What should we do after January 2020

[RoWin7]

You also have to consider power consumed. Modern cpu's use less electricity, but give better performance. This is particularly important in systems that run at 100% for hours/days eg I do a lot of 3D rendering.

You could argue that hardware upgrades benefit the environment.

...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.

 

[Megahertz07]

Its a standalone exe, you just click it.

The only option for download is a wumgr-master.zip and there is no *.exe on it.

 

[johnhoh]

The only option for download is a wumgr-master.zip and there is no *.exe on it.

right click on it and select unzip (download 7zip if you don't have the option to unzip). Then you will see the .exe file. The program has no documentation but is not too hard to figure out.

For an easier path to the same result that is a more complete solution, just install Sledgehammer, which includes wumgr and wumt. Its handy because keeps windows update disabled at all times you are not using it.
Download Sledgehammer (formerly WUMT Wrapper Script) - MajorGeeks

Here is a full description of its effects from its FAQ:

The default configuration of the Sledgehammer script disables the Windows Update Service and Microsoft “Update Hijackers”. It then loads WUMT or WUMGR to check for updates, where the script enables the update service, keeping the update hijackers disabled, then after running and closing WUMT or WUMGR, turns off windows updates. The Configurator will also let you (E)nable the Windows Update service, keeping update hijackers disabled, so you can use the MS Store. The update service will be disabled when WUMT/WUMGR is closed no matter what you choose in the Configurator. If Windows Defender is enabled, it will update every 6 hours (the Win10 default) no matter what setting you make. But if Windows Defender is disabled, it will not be updated.

The script has never disabled any triggers that force updates; instead, it disables the files the triggers try to run. Without the script, every time you start Windows Update Service (wuauserv), you’re rolling the dice on a forced update. WaasMedic(SVC), Update Orchestrator, Remediation Service, and other “Update Hijackers” are ready and waiting for you to enable wuauserv to start unwanted Update downloads and installations. And even if you don’t enable wuauserv, Microsoft will enable it for you! And then there’s Update Assistant that doesn’t even need wuauserv enabled to force an update.
The purpose of the script is not to stop updates permanently, even though that's possible with the script. The purpose of the script is to allow you to choose to update when updates are available and at a time convenient to you. The script gives you complete control, like it used to be in Windows 7 when you set Windows Updates to check manually. I only want manual update checks. My script is the closest thing I've found to that.

 

[Windower7]

I saw that flash up on my computer yesterday and will probably uninstall the update that triggers it (if some kind soul could remind me which one it is).

Having thought about this a great deal, I've decided to stick with Win7 and see what happens. I've an anti-virus installed, Malwarebytes for good measure and will use Chrome instead of IE11 and see what happens. I'm not going to jump ship to Win10 or anything else, until I see what, if anything happens, with Win7. It's my favourite OS and it doesn't make sense to get rid of something that has served me perfectly.

Having thought about this a great deal, I've decided to stick with Win7 and see what happens. I've an anti-virus installed, Malwarebytes for good measure and will use Chrome instead of IE11 and see what happens. I'm not going to jump ship to Win10 or anything else, until I see what, if anything happens, with Win7. It's my favourite OS and it doesn't make sense to get rid of something that has served me perfectly.

Me too, I have thought a lot and still thinking about this situation. For me, I love the color schemes on Win7. It brings me joy and helps me work more. For the same matter, I have used the same theme/background for 10 years now. (The aero theme).

 

[Windower7]

I saw that flash up on my computer yesterday and will probably uninstall the update that triggers it (if some kind soul could remind me which one it is).

Having thought about this a great deal, I've decided to stick with Win7 and see what happens. I've an anti-virus installed, Malwarebytes for good measure and will use Chrome instead of IE11 and see what happens. I'm not going to jump ship to Win10 or anything else, until I see what, if anything happens, with Win7. It's my favourite OS and it doesn't make sense to get rid of something that has served me perfectly.

If you don't mind me asking, which AV software you are using?

 

[XweAponX]

Just use Wumgr, 400kb freeware package, disables auto-updates and provides interface to check manually when you want or not at all, can also pick and choose which updates to install. Best part, unlike past windows versions that could take forever just to check for updates, this program takes 5 seconds to check.

GitHub - DavidXanatos/wumgr: Windows update managemetn tool for windows 10

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? I already do have WHDownloader, that I use to grab things. And I've even seen, just now, I downloaded about 4 updates to my Windows XP machine, one of them "KB963093", a security update, but there were also 2 Driver updates and a new version of Search. So the only question is, will I have access to the updates that I need, like they have been for XP, or will they finally stop updating XP as well?

I may even get a Windows 10 machine set up, but willingly, not force-updated like a couple of my Windows 7 machines (which I promptly reverted to 7).

And don't forget, if you have a machine based on new CPUs, use WUFUC to prevent MS from blocking updates on those machines. I've installed it onto a few i5 and Ryzen machines, it works beautifully, flawless patch and bypass of one of the cruellest tricks MS has ever pulled in the last 10 years. :mad2:

 

[XweAponX]

right click on it and select unzip (download 7zip if you don't have the option to unzip). Then you will see the .exe file. The program has no documentation but is not too hard to figure out.

For an easier path to the same result that is a more complete solution, just install Sledgehammer, which includes wumgr and wumt. Its handy because keeps windows update disabled at all times you are not using it.
Download Sledgehammer (formerly WUMT Wrapper Script) - MajorGeeks

Here is a full description of its effects from its FAQ:

The default configuration of the Sledgehammer script disables the Windows Update Service and Microsoft “Update Hijackers”. It then loads WUMT or WUMGR to check for updates, where the script enables the update service, keeping the update hijackers disabled, then after running and closing WUMT or WUMGR, turns off windows updates. The Configurator will also let you (E)nable the Windows Update service, keeping update hijackers disabled, so you can use the MS Store. The update service will be disabled when WUMT/WUMGR is closed no matter what you choose in the Configurator. If Windows Defender is enabled, it will update every 6 hours (the Win10 default) no matter what setting you make. But if Windows Defender is disabled, it will not be updated.

The script has never disabled any triggers that force updates; instead, it disables the files the triggers try to run. Without the script, every time you start Windows Update Service (wuauserv), you’re rolling the dice on a forced update. WaasMedic(SVC), Update Orchestrator, Remediation Service, and other “Update Hijackers” are ready and waiting for you to enable wuauserv to start unwanted Update downloads and installations. And even if you don’t enable wuauserv, Microsoft will enable it for you! And then there’s Update Assistant that doesn’t even need wuauserv enabled to force an update.
The purpose of the script is not to stop updates permanently, even though that's possible with the script. The purpose of the script is to allow you to choose to update when updates are available and at a time convenient to you. The script gives you complete control, like it used to be in Windows 7 when you set Windows Updates to check manually. I only want manual update checks. My script is the closest thing I've found to that.

Update Orchestrator was the task I was originally able to disable to prevent Forced-Downdates. But in the latest Win 10 I was fiddling with, that task had been made unmodifiable!

Thank you for these alternatives, if not for the forced downdates, Windows 10 might even be cool to use. But not when I never know if I reboot, that it will take 3 hours to update to the latest build which either wrecks my Windows installation and/or is totally incompatible with my hardware.

 

[bigmck]

Wish we could change the world, but we can change only the little piece around us. And the throwaway economy doesn't take our individual financial circumstances into account. Most people keep a credit balance to keep up with the "latest and greatest" products. I can't throw away my computers till they die. The price of a smart-phone is way beyond my means, so I use a perfectly good flip-phone. No one really needs to change their smart-phone every few years, but the IT industry has convinced them that they need instant gratification and unlimited services.

We've wandered away from the topic at hand.

Last weekend we drove to a small town not too far away for a "Frontier Days" festival. There was a parade with some cars from the 1930's. The older cars get from point A to point B just like my 2018 car does. It might not be able to do the same things, such as speed and they don't have a backup camera but if maintained they are serviceable cars. My point to this is, if you are not doing labor intensive programs on you PC, Windows 7 will be fine. I emphasize "in my opinion". I like Windows 7 and can not see upgrading just to have the newest best thing. I think I have that in Windows 7.

 

[townsbg]

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

 

[RoWin7]

Just install those updates that apply to 7?

 

[SIW2]

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]

...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]

Apparently M$ is changing the functionality of Windows update making it more difficult for users. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...ning-support-requirement-for-windows-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]

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]

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]

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

 

[Hoggy Dog]

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]

Be Brave

 

[Jaidee]

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]

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.