What should we do after January 2020

SIW2 · 02 May 2019

1. Target Date March 12, 2019 Event Applies To Windows 7 SP1,Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1
Stand Alone security updates KB4474419 and KB4490628 released to introduce SHA-2 code sign support.

2. August 13, 2019 Required: Updates for legacy Windows versions will require that SHA-2 code signing support be installed. The support released in March (KB4474419 and KB4490628) will be required in order to continue to receive updates on these versions of Windows.
Windows 7 SP1,Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1

3. September 16, 2019 Legacy Windows updates signatures changed from dual signed (SHA-1/SHA-2) to SHA-2 only. No customer action required.

Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, Windows Server 2012, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2

bigmck · 04 May 2019

RoWin7 said:

...but not our finances, and not everyone does that kind of work. But MS has convinced everyone they need a buggy new OS every few years. By the time the bugs are worked out, they develop a new OS to replace it. It's a racket. The $200-250 I would spend on a new machine would far exceed any savings in electricity. Although it might not be true for you, MS paints everyone with the same brush.

Agreed. 20-25 years ago when Windows first started, there were so many improvements that were made, I changed computers and upgraded every couple of years. It is to the point now where the machines are so good, it and the OS can be kept for a long time. I have had my OS since 2009 and the hardware since 2012, other than a few minor things that burned out. I say "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

bigmck · 04 May 2019

townsbg said:

Apparently M$ is changing the functionality of Windows update making it more difficult for users. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...ndows-and-wsus

I find this page kind of confusing. Any thoughts on what 7 users need to do to be able to use WU? We need a tutorial on this.

There won't be any Windows Updates. That is what "End of Life" means. If you are happy with Win 7 now, it will stay that way when End of Life comes. I don't see any panic. If you keep yourself out of the websites that look suspicious, you will stay Virus Free. I am happy with Win 7 and will continue with it. The Updates will stop, but that is OK with me.

bigmck · 04 May 2019

XweAponX said:

This totally and completely blocks Auto Downdates for Windows 10? GrrRrRrrRrRr. I was just working on a Win 10 laptop, I could have used it haha.

As far as Windows 7 is concerned, I have NO INTENTION of being bullied by MS or anyone else to use Winbloat 10. But the only thing that worries me is that if I install Windows 7 in the future, I have to immediately install about 170 updates, many of which are important. Is there something for Windows 7 like Wumgr?

If you want to have something for a install, you could make a Macrium Reflect image of your present one and do a Restore of that. I guess legally that would cause a problem with the COA, but after End of Life well..... Anyway, that is my two cents.

XweAponX · 04 May 2019

bigmck said:

If you want to have something for a install, you could make a Macrium Reflect image of your present one and do a Restore of that. I guess legally that would cause a problem with the COA, but after End of Life well..... Anyway, that is my two cents.

I had heard of that, sounds like a good idea. I also tried to make a Windows backup, but it keeps failing to finish, fails during the last 5 seconds of making the backup. I was about to try that AOMEI backup program. I have O&O that I got from that offer too.

RoWin7 · 05 May 2019

I use Macrium on this machine. On my other I use Easeus TodoBackup, also an intuitive program and FREE.

Hoggy Dog · 15 May 2019

LevelBest said:

I [...] will use Chrome instead of IE11 and see what happens.

You might want to rethink that browser choice. Currently, NordVPN, a VPN provider with no axe to grind in the browser market, says this about Chrome, which it rated at 6.5/10 in privacy and security:

"Chrome is never going to be the best privacy browser. It is developed by the company whose business model primarily consists of spying on its users to profile them for targeted advertising. What Chrome’s privacy notice says, in a nutshell, is that it is essentially just spyware for Google."

The same article says this about Firefox, which it rates at 9.5/10, the best of any browser:

"With privacy settings slightly tweaked and a few security add-ons installed, Firefox is easily the best private browser solution among the mainstream brands."

Read the whole article here.

SIW2 · 15 May 2019

Be Brave

Jaidee · 18 May 2019

SIW2 said:

Be Brave - Built in Ad Blocker

Been using this for about 18 months but it takes some getting used to and not as functional yet if you are used to a more mainstream browser.

If you have privacy concerns then this appears to be one of the better options.

ShadouFox · 22 May 2019

Windower7 said:

Microsoft send me the message below. What should we do when security updates end?
I very much prefer Windows 7 and would hate to part ways with this operating system.

Not gonna do anything. So long as it keeps running what I need it to run, not changing. I doubt Win-10 would run on this rig anyway. Keep your anti-virus/malware/spyware/adware up to date and stay off porno sites and you should be OK. I've heard nothing good about '10 anyway.