No Windows Updates in Windows 7 and 8 if CPU not Supported

[michael diemer]

As I said, Linux continues to evolve, and become more user friendly. By the time 2020 rolls around, people opposed to Microsoft's current model will have any number of easy alternatives to Windows 7. Several Ubuntu versions, Mint, Zorin, Fedora, Elementary, Solus and others will be good choices. People currently afraid of Linux will find it has gotten much easier to deal with, and they will feel empowered as they take back control of their computers. Their chosen Linux version will continue to grow, keeping pace with the changes in hardware. There will never be a need to go through what Microsoft has forced us to go through all these years: the agonizing decision whether to upgrade or not. The upgrades will be free and painless. If they want, they can contribute, either financially or to the operating system itself if they can code. No, Linux will probably not threaten MS's existence (they make their money in the cloud now), but it will be the perfect solution for disgruntled Windows refugees. All I'm saying is, why not start now? It's a ton of fun. Really.

 

[alphanumeric]

Some enthusiasts' likely will and have given it a go. It's not main stream though as far as I can tell. I'm only started using Linux because I had to. The Raspberry Pi will only run Windows 10 IoT which is like no other version of Windows and doesn't even come close to being of any use to me with what I want to do on my Raspberry Pi. That means using Raspbian which is based on Debian. I've been at it for a few years now and still would only class my Linux skills as basic. I just don't see a mass exodus to Linux happening any time soon. Even over this issue. People are used to click and install or click and run. Linux isn't that. Not in my experience anyway. The frustration factor can be very high just trying to get all your hardware running etc. Just my 2 cents based on my limited experience.

 

[ysu]

Gents, may I ask if anyone knows if Broadwell-E is affected at all?
Is the broadwell-e considered 7th generation?

I've read around, and Skylake seems to be on the hitlist as well, only its support-cutoff date was changed to mid-2018 in the last minute. However, I can't really find information on Broadwell-E.

Thanks in advance!

 

[michael diemer]

People are used to click and install or click and run. Linux isn't that.

It depends on the distro. Many, many apps are in fact click and install. for example, I recently installed the Redshift app in Ubuntu Mate. It was in the software boutique, their hand-picked selection of apps, culled from the much larger software center. It was indeed, click and install. (Redshift tones down your computer monitor at night, just like f.lux). Zorin ultimate comes with a ton of apps already installed, including 20 games, an expanded office suite, a bunch of graphic apps, and so on. There's a Linux for every skill level. If you actually like the more difficult distros, there's Arch. but the trend is definitely toward more and more user-friendliness. The forums are extremely helpful, like this one. I am almost always able to solve whatever problem I have fairly quickly. While I use Windows 7 on my music computer, I do everything else on Linux. My online time is 95% on Linux. If I need to, I'll continue to use W7 past 2020, if Reaper's Linux version isn't suitable for what I do. I'll just keep it offline. So, my Microsoft problem is already solved. And no, I'm no geek. I'm just not afraid to try things, and learn new things in the process.

 

[RoasterMen]

As I said, Linux continues to evolve, and become more user friendly. By the time 2020 rolls around, people opposed to Microsoft's current model will have any number of easy alternatives to Windows 7. Several Ubuntu versions, Mint, Zorin, Fedora, Elementary, Solus and others will be good choices. People currently afraid of Linux will find it has gotten much easier to deal with, and they will feel empowered as they take back control of their computers. Their chosen Linux version will continue to grow, keeping pace with the changes in hardware. There will never be a need to go through what Microsoft has forced us to go through all these years: the agonizing decision whether to upgrade or not. The upgrades will be free and painless. If they want, they can contribute, either financially or to the operating system itself if they can code. No, Linux will probably not threaten MS's existence (they make their money in the cloud now), but it will be the perfect solution for disgruntled Windows refugees. All I'm saying is, why not start now? It's a ton of fun. Really.

Linux isn't friendly at launching stuff.

 

[Iain]

Realistically from what I can see, for a lot of people, the I'm going to switch to Linux is an idle threat. They don't actually follow threw with it. Lots of people run Linux. But how many of those also run Windows on another PC or dual boot with Windows. I bet its a lot. And that's no secret to Microsoft. If Linux was a real threat this thread likely wouldn't exist.
I run Raspbian on my Raspberry Pi's. It's been a slow go for somebody that has never used Linux before. Thus I'm in no hurry to switch my daily user to Linux. I'm likely not alone in that either. If Linux was as prevalent as people make it out to be, that wouldn't be the case. Good or bad that's the way it is. For the most part, people that have never used Linux aren't in a big hurry to switch to it. People bitched that Windows 7 had to many versions. Well look at all the different distro's of Linux out there? Some pay for, some free? And asking which is best is going to get you many different opinions.

It's not just the OS, at's all the supported apps on your machine as well.

I'm running MS Office Professional 2016 X64.

Will Linux support that and other apps?

 

[OvenMaster]

I take no umbrage with Microsoft announcing that they will not provide Windows Updates for products they choose not to support with their OS. However, I see no reason for the component manufacturers and OEMs to do likewise. If they choose to take on the responsibility for providing all the appropriate hardware drivers, then why not. Microsoft has no right to be the arbiter.

MS wants to coerce us into new product and OS acquisitions rather than convince us of their value. Maybe they should start behaving like a vendor with a quality product that deserves our attention, rather than threatening us with what best suits their business strategy.

Stockholders > Customers

 

[michael diemer]

It's not just the OS, at's all the supported apps on your machine as well.

I'm running MS Office Professional 2016 X64.

Will Linux support that and other apps?

MS Office will run on Wine. Or you can just use Libre Office. You can share documents between the two. Another option is to use Windows as a virtual machine, so it's sandboxed within Linux. no need to worry about viruses then. Or dual boot, probably the best solution. Use windows when needed or preferred, Linux the rest of the time. I expect that eventually I won't need windows at all, with the progress the Reaper devs are making. but even if not, I will just continue using W7 as long as I need to.

The problem is that we have all been spoon-fed by Microsoft for so long that we are afraid to use anything else. It's actually quite liberating to begin to break that maternal bond and strike out on your own. It's a brave new world out there. Check it out.

 

[alphanumeric]

I take no umbrage with Microsoft announcing that they will not provide Windows Updates for products they choose not to support with their OS. However, I see no reason for the component manufacturers and OEMs to do likewise. If they choose to take on the responsibility for providing all the appropriate hardware drivers, then why not. Microsoft has no right to be the arbiter.

MS wants to coerce us into new product and OS acquisitions rather than convince us of their value. Maybe they should start behaving like a vendor with a quality product that deserves our attention, rather than threatening us with what best suits their business strategy.

Did I miss something? Care to post a link to said "Threatt"?

 

[michael diemer]

Did I miss something? Care to post a link to said "Threatt"?

The threat is implicit, not explicit. The coercion is that we can no longer use our preferred hardware, just because Microsoft says so. We have to upgrade or stay with an outdated operating system (that still works fine and is as good as anything MS has ever produced). It's upgrading for the sake of upgrading, not because there is any real need to.

Now they are withholding monthly updates, presumably to scare us into upgrading. and the forced updates in Windows 10? Very coercive. I have no problem with it, companies have every right to manipulate and coerce us. they need to make money, people need to feed their families. The problem is that MS is a near-monopoly. What is it, 95% of market share? That's makes it different. It makes them more powerful than they have any right to be. and power of course corrupts. It's no surprise that MS has become abusive and sneaky.

But there is an alternative, for those who dare to rebel against
the tyrant.

 

[alphanumeric]

The threat is implicit, not explicit. The coercion is that we can no longer use our preferred hardware, just because Microsoft says so. We have to upgrade or stay with an outdated operating system (that still works fine and is as good as anything MS has ever produced). It's upgrading for the sake of upgrading, not because there is any real need to.

"We have to upgrade or stay with an outdated operating system " < Say what?

You can use any hardware you please. provided you install an OS that supports it. Depending on what that hardware is the following OS's may be excluded. Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP etc.

When mainstream support ends, this is what occurs:

• Microsoft no longer supplies non-security hotfixes unless you have an extended support agreement
• All warranty claims end
• Microsoft no long accepts requests for new features and design changes <<<<<<<<

 

[Jody Thornton]

A lot of people speak as if they "own" their copy of Windows. What that actually buys you is a license to use the OS, under the terms that Microsoft wishes you to use it. It's Microsoft's property. And remember, if Microsoft wants to change the terms of the agreement without notice, then they can.

If Microsoft wanted and the ability to make Windows 7 completely disappear tomorrow, why can't they? You don't own your installation of Windows. You're just licensed to use it.

 

[GEWB]

Jody -

If MS decided to make any version of Windows "stop working" the corporate and public uprising would be monumental - maybe then congress would breaK up MS.

Just went through the license I signed up for and nothing says MS could go THAT far to screw their customers.

GEWB

 

[alphanumeric]

I haven't tried to install XP or other older OS's lately but as far as I know they haven't turned off the activation servers. You can likely still get what ever updates were released up until their end of life too. IMHO they aren't as evil as some make them out to be. Still room for change with some of what they are doing though. On the subject of updates I'm not a big fan of the current forced updates, especially driver updates.

 

[Jody Thornton]

Jody -

If MS decided to make any version of Windows "stop working" the corporate and public uprising would be monumental - maybe then congress would breaK up MS.

Just went through the license I signed up for and nothing says MS could go THAT far to screw their customers.

GEWB

That was an extreme example of a company wanting to do whatever they wanted with "their" product. My point is still made. It's their product to do with whatever they deem fit. Your response, although seemingly a logical reaction to such an idea, shows your unwillingness to accept that Windows is not yours to demand expectations of Microsoft upon.

 

[michael diemer]

This is what monopolies, or near monopolies do, unless forced to do otherwise. Why microsoft has been allowed to get away with it for so long really puzzles me (friends in high places?) Competition would long ago have ended this arrogant behavior. It is absurd that I buy something, but I somehow then don't own it? What nonsense. The whole licensing thing is BS. You buy software, you should own it. Period. If you only rent it, that's different. but buying it, and then being subject to a bunch of restrictions, that's ridiculous. It's just a product, like anything else. The amazing thing is that people have tolerated it so long. Thank God for Linux!

 

[Jody Thornton]

This is what monopolies, or near monopolies do, unless forced to do otherwise. Why microsoft has been allowed to get away with it for so long really puzzles me (friends in high places?) Competition would long ago have ended this arrogant behavior. It is absurd that I buy something, but I somehow then don't own it? What nonsense. The whole licensing thing is BS. You buy software, you should own it. Period. If you only rent it, that's different. but buying it, and then being subject to a bunch of restrictions, that's ridiculous. It's just a product, like anything else. The amazing thing is that people have tolerated it so long. Thank God for Linux!

You're revealing how ignorant you are about licensing and copyright (I don't mean to call you ignorant as in being cruel to you - I mean to say it as referring to lack of awareness). Even Linux has terms of license but in the GNU License ownership is shared. Windows is a commercial product created by a company. It's their product. It has nothing to do with monopolies or anything of the like. iOS and Android are no different. They are closed source services. They are updated regularly, and support for past releases are withdrawn swiftly. And again, you don't own those copies of the OS either.

When you buy a DVD-ROM installation disc of Windows 7 Professional. for example, you own the mylar plastic disc with all of the pits that are pressed on to the DVD. But what you are paying for is a license to use the intangible signal or data that is obtained when the disc is put into the DVD-ROM drive. That is their proprietary product, not yours, and you use it under license. It was no different than buying music. The copyrighted sound signal that comes out of your speakers is what you are paying for. In a true sense, the actual digital or analog disc, is immaterial to that license arrangement. That has only become more evident with the streaming services that now dominate the music industry.

When you buy food, it's tangible, and you can consume it. But software is not a tangible thing. Neither is a recording. Copyright and licensing allows companies to generate a healthy revenue against all of the man hours it takes to develop and compile that software, or to track and mix down that song recording. That's not arrogance. It's a system whereby you can monetize labour towards something that isn't tangible, but still very useful.

Microsoft isn't taking away anything from you. You can still use Windows 7 on supported hardware. What they won't do is bend over backwards to make an eight year old OS work with emerging hardware. It is imperative that a company create a market need for a new OS. How else will they be able to make you want to buy a new version of Windows?

Think of it this way. What good are you to Microsoft, if you are going to stick with your beloved Windows 7. What good does the money you spent on Windows in 2009, do towards going towards the current year's bottom line? Microsoft is running a business. They need to create a need for you to spend money now. That's not corrupt or under handed. That's business.

 

[Jody Thornton]

There is some good news in this. If I'm correct, you can manually run the security only update from Microsoft's Update catalog page. Has anyone tried that instead?

 

[alphanumeric]

There is some good news in this. If I'm correct, you can manually run the security only update from Microsoft's Update catalog page. Has anyone tried that instead?

It will be interesting to see how many replies you get to that question? Your assuming somebody actually upgraded to one of those unsupported CPU's + a new motherboard and likely new RAM etc, and is still running 7.

 

[Layback Bear]

A Windows operating system is kind of like leasing a car.

You sign a agreement to use the car. You do not own the car.

Unless one buys Microsoft they will never own Windows operating systems.

Jack