I Want to Keep Windows 7 Forever

[Networkrail]

I'm really gutted that support for Windows 7 is ending.

I currently run Windows 7 on my Macbook Pro that has been my main boot OS for many years but now I hate Windows 10 and can only really see an option of moving to Mac OS which is something that I don't want to do but MS have taken my options away.

 

[freeagent]

For those who are concerned about upgrading to Win 10, why not have both? That is what I have done. I can switch between the two in BIOS during boot.

Files, Desktop etc are stored in Onedrive. Many jpgs and other files on Dropbox, photos on Google Photos and email on Gmail and Outlook. I use same browsers and email client on both. Both OS have access to same cloud stored info, so everything works same regardless of which OS I use. Even Solitaire!

Main difference I see, is that Win10 seems to be faster and has better virus protection.

After an early W10 trial back when the early free upgrade was offered, I decided to stay with Win7. Now 5 years later, I decided to give it another try, and I have to admit I now use Win10 daily. If an update screws it up again, I can still boot with Win7 and have full functionality.

Because it can always be converted to Win10 at no cost, I consider Win7 my Win10 backup

 

[msalton1]

For those who are concerned about upgrading to Win 10, why not have both? That is what I have done. I can switch between the two in BIOS during boot.

Files, Desktop etc are stored in Onedrive. Many jpgs and other files on Dropbox, photos on Google Photos and email on Gmail and Outlook. I use same browsers and email client on both. Both OS have access to same cloud stored info, so everything works same regardless of which OS I use. Even Solitaire!

Main difference I see, is that Win10 seems to be faster and has better virus protection.

After an early W10 trial back when the early free upgrade was offered, I decided to stay with Win7. Now 5 years later, I decided to give it another try, and I have to admit I now use Win10 daily. If an update screws it up again, I can still boot with Win7 and have full functionality.

Because it can always be converted to Win10 at no cost, I consider Win7 my Win10 backup

Nothing is free. The cost of Win 10 is data collection. The user is the product.

 

[freeagent]

Nothing is free. The cost of Win 10 is data collection. The user is the product.

So what should we do? Give up on Windows/MS, Google etc? Don't even mention Facebook.

Go back to usenet or something like that? Or turn internet off and go back to snailmail, newspapers, magazines, books?

Maybe VPNs could help? But they can also be suspect.

Basically we get some amazing technology at no cost. But we leave ourselves open to receive advertising mainly. And that we can block to some extent. Just the way it is. :shock:

 

[msalton1]

So what should we do? Give up on Windows/MS, Google etc? Don't even mention Facebook.

Go back to usenet or something like that? Or turn internet off and go back to snailmail, newspapers, magazines, books?

Maybe VPNs could help? But they can also be suspect.

Basically we get some amazing technology at no cost. But we leave ourselves open to receive advertising mainly. And that we can block to some extent. Just the way it is. :shock:

What some of us are doing is spelled out in these threads. We're clinging to win 7 until such a time as 3rd party 'defensive' software and strategies neutralize Win 10 privacy issues and are verifiably effective and are not collecting data on their own.



Also, it's not about receiving advertising (which is annoying). It's about collection of activity and usage. The building of a profile. You're right in that 'it's the way it is', but I think time will provide a way, whether it be the taming of win 10 or a different OS.

 

[freeagent]

Well, I think Google is likely worse and even Apple no doubt collects data. Then people use Facebook and other social media. With all this, I can't get excited about Win10 vs Win7 because those "other" things apply to both.

 

[msalton1]

Well, I think Google is likely worse and even Apple no doubt collects data. Then people use Facebook and other social media. With all this, I can't get excited about Win10 vs Win7 because those "other" things apply to both.

Agreed. I think you'll find that most who object to Win 10 data collection don't do Social Media.

 

[RolandJS]

I think I read over in tenforums or maybe here also: the pay-for, next higher edition (one abovre the first edition), has less telemetry and more user control.

 

[poorguy]

Quote: Originally Posted by freeagent
Well, I think Google is likely worse and even Apple no doubt collects data. Then people use Facebook and other social media. With all this, I can't get excited about Win10 vs Win7 because those "other" things apply to both.

Quote: Originally Posted by msalton1
Agreed. I think you'll find that most who object to Win 10 data collection don't do Social Media.



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Wow users with a brain and actually use it.

 

[Rokkor]

Agreed. I think you'll find that most who object to Win 10 data collection don't do Social Media.

Exactly. I don't use W10, Google, Facebook, Twitter or MS anything. I was a happy user of Windows 7, but I refuse to let W10 make me jump through hoops just to try and tame it.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

For those who are concerned about upgrading to Win 10, why not have both? That is what I have done. I can switch between the two in BIOS during boot.

Files, Desktop etc are stored in Onedrive. Many jpgs and other files on Dropbox, photos on Google Photos and email on Gmail and Outlook. I use same browsers and email client on both. Both OS have access to same cloud stored info, so everything works same regardless of which OS I use. Even Solitaire!

Main difference I see, is that Win10 seems to be faster and has better virus protection.

After an early W10 trial back when the early free upgrade was offered, I decided to stay with Win7. Now 5 years later, I decided to give it another try, and I have to admit I now use Win10 daily. If an update screws it up again, I can still boot with Win7 and have full functionality.

Because it can always be converted to Win10 at no cost, I consider Win7 my Win10 backup

Why worry about getting better virus protection when you are pretty much giving away your data with a bow attached using "services" like Dropbox, Google anything, Outlaw Outlook, etc.?

Nothing is free. The cost of Win 10 is data collection. The user is the product.

Exactly. It's amazing how many sheeple don't get that.

So what should we do? Give up on Windows/MS, Google etc? Don't even mention Facebook.

Go back to usenet or something like that? Or turn internet off and go back to snailmail, newspapers, magazines, books?

Maybe VPNs could help? But they can also be suspect.

Basically we get some amazing technology at no cost. But we leave ourselves open to receive advertising mainly. And that we can block to some extent. Just the way it is. :shock:

It's a heck of lot more than advertising you open yourselves up to, things like data collection, which can lead to identity theft, hackers taking control of your computer to use for nefarious purposes, which could lead to jail time for you, etc.,

Giving up Windows/MS, Google, etc. are good starting points. Facebook and other social media? Except for Myspace years ago before social media became the problem it is now, I never used social media. And I'm doing just fine. There is no need to turn off the internet; just take reasonable precautions and don't patronize the notoriously snoopy and insecure websites, such as Facebook. Within a few weeks, I plan to be completely divorced from MS (I'm posting this from a Linux Mint machine).

What some of us are doing is spelled out in these threads. We're clinging to win 7 until such a time as 3rd party 'defensive' software and strategies neutralize Win 10 privacy issues and are verifiably effective and are not collecting data on their own.

Also, it's not about receiving advertising (which is annoying). It's about collection of activity and usage. The building of a profile. You're right in that 'it's the way it is', but I think time will provide a way, whether it be the taming of win 10 or a different OS.

Exactly, except the time is now to find ways to protect ourselves and that starts with not catering to sites, services, and software that track us, collects our data, and exposes us to harm in other ways.

Well, I think Google is likely worse and even Apple no doubt collects data. Then people use Facebook and other social media. With all this, I can't get excited about Win10 vs Win7 because those "other" things apply to both.

Exactly. Heck, I'm no longer "excited" about about Windows, period.

 

[Barman58]

Of course there is one business/company who has full access to your data - Your ISP, and who's to say that they are not reading everything you send across the Internet, or recieve back?

 

[msalton1]

Of course there is one business/company who has full access to your data - Your ISP, and who's to say that they are not reading everything you send across the Internet, or recieve back?

I think everyone with access to such information is suspect. As to the ISP, a good, non-traffic logging VPN solves that. Unfortunately, vpn IPs are rejected at some sites and must be disabled for their use. I guess the best we can do is the best we can do.


One thing I never do with an ISP is use their router/modem combo. I buy my own, uncombined router and modem. My understanding is that ISP provided equipment generally has a backdoor through which they could access one's network.

 

[poorguy]

So what should we do? Give up on Windows/MS,

Nope you have options.



I started using Linux prior to Windows XP reaching EOL 2014 so there was never any question or worries what I was going to do when Windows 7 reaches EOL January 14 2020.



Yeah I have a dozen or so Windows 10 computers which I did the free update on setting on the shelf until a family member needs one.


The Wife uses Windows 10 and refuses to learn Linux what can you do / what do you do, Nothing.



Free Microsoft OS hell yeah I'll take it don't mean I have to use it or I'm going to use it but I'm sure going to take it for free.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Of course there is one business/company who has full access to your data - Your ISP, and who's to say that they are not reading everything you send across the Internet, or recieve back?

I think everyone with access to such information is suspect. As to the ISP, a good, non-traffic logging VPN solves that. Unfortunately, vpn IPs are rejected at some sites and must be disabled for their use. I guess the best we can do is the best we can do.


One thing I never do with an ISP is use their router/modem combo. I buy my own, uncombined router and modem. My understanding is that ISP provided equipment generally has a backdoor through which they could access one's network.

You can't stop all the intrusions and spying but it doesn't mean you have to roll over and give up. You do what you can do to minimize the damage.

The EU already has GDPR and CA has introduced a new privacy bill that will probably affect the entire SSA so things looking up.

Nope you have options.



I started using Linux prior to Windows XP reaching EOL 2014 so there was never any question or worries what I was going to do when Windows 7 reaches EOL January 14 2020.



Yeah I have a dozen or so Windows 10 computers which I did the free update on setting on the shelf until a family member needs one.


The Wife uses Windows 10 and refuses to learn Linux what can you do / what do you do, Nothing.



Free Microsoft OS hell yeah I'll take it don't mean I have to use it or I'm going to use it but I'm sure going to take it for free.

You still don't get it.

 

[poorguy]

You still don't get it.

Please by all means explain exactly what is it I'm not getting.

 

[freeagent]

Why worry about getting better virus protection when you are pretty much giving away your data with a bow attached using "services" like Dropbox, Google anything, Outlaw Outlook, etc.?

That makes no sense. Viruses are not data.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Please by all means explain exactly what is it I'm not getting.

It's been explained already. Go back and read the past couple of pages or so of posts.

 

[jason2704]

I do as well It is by far the best.

That's right, FOREVER.
I started out on Windows 95 and have had every Windows OS up to Windows 7.
Windows 7 turned out to be the Promised Land.

The land of Milk and Honey. It delivered on it's promises.
No more frustration or crashes. Everything worked.
And now, they want to take it all away. NO!

I have 3 machines with Windows 7.
Every one is flawless.

All my old games and programs run like a top.
Word is FREE! No yearly extortion payment.


January 2020 looms on the horizon.
What shall I do.

I would personally keep running an upgraded browser, like Chrome or Firefox and use a paid Malwarebytes software and a good continuous updated Firewall. Windows 7 is unbloated and can do so much with it I Love it As well.

 

[jason2704]

I Agree

Windows 10 is horrible period, I'm older and do not need the aggravation of all the bloat and also as well as the attempt to make it look like Windows 7.

Bought a brand new Aliwneare Desktop from Dell that came installed windows 10 all I can say is its garbage ( nice pg software sucks to put it mildly), I had to the send the PC back then came across a article on the Dell site saying if you had Win7 Professional Disc if could be 10 could be rolled back.

So called Dell sales and they put me in touch with their tech support and they told me it could make it so it would look like Win7 or roll it back to 7 w/ my disc, so went ahead head and ordered a new XPS 8700 Desktop with Win 10 pro.

Pc was delivered and then I called Tech to have them set it up , at that point now I'm told that they could not do that as they no longer offer Win 7 support but could configure it to look sort of like Win 7.

Tried that and still too much garbage....

So that pc went back, next I bought a brand new 2015 XPS 8700 from a 3rd party seller on Amazon, that came with the Win 8 disc but had Win 7 Pro already installed.

So now at least I have a new pc and will run Win 7 as long as possible.

I have:
Zone Alarm Extreme Security
Malwarebytes Premium

I have installed NEVER 10 so to stop all the forced Win 10 junk and also turned off the Win7 updates.

Have cloned the HD to another new one for emergency back up also I use Acronis True Image to create OD backups.

As far as Office Professional Plus (2016) Paid version
Out of that whole suite I only use Word occasional'y

For safety concerns should I try and remove or disable the rest of the programs?

Turn off Win Defender? Never use it but its there?

Go my Dell and DL that drivers I need from there and back them up or go the 3rd party route.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

I also have a Dell Insprion Laptop which I'm doing basically same thing to ...

I Dislike Windows 10, I tried an insider on that but they do not listen. Candy crush Saga E.G, Spyware extreme and updates adjusting my other Devices. Windows 7 is the Best pretty looking light and works UEFI no Worries