I Want to Keep Windows 7 Forever

[file3456]

I use Waterfox, an unofficial branch of Firefox, and for online work I've changed my user agent to Firefox 59, because the sites I use require Chrome or Firefox.

Is it similarly possible to disguise Win7 as Win 10?
And can someone on another site actually see I'm using 7?

I have the Custom User Agent String extension in my Waterfox. Can I just change it to this?

"Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:59.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/59.0"

You can, but there are more embed metrics in a browser that can shed the true light on what OS you are really using. Like Recaptcha for example. I use the Pale Moon browser and also forge my UA with the UAControl extension to make it look like I'm always using the latest Firefox and Windows 10. But! despite that Google's Recaptcha has some code there that somehow knows you're not really using blowhard Chrome copy Firefox or blow hard Chrome and if so, no Recaptcha puzzle solving for you. You can solve 'em and solve 'em and like Gandalf from Lord Of The Rings, 'you shall not pass.' This is straight up rank browser discrimination and a way to in fact control the Internet. Especially with 99.99999% of every damn website that has a form submission and needs to keep the bots at bay chose to use Google for their captcha needs.

So in the end, if I need to submit a form I don't even bother trying to use my Pale Moon browser and just paste the damn link in my plain vanilla Firefox install. And on my own website's it's why I'll never use Google's BS captcha solution. I use something where you have to manipulate images in a certain order and it's never failed me yet. Plus, I've seen in my access logs stop would be spammers right on the registration page. They'd get as far as a 200 and that's it. LOL Though, I also use a very elaborate nomenclature of scrips and CloudFlare to filter out all the unsavory traffic and query the IP of all logins and registrations at the Stop Forum Spam database.

At any rate, it's getting to the point where if you use a niche browser you WILL be scrutinized. Whether that be with a Recaptcha or a website not wanting to deliver its content because you don't represent the masses and their stipend of million dollar making browsers. Not to mention the privacy invading BS with telemetry and what not. I wouldn't even touch a Chromium based browser with a ten foot pole. And besides, XUL is still the tried an true code to go. Webextension crap is a plague of all sorts and is just so utterly stupid to use. Never mind trying to code for it.

I think the UA you're looking for looks like this:
Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; WOW64; rv:72.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/72.0

Check here: http://www.useragentstring.com/

 

[RoWin7]

You took the long way around.

I'm forced to use Chrome on certain tasks, but that's all I use it for. Not my choice. There are scripts I use on Chrome that won't work on Mozilla browsers.

And my Waterfox w/XUL has been posing as Firefox successfully for almost a year. Not every site scrutinizes you that closely. I had been thinking of dual booting 10 just to use for work, but if I can get away with 7, I will. Worse come to worse, I'll install 10 on my 4th machine, but I'm holding out as long as I can.

 

[ian50]

Win7 activation ?

Ok, Win7 is no longer supported.


You can still purchase either new or 2nd hand machines with G6 cpu's that will run Win7 ok. And you can still buy legit copies of a Win7 iso to install; these come with an OEM code that should allow activation on the MS servers.

Does MS still allow Win7 activation now ? Anyone successfully done it ?

There are good tutorials on this website for slipstreaming the crucial updates into the iso to reduce tedium time so this may be a workaround for running Win7 for quite some years, perhaps. A guaranteed redundancy against future hardware failure of current machines at some cost may be worth considering.

 

[Barman58]

Machines are not the issue as you say, you can still install Vista and even XP and activate them, this is normal for Microsoft and applies the same for Win7 (cannot confirm as I switched to Win 10 before it was officially released).

There is an issue with New legit copies of the software for installation, as the End of Life approached the cost in the US and UK markets went through the roof, up to several hundred US dollars for a non transferable OEM copy and Retail copies are now extremely rare and priced accordingly - there are many special offers on eBay and other sources but all look to be counterfeit or otherwise not genuine (cracked, stolen keys etc ).

If the Australian market is not facing this issue then I would suggest you grab a few copies for future use (or sales overseas )

 

[BuckSkin]

Admittedly, I haven't yet read this entire thread, but I have skipped through it a bit.

Here are my own personal observations:
Although I would be the last to claim that I have any idea what I am doing, I have somehow gotten the reputation of being the family's/friend's/people-I-don't-even-know's go to guy for (free) computer help and repair.
I say that to say this, I have had exposure to just about every system there is.
I have and also work with several old ancient XP machines and I have not found anything yet that they can't do that a more "modern" one can; I am sure there are plenty of things that XP machines cannot do; however, most are things I must not have had any need for anyway; they will make an Amazon purchase just as quick as any.

Windows 7 is where they should have quit and held their ground; it is where I have quit and am holding mine.

Every new Windows OS after Windows 7 is the most confusing complicated nightmare to perform the most simplest of tasks on.
Things that with Win7 are only a simple click away are hidden under and in the most obscure and un-thought out places; it is like asking an old Peterbilt mechanic to work on a KIA.

My experience with Linux is that it is superior to Windows in just about every way ----- IF --- you can ever learn the entirely different language that Linux people insist on using --- weird names that they call the simplest of things that in no way give a hint as to what they actually mean.
On any old machine with any old equipment, Linux is quick as a cat --- it will just slow a Windows person down considerably trying to figure out what to do next.

The one thing that keeps myself and most of the computer-owning general public from switching entirely over to Linux is that fact that Windows is the Small Block Chevrolet of the computing world. Software manufacturers out to make a profit know this and it is unlikely to change anytime soon.
All of the really good photo editing programs are Windows only (or possibly with a MAC version).
All of the really good plug-ins for these photo programs are Windows only.
Yes, there are some great FREE Linux programs, but you have to be Einsteins gifted nephew to accomplish results with them that are a simple click in the Windows programs.


As for me worrying about support and updates; I have had all that garbage turned off for years and have not noticed any ill effects yet.

 

[maxseven]

...As for me worrying about support and updates; I have had all that garbage turned off for years and have not noticed any ill effects yet.

I have been computing since my home-built IMSAI 8080 circa 1978 or so and have never suffered from a so-called security issue. Lucky, yes, but then "I'd rather be Lucky than Smart, though it's good to be Both!"

 

[EmeraldShard]

My experience with Linux is that it is superior to Windows in just about every way ----- IF --- you can ever learn the entirely different language that Linux people insist on using --- weird names that they call the simplest of things that in no way give a hint as to what they actually mean.
On any old machine with any old equipment, Linux is quick as a cat --- it will just slow a Windows person down considerably trying to figure out what to do next.

This is actually a really good way to describe Linux from the perspective of someone considering it as an alternative to Win10, and IMO it accurately describes one of the biggest barriers to entry from a common user's perspective: the perception (rightful or not) that Linux users bury the whatever benefits their system provides under a mountain of jargon and needless convolution.

Personally, the biggest annoyance I forsee when I finally switch over is learning the command-line language. I mean, I'm sure it's not too hard once you get the hang of it, but I've known basic DOS commands for thirty years now, and the fact that Windows' command line tool emulates them makes it really familiar and comfortable to do stuff from command line when necessary. Which is not to say another language can't be learned, but at a certain point one worries about one's own rapidly-dwindling brain plasticity.

 

[Barman58]

A major block to Linux getting a serious following in the OS market is that it is so fragmented - there are hundreds of different variations - the distros all have their good points and also their not so good points, which means that the learning curve is steep to get to a usable system for those not "computer People", (geeks). Without this general following the major software companies will not see a large enough market to invest their resources in - Apple MAC have around 10 times the market share of all the Linux Distros, but do get support from some Big companies, Adobe and Microsoft (Microsoft Office for MAC has always been near if not the top software on Apple MAC)

Of course it has it's place in the server market and turns up in the most unexpected places - Windows Subsystem for Linux - Wikipedia

 

[RolandJS]

From my readings, it looks like once a person settles on a particular Linux, then the hunt for the 3rd party goodies supported by said particular Linux begins and continues. I think LadyF and RoWin7 have Linux experience, along with much Windows experience.

 

[Rokkor]

....All of the really good photo editing programs are Windows only (or possibly with a MAC version). All of the really good plug-ins for these photo programs are Windows only.
Yes, there are some great FREE Linux programs, but you have to be Einsteins gifted nephew to accomplish results with them that are a simple click in the Windows programs...

I'm a photography enthusiast and have used an older version of Photoshop for years on Windows. And the need for Photoshop kept me from switching to Linux. I did try Linux's GIMP program and it's not harder than Photoshop BUT if one is familiar with Photoshop it takes a lot to learn new software. Though to be fair if a person was a lifelong Linux & GIMP user and had to migrate to Windows 10 and use Photoshop for the first time, they would have the same initial difficulties...So I ended up installing WINE so I could use Photoshop in Linux. Though there are a number of good Linux photo editing software besides GIMP. Some are simpler and some are more complex.
Top 10 Linux Photoshop Alternative Photo Management Software

...Personally, the biggest annoyance I forsee when I finally switch over [to Linux] is learning the command-line language. I mean, I'm sure it's not too hard once you get the hang of it, but I've known basic DOS commands for thirty years now, and the fact that Windows' command line tool emulates them makes it really familiar and comfortable to do stuff from command line when necessary. Which is not to say another language can't be learned, but at a certain point one worries about one's own rapidly-dwindling brain plasticity.

There's usually no need for using command line in Linux these days, unless someone chooses a harder to use distro like Arch. I installed Linux Mint on my wife's laptop after permanently screwing up Windows 7. She had no problem using it, surfing the net, purchasing, banking, etc. and she's never used the command line in 3 months. But then again she never used the command line in W7 either. I sometimes use the command line just for fun, but I've not found I needed to anymore than I needed to use command in W7.

 

[michael diemer]

As for the learning curve, it depends on what you do. If all you want is to surf the web and use email, any LTS Linux such as mint will do nicely. Elementary OS has practically no learning curve at all (except it comes without an office suite, which you need to install, which is easy to do. also, the browser and email are not that great; once again though you can upgrade to Firefox and Thunderbird easily. With most linux systems you get all this out of the box).

As for needing windows for specific tasks, because software makers make them preferentially for windows, this is why you dual boot. You use windows for the photo-editing you do, but linux for everything else. Personally, I am continuing with W7 Pro for my music creation, keeping it offline by default. I use Linux for everything else, especially for anything security-sensitive. Currently, I am using Zorin Lite and LXLE, both light systems (my graphics card on my old Gateway desktop broke, so I'm back to on-board graphics - 10 years old - and need a very light system for them to work).

As for the command line (called the terminal in Linux), all you need to do is a search on whatever you are doing. And follow the steps. I usually just copy paste the commands due to my terrible typing. You do need to get it exact, or it won't work. I keep a list handy of the commands I use most. Eventually you get the hang of it. The terminal is extremely powerful, and very fast. It's a great way to install apps. For example, in many distros, all you do is "sudo apt-get update" then "sudo apt-get install firefox". As long as the commands are grammatically correct, the system will do all the work for you. "Sudo" refers to doing something as root, akin to administrator.

As for there being many distros, yes it's in the hundreds, but this is actually fun. It's easy to become addicted to "distro-hopping." That is, trying out new Linux systems. This also gives you the opportunity to learn as different distros do things differently in some case. Of course, if you just want an easy to use system that will be supported for the next 5 years, there are many to choose from. And you can try them out in most cases without installing them, which makes it quick, safe and easy to get a sense on which ones you might like.

 

[Rokkor]

...As for the command line (called the terminal in Linux), all you need to do is a search on whatever you are doing. And follow the steps. I usually just copy paste the commands due to my terrible typing. You do need to get it exact, or it won't work. I keep a list handy of the commands I use most. Eventually you get the hang of it. The terminal is extremely powerful, and very fast. It's a great way to install apps. For example, in many distros, all you do is "sudo apt-get update" then "sudo apt-get install firefox". As long as the commands are grammatically correct, the system will do all the work for you. "Sudo" refers to doing something as root, akin to administrator...

A lot of power-Linux users like to install apps by the terminal..But most of the easier to use Linux distros comes with an easy to use program to directly install software. In Linux Mint it's called the Software Manager and you just click on what you want an it's installed automatically. It's also completely safe and malware free as it comes from a vetted source as opposed to the usual Windows procedure of finding software on the net and hoping for the best.

 

[BuckSkin]

And you can try them out in most cases without installing them, which makes it quick, safe and easy to get a sense on which ones you might like.

Yes, you can even run a Linux OS off a disc with your current system intact.

I have had ZorinOS as dual-boot on what is now the wife's machine for a few years now; but, since it now lives in her machine, I seldom mess with it --- actually there is a long story behind why it ended up like it is --- we have completely identical DELL mini-towers; the main HDD in hers got in bad shape and started doing weird things whenever it was called upon to do anything intensive; so, I just put a brand-new HDD in place of it that had the OS cloned from my machine, Linux dual-boot and all, and she seamlessly went on about her business because the only thing that lives on our OS HDDs are the OS themselves.

Until recently, I had Mint Cinnamon dual boot on my machine; then, someone here pointed me in the direction of a really good deal on a SSD and I cloned my system onto it --- however, I could not for the life of me figure out how I managed to clone BOTH, Windows and Linux the time before, and I ended up giving up for the time being and only have Windows on this SSD.
I know I can just create a new dual-boot install, but I had already jumped through a lot of complicated hoops getting my Mint Cinnamon installation to where it was that I hate to have to start all over.

I will say this, for myself and my way of doing things at least, dual-boot is a good way to play around with other systems and check them out, even triple-boot; dual-boot is also a good emergency measure; you can access and manipulate things in Windows via Linux that you couldn't access in Windows with an Administrator account; BUT, with all that being said, the ideal way to have Windows AND Linux are on completely different machines with the monitors and keyboards/mice just a chair's swivel away.

It is such an act of congress to quit what I am doing, back out of things and save and close programs, then reboot into the other system, do whatever I needed there, then close out and reboot back, only to have to reopen all those programs and figure out just where I was before the switch --- it is a real big hassle.

 

[ian50]

Machines are not the issue as you say, you can still install Vista and even XP and activate them, this is normal for Microsoft and applies the same for Win7 (cannot confirm as I switched to Win 10 before it was officially released).

There is an issue with New legit copies of the software for installation, as the End of Life approached the cost in the US and UK markets went through the roof, up to several hundred US dollars for a non transferable OEM copy and Retail copies are now extremely rare and priced accordingly - there are many special offers on eBay and other sources but all look to be counterfeit or otherwise not genuine (cracked, stolen keys etc ).

If the Australian market is not facing this issue then I would suggest you grab a few copies for future use (or sales overseas )

Thanks for that. Good advice, I think, so I've just purchased a legit copy of Win7 Pro in the Aus market for the same low price I paid for it on my backup machine two years ago.


I'll watch the G6 market here and "pounce" on a machine when ready. This should suffice for at least the next five years, I expect. I used Win2k for well over a decade till the hardware broke down and USB3 became generally available.

 

[GoldenDog]

...As for there being many distros, yes it's in the hundreds, but this is actually fun. It's easy to become addicted to "distro-hopping." That is, trying out new Linux systems. This also gives you the opportunity to learn as different distros do things differently in some case. Of course, if you just want an easy to use system that will be supported for the next 5 years, there are many to choose from. And you can try them out in most cases without installing them, which makes it quick, safe and easy to get a sense on which ones you might like.

Hey I got 4 disros of linux on the same computer in addition to windows 7 I would have put more but my HDD would not let me make any more partions. So welcome to the house!

 

[RolandJS]

"If it doesn't work, kick it." That's what got the quarter-million-dollar volcano sniffer started in the movie "Dante's Peak".

 

[maxseven]

A major block to Linux getting a serious following in the OS market is that it is so fragmented - there are hundreds of different variations - the distros all have their good points and also their not so good points, which means that the learning curve is steep to get to a usable system for those not "computer People", (geeks). Without this general following the major software companies will not see a large enough market to invest their resources in - Apple MAC have around 10 times the market share of all the Linux Distros, but do get support from some Big companies, Adobe and Microsoft (Microsoft Office for MAC has always been near if not the top software on Apple MAC)

Of course it has it's place in the server market and turns up in the most unexpected places - Windows Subsystem for Linux - Wikipedia

Finally somebody says it. For most ordinary people who don't like or want W10 a Macintosh is a way better bet than learning Linux.

Of course, most people here are in way too deep to consider the Mac. But dual boot? Not for the average Joe.

Methinks most everyone here will be able to make their own decision about "stay with 7 or ...change". And my own advice should any e.g. friend or family member ask re: the "Windows 7 is Discontinued" headlines will be "don't worry about it until you have to".

 

[Barman58]

I left Windows 7 back in early 2015, although I had been running Windows 8.1 for a while in addition to Windows 7 by then, (I was using Windows 7 as my main active OS long before it was released to the public),

As I earn my living with Windows I always run the latest Windows, I can run any earlier OS I need to work with for business in a VM and also configure the VM to match the client hardware, something that you cannot usually do using real hardware.

Most people out there in real life will of course change their computer around as often as the do their car - In the UK this will be around every three years, (when the car has to meet test requirements).

Of course the majority of computer users are not enthusiasts and use what ever OS comes with their computer. Over the last few years this will be Windows 10 and unfortunately the Home edition. For them this is ideal as the system updates everything for them and they can just log into Facebook or Amazon or the local news, and get on with their lives - a high proportion will rarely even see the OS itself except when trying to find a game to play offline

The Pro versions of windows 10 are completely different versions of the OS with a lot of user control, so they are the versions used in offices and by most enthusiasts.

Change happens I do not find that difficult to accept or adapt to

 

[EmeraldShard]

Finally somebody says it. For most ordinary people who don't like or want W10 a Macintosh is a way better bet than learning Linux.

Of course, most people here are in way too deep to consider the Mac. But dual boot? Not for the average Joe.

Methinks most everyone here will be able to make their own decision about "stay with 7 or ...change". And my own advice should any e.g. friend or family member ask re: the "Windows 7 is Discontinued" headlines will be "don't worry about it until you have to".

The sad thing is, I'm a little less hesitant on Apple products than I used to be, but there are still a couple of deal-breakers for me personally. Primarily I hate their hardware design principles which IMO tend to emphasize form over function to a fault. This extends to their software to some extent as well, particularly in iOS which I blame for popularizing a lot of the ugly over-minimalist visual design we have these days (though say what you will about their desktop OS, at least it isn't trying to present itself as a mobile OS like Win10 is).

I'll definitely agree with the point about it being the gateway drug for Linux, though.

And as far as "change" goes... the biggest problem there is that people (not saying you, just in general) tend to treat change as an all-or-nothing deal. Either you embrace whatever the new thing is even if it's objectively worse, or suddenly you're considered a luddite. You can't treat it so black-and-white like that. It's okay to turn a critical eye to something new and make an informed decision not to use it just because it's new. In fact, that kind of critical thinking should be encouraged, in all markets and not just tech, but I'm aware that's asking too much of most people.

 

[RoWin7]

Ok, Win7 is no longer supported.


You can still purchase either new or 2nd hand machines with G6 cpu's that will run Win7 ok. And you can still buy legit copies of a Win7 iso to install; these come with an OEM code that should allow activation on the MS servers.

Does MS still allow Win7 activation now ? Anyone successfully done it ?

There are good tutorials on this website for slipstreaming the crucial updates into the iso to reduce tedium time so this may be a workaround for running Win7 for quite some years, perhaps. A guaranteed redundancy against future hardware failure of current machines at some cost may be worth considering.

You might want to check out this thread:
"https://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/421900-installing-win7-after-end-support.html"