End of Service

huffman · 13 Jun 2019

I know MS will stop supporting Windows 7 in January 2020. My question is will MSE also stop working at that time?

LMiller7 · 13 Jun 2019

MSE will continue to work but there will be no updates for it. As time goes by third party suppliers of security software will stop support for Windows 7 as well.

michael diemer · 13 Jun 2019

You will definitely want to use a good AV when W-7 is EOL. Preferably a paid one. Many to choose from. You couls start now with a free version of one or more of them,. decide what you like, and upgrade to paid next January.

You can also try Linux. You may find you can use it for everything you use Windows for, or nearly everything. One strategy is to use Linux for all your internet work, and W-7 for anything offline that Linux doesn't do, or do well enough, for you. That way you don't have worry about Windows being a security risk.

you can dual boot Linux with Windows on separate hard drives, or separate partitions on the same drive. Or use a virtual system, with Linux being the host and Windows the guest. That way Windows is sandboxed inside Linux, and you can safely go on line with it. Or you can just continue using windows after EOL. I don't recommend that. Why take chances when there are so many out there who want to hurt you?

Lance1 · 13 Jun 2019

Most people don't like change. Therefore when MS hits the nuke button on Windows 7 your not going to see a mass exodus from Win7. Just like Windows XP which is still widely used, even in the business world today. The best and safest way to run Win 7 after Doomsday is to run it in a VM under Win10. Most Likely not a popular option for most people.

huffman · 14 Jun 2019

Thanks for the responses.

I plan to keep Windows 7 running for one program I need. That is "Plex". It run great on Windows 7 and NOT so great on Windows 10.

I am not sure why it was said to use a "paid" av. There are some very good free ones out there, equal to or as good as MSE. That is my opinion anyway.