How long should I keep Windows 7 and delay upgrading?

awesome, just ditch using social media as a source of news and you're alright! :)
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
DELL LATTITUDE E6520
OS
Windows 7 Pro, 64-bit, SP1
CPU
intel Core i7-2760QM @ 2.40 GHz - Sandy Bridge 32nm
Motherboard
Dell Inc. 0J4TFW (CPU 1)
Memory
8.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 665MHz (9-9-9-24)
Graphics Card(s)
511MB NVIDIA NVS 4200M (Dell)
Sound Card
NVIDIA High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Panasonic 55"
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080@ 60Hz
Hard Drives
465GB WD WDC WD50000BKPT-75PK4 (SATA)
558GB INTEL 320 SERIES VO0600EC HPP (SATA)
556GB MAXTOR ONETOUCH USB DEVICE (SATA)
Antivirus
MalwareBytes
Browser
Firefox
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.

You can go to xubuntu.com and create a bootable DVD with Xubuntu on it. Then boot your computer with the DVD in the drive, booting to the DVD. You can then run Xubuntu from the DVD, without having to install anything on your computer. In other words, this is a very easy way to try it out before deciding to go with it.
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell
OS
Linux Mint 18.2 xfce 64-bit (VMWare host) / Windows 8.1 Pro 32-bit (VMWare guest)
CPU
Haswell
Memory
4 GB
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer 23"
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
Two hard drives, 1TB each: One for Linux, one for my data.
Keyboard
IBM Model M
Antivirus
Sophos (Linux), Trend Micro (Windows)
Browser
Firefox, Opera
Other Info
I use Samba to share my data drive with the other computers at my house and with my guest session in VMWare Workstation Player.
You can go to xubuntu.com and create a bootable DVD with Xubuntu on it. Then boot your computer with the DVD in the drive, booting to the DVD. You can then run Xubuntu from the DVD, without having to install anything on your computer. In other words, this is a very easy way to try it out before deciding to go with it.

thanks, i am reading about comparisons to 8.1 now but will keep this in mind.
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
DELL LATTITUDE E6520
OS
Windows 7 Pro, 64-bit, SP1
CPU
intel Core i7-2760QM @ 2.40 GHz - Sandy Bridge 32nm
Motherboard
Dell Inc. 0J4TFW (CPU 1)
Memory
8.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 665MHz (9-9-9-24)
Graphics Card(s)
511MB NVIDIA NVS 4200M (Dell)
Sound Card
NVIDIA High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Panasonic 55"
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080@ 60Hz
Hard Drives
465GB WD WDC WD50000BKPT-75PK4 (SATA)
558GB INTEL 320 SERIES VO0600EC HPP (SATA)
556GB MAXTOR ONETOUCH USB DEVICE (SATA)
Antivirus
MalwareBytes
Browser
Firefox
Win10 is the WORST M$ has ever done, followed by Win8, WinVista and WinME.. uuggh!!
.

I only agree on 10. It works well actually, but I hate the interface and reduced customization - oh and the forced updates too.

Windows ME could be tweaked to be a nice hybrid OS when 9x was still a thing. But really calling Vista and Windows 8 bad OS releases (after tweaking and/or service packs) is just displaying ignorance.
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP xw8600 Workstation
OS
Windows 8 Pro x64
CPU
Two Xeon Core2 Quad 3.2 GHz Processors
Motherboard
Proprietary
Memory
16 GB DDR2 800 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
nVidia Quadro FX 3800 PCI
Sound Card
Realtek HD Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung SyncMaster 213T 21" 4x3 Flat Screen
Screen Resolution
1600x1200
Hard Drives
Two Seagate Cheetah 300 GB SAS Disks
PSU
Proprietary
Case
HP xw8600 Workstation Case
Cooling
Two CPU Fans and a Larger Case Fan
Keyboard
PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse
Microsoft USB Optical Mouse
Internet Speed
7 mbps
Antivirus
Windows Defender
Browser
Firefox ESR 102
Other Info
Two LSI 3000 SAS Adapters
I only agree on 10. It works well actually, but I hate the interface and reduced customization - oh and the forced updates too.

Windows ME could be tweaked to be a nice hybrid OS when 9x was still a thing. But really calling Vista and Windows 8 bad OS releases (after tweaking and/or service packs) is just displaying ignorance.
I worked on servicing a couple of WinVista boxes.. it was a headache... :sarc::(:p:p
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    [Self-built](custom-build)(June 2020)
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro (x64)
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 12-Core Processor
    Motherboard
    Asus PRIME X570-PRO
    Memory
    32GB, 2x G.Skill 16GB (PC3200)(DDR4-2137)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti 8GB XC3 model by EVGA
    Sound Card
    Realtek® ALC1220A 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" DELL Gaming Monitor - G2422HS - DisplayPort used
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080p at 165Hz (16:9 Aspect Ratio)
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 980 Pro (NVMe)(SSD)
    2TB Samsung 980 Pro (NVMe)(SSD)
    2TB Samsung 870 EVO (SSD)

    NVMe 1TB
    -- OS(Win10 Pro x64),
    -- programs,
    -- programming(MS Visual Studios 2022 Community Ed.),
    -- music

    NV
    PSU
    Thermaltake TOUGHPOWER DPS G RGB Titanium Certified 1250Watt
    Case
    Corsair Graphite Series 780T Full Tower PC Case
    Cooling
    AMD Wraith cooler (stock) & 3x Corsair case fans
    Keyboard
    Alienware Low Profile RGB Mechanical USB Gaming Keyboard - A
    Mouse
    Redragon M602 RGB Wired USB Gaming mouse
    Internet Speed
    2100Mbps Download, 350Mbps Upload
    Antivirus
    n/a aka "ABOVE TOP SECRET!" lol ;)
    Browser
    Firefox & Google Chrome
  • Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model Number
    DELL G15 Ryzen edition, model 5515
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5800H
    Motherboard
    DELL G15 Ryzen edition
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    Ryzen 7 5800H integrated AMD Radeon Graphics and Nvidia GeForce 3060 6GB
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC3254 with Nahimic 3D Audio for Gamers
    Monitor(s) Displays
    built-in
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB NVMe SSD
    PSU
    DELL power brick.
    Case
    laptop
    Cooling
    laptop cooling
    Keyboard
    built-in
    Mouse
    Microsoft basic optical scroll mouse
    Internet Speed
    1000Mbps download, 20Mbps upload
    Browser
    Firefox & Waterfox Classic
I worked on servicing a couple of WinVista boxes.. it was a headache... :sarc::(:p:p

But try the x64 build with SP2, the Platform update, and just use Prefectch (disable SuperFetch in the registry only). It worked REALLY nice.
:)
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP xw8600 Workstation
OS
Windows 8 Pro x64
CPU
Two Xeon Core2 Quad 3.2 GHz Processors
Motherboard
Proprietary
Memory
16 GB DDR2 800 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
nVidia Quadro FX 3800 PCI
Sound Card
Realtek HD Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung SyncMaster 213T 21" 4x3 Flat Screen
Screen Resolution
1600x1200
Hard Drives
Two Seagate Cheetah 300 GB SAS Disks
PSU
Proprietary
Case
HP xw8600 Workstation Case
Cooling
Two CPU Fans and a Larger Case Fan
Keyboard
PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse
Microsoft USB Optical Mouse
Internet Speed
7 mbps
Antivirus
Windows Defender
Browser
Firefox ESR 102
Other Info
Two LSI 3000 SAS Adapters

Attachments

  • TweakPrefetch_screenshot.png
    TweakPrefetch_screenshot.png
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My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    [Self-built](custom-build)(June 2020)
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro (x64)
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 12-Core Processor
    Motherboard
    Asus PRIME X570-PRO
    Memory
    32GB, 2x G.Skill 16GB (PC3200)(DDR4-2137)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti 8GB XC3 model by EVGA
    Sound Card
    Realtek® ALC1220A 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" DELL Gaming Monitor - G2422HS - DisplayPort used
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080p at 165Hz (16:9 Aspect Ratio)
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 980 Pro (NVMe)(SSD)
    2TB Samsung 980 Pro (NVMe)(SSD)
    2TB Samsung 870 EVO (SSD)

    NVMe 1TB
    -- OS(Win10 Pro x64),
    -- programs,
    -- programming(MS Visual Studios 2022 Community Ed.),
    -- music

    NV
    PSU
    Thermaltake TOUGHPOWER DPS G RGB Titanium Certified 1250Watt
    Case
    Corsair Graphite Series 780T Full Tower PC Case
    Cooling
    AMD Wraith cooler (stock) & 3x Corsair case fans
    Keyboard
    Alienware Low Profile RGB Mechanical USB Gaming Keyboard - A
    Mouse
    Redragon M602 RGB Wired USB Gaming mouse
    Internet Speed
    2100Mbps Download, 350Mbps Upload
    Antivirus
    n/a aka "ABOVE TOP SECRET!" lol ;)
    Browser
    Firefox & Google Chrome
  • Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model Number
    DELL G15 Ryzen edition, model 5515
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5800H
    Motherboard
    DELL G15 Ryzen edition
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    Ryzen 7 5800H integrated AMD Radeon Graphics and Nvidia GeForce 3060 6GB
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC3254 with Nahimic 3D Audio for Gamers
    Monitor(s) Displays
    built-in
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB NVMe SSD
    PSU
    DELL power brick.
    Case
    laptop
    Cooling
    laptop cooling
    Keyboard
    built-in
    Mouse
    Microsoft basic optical scroll mouse
    Internet Speed
    1000Mbps download, 20Mbps upload
    Browser
    Firefox & Waterfox Classic

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP xw8600 Workstation
OS
Windows 8 Pro x64
CPU
Two Xeon Core2 Quad 3.2 GHz Processors
Motherboard
Proprietary
Memory
16 GB DDR2 800 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
nVidia Quadro FX 3800 PCI
Sound Card
Realtek HD Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung SyncMaster 213T 21" 4x3 Flat Screen
Screen Resolution
1600x1200
Hard Drives
Two Seagate Cheetah 300 GB SAS Disks
PSU
Proprietary
Case
HP xw8600 Workstation Case
Cooling
Two CPU Fans and a Larger Case Fan
Keyboard
PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse
Microsoft USB Optical Mouse
Internet Speed
7 mbps
Antivirus
Windows Defender
Browser
Firefox ESR 102
Other Info
Two LSI 3000 SAS Adapters
I used that too in the past - cool tool
:)

another REALLY COOL TOOL I found is

I allows you to
RegScanner is a small utility that allows you to scan the Registry, find the desired Registry values that match to the specified search criteria, and display them in one list. After finding the Registry values, you can easily jump to the right value in RegEdit, simply by double-clicking the desired Registry item. You can also export the found Registry values into a .reg file that can be used in RegEdit.
  • RegScanner utility display the entire search result at once, so you don't have to press F3 in order to find the next value.
  • In addition to the standard string search (Like in RegEdit), RegScanner can also find Registry values by data length, value type (REG_SZ, REG_DWORD, and so on), and by modified date of the key.
  • RegScanner can find a unicode string located inside a binary value.
  • RegScanner allows you to make a case sensitive search.
  • While scanning the Registry, RegScanner display the current scanned Registry key, as opposed to RegEdit, that simply display a boring "Searching the registry" dialog-box.
http://www.nirsoft.net/
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/device_manager_view.html
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/uninstall_view.html
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/what_run_in_startup.html


If you wanna keep tabs on new new updates from him...
"What's New" section lower half of the main page...



OMG he has SO MANY handy utilities I cannot possible list them ALL.. lol ;)

EDIT:
Here is is blog/new page
http://blog.nirsoft.net/
http://blog.nirsoft.net/feed/
http://feeds.feedburner.com/Nirblog
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    [Self-built](custom-build)(June 2020)
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro (x64)
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 12-Core Processor
    Motherboard
    Asus PRIME X570-PRO
    Memory
    32GB, 2x G.Skill 16GB (PC3200)(DDR4-2137)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti 8GB XC3 model by EVGA
    Sound Card
    Realtek® ALC1220A 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" DELL Gaming Monitor - G2422HS - DisplayPort used
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080p at 165Hz (16:9 Aspect Ratio)
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 980 Pro (NVMe)(SSD)
    2TB Samsung 980 Pro (NVMe)(SSD)
    2TB Samsung 870 EVO (SSD)

    NVMe 1TB
    -- OS(Win10 Pro x64),
    -- programs,
    -- programming(MS Visual Studios 2022 Community Ed.),
    -- music

    NV
    PSU
    Thermaltake TOUGHPOWER DPS G RGB Titanium Certified 1250Watt
    Case
    Corsair Graphite Series 780T Full Tower PC Case
    Cooling
    AMD Wraith cooler (stock) & 3x Corsair case fans
    Keyboard
    Alienware Low Profile RGB Mechanical USB Gaming Keyboard - A
    Mouse
    Redragon M602 RGB Wired USB Gaming mouse
    Internet Speed
    2100Mbps Download, 350Mbps Upload
    Antivirus
    n/a aka "ABOVE TOP SECRET!" lol ;)
    Browser
    Firefox & Google Chrome
  • Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model Number
    DELL G15 Ryzen edition, model 5515
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5800H
    Motherboard
    DELL G15 Ryzen edition
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    Ryzen 7 5800H integrated AMD Radeon Graphics and Nvidia GeForce 3060 6GB
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC3254 with Nahimic 3D Audio for Gamers
    Monitor(s) Displays
    built-in
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB NVMe SSD
    PSU
    DELL power brick.
    Case
    laptop
    Cooling
    laptop cooling
    Keyboard
    built-in
    Mouse
    Microsoft basic optical scroll mouse
    Internet Speed
    1000Mbps download, 20Mbps upload
    Browser
    Firefox & Waterfox Classic
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