
I also have an 10 year old laptop with Win XP. Work the same way as when it was new, so why should I change?

ringel05 said:

I just downgraded from Windows 10 to Win 7 on two of my machines and will not re-upgrade ever unless Microsoft decides to release a true operating system instead of just an "operating system as a service" which Win 10 is. Win 7 is supported (critical updates) till 2020 after that you can decide what to do from there, me I'll just be careful where I go on the internet and be careful what I download, it's my gaming machine so my internet browsing on it is limited anyway. As for the rest (I have three others) I'll probably go Linux as I already have with my laptop.
As for your question concerning when you should upgrade...... That's really up to you and in reality if you want to stay with Windows then 10 is you're only long term solution, now your XP machine is a whole different story, run it only on occasion to keep it from rotting and wait till it becomes a valuable antique you can sell via Sotheby's.

Good to hear I'm not alone on not fixing it if it ain't broke for now. You really think it'll be worth something? i can't imagine the HD will last that long as it's a miracle it's still on its default hardware as is.

AddRAM said:

If they run fine, I`d leave them alone.

I appreciate your input, will stick with 7 until I hear 10 had bugs worked out or something better comes along.

fireberd said:

Many older hardware PC's don't run Win 10 very well or even at all. As AddRAM noted I'd leave them alone. However, at some point you will have to decide on a new PC and Win 10 (if you stay with a Microsoft OS system). I had Win 7 and Win 10 dual boot on my old desktop PC and after a very short while I found I was using 10 and not 7. All my recording studio hardware and software was Win 10 compatible.

If your recording software was all compatible with 7, would you use 10 over it? My poker software requires little resources compared to your needs but your specs would also be a factor I guess.

mrjimphelps said:

1. I wouldn't upgrade the computer with 7 on it till 2020 (i.e. when Microsoft quits releasing security patches for it). At that time, or shortly before, I would go either to 8.1 with Classic Shell (because you can make it look and feel just like Windows 7 when you have Classic Shell installed) or to Xubuntu Linux.

2. I would put Xubuntu Linux on the XP machine if you're going to continue to surf the web on it. You're living dangerously by surfing the web with XP, especially in light of all of the really bad malware out there these days. Install an SSD in that machine, and put Xubuntu on it; then copy what you need from the old hard drive, then put the old hard drive in a static bag and store it in case you ever need anything from it or want to go back to XP.

I appreciate it, I do have Malware Bytes and SuperAnti Spyware and do scans regularly FWIW. I will start taking some proactive steps and do some research on what you suggest. It's a lot to swallow as I am not experienced in hardware upgrades or Xubuntu.