Is anyone still using Windows 7?

[iMouse]

Yes. Win10 feels like paper.

 

[Mike Lynch]

I do not understand, "paper"?

 

[michael diemer]

I do not understand, "paper"?

Maybe because it has no depth? No character? It seems that as people become stupider and stupider as a result of tech taking over the world, Microsoft is dumming things down more and more to accommodate them. Soon the computers will be in our heads, then no interface will be needed at all...

 

[SCANNERMAN777]

Regardless of what it is it's still what awaits us all if we want to stay current and "secure" with Windows.
The boyz @ Microsoft likely don't realize it or simply don't care but it's getting to the point where Linux couldn't ask for a better friend.
We're already at the point where it's safer to do business transactions and engage in sensitive data with Linux than using windows.
More and more I'm more inclined to reserve Windows for entertainment and save the serious stuff for Linux. I'm keeping my Windows 7 regardless.

 

[Mike Lynch]

Amen brother!

 

[file3456]

I do not understand, "paper"?

The GUI...

Is anyone still using Windows 7?

Yes, on two and soon to be four more computers.


One computer sitting here is like a mini Intel NUC connected to an external monitor and a very small USB keyboard/mouse pad thing. Its sole function is to monitor air traffic via the adsbexchange website. I can see what's over head at any given time in my neck of the woods or anywhere else practically on the planet so long as two things are present: 1) that area of the world is covered by someone's Raspberry Pi monitoring the squawk signal from aircraft and feeding that to the adsbexchange website and 2) the aircraft are squawking their signal. Which would be true for 99% of all aircraft out there. I've even seen it near where the Navy SEALS train with certain Blackhawk helicopters. But theirs has some omissions in the squawk code. But I can see apparent elevation, speed and location of the craft. I've also seen the famed Janet aircraft fly in and out of KLAS Las Vegas to "Area-51." Though, when those Janet aircraft reach about the area of Indian Springs flying North they turn off their squawk transmission. Don't really need it at that point but for some reason think they're fooling people to this day even though the place is all over in our culture and video games, you name it. They do some awesome stuff there though. The U2, F-117A, B-2, SR-71 all came from this top secret military base. God only knows what they have now or what they're cooking up. China take note... Fers!

The other other computer currently running Windows 7 is my laptop that's also sitting here that's plugged into two "police scanners" (quotes because I hear more than public safety. Like aviation or railroad, etc) and I record audio and other data like time and date, channel use and whatnot in two programs called ProScan. This laptop also has a Team Speak server and a Tight VNC server so that I can use my phone on the go to hear audio with the Team Speak App and remotely control the laptop via a VNC App. Those connections to the outside world are made possible with a type of reverse VPN called Zero Tier. No port forwarding needed...

Despite running an "old and outdated OS" I have never been hacked by some Guy Fawkes mask wearing idiot or magically acquiring malware. Of course a smart ass may say something like, "how do you know?" Trust me "brah", I know. LOL I mean, how many of you watch your network and what have you like a massive nerd? That's just for starters. I scan for alternative data streams, Ring 3 hooks, conduct full RAM memory dumps for analysis, you freaking name it. So yes, you can absolutely run Windows 7 without being "vulnerable" to some insta-hack from Acme Inc despite what all the companies and users tell you. Heck, at one time I ran ten instances of XP in VMware!

 

[maxseven]

The GUI.....One computer sitting here is like a mini Intel NUC connected to an external monitor and a very small USB keyboard/mouse pad thing. Its sole function is to monitor air traffic via the adsbexchange website....

I have an Intel Compute Stick that I've never used; not even sure if I ever plugged it in. It runs W10 and maybe I will try using it for the adsb thing.

I didn't know "police scanners" (why in quotes?) could be connected to a computer for recording.

FWIW when W7 was officially cut-off from updates, I subscribed to 0patch which purports to fix Windoze issues on-the-fly. I've never had a problem with it or with my PC so assume it is doing its job, but it's a bit like elephant repellent.

 

[file3456]

I didn't know "police scanners" (why in quotes?) could be connected to a computer for recording.

They have come a loooooong ways, believe me. Even the modulation schemes and what have you. Today's scanners are not like yesteryear. In the public safely realm of transmissions they are mostly digital and require a scanner capable of receiving the digital modulation which is commonly P25 here in the U.S. and I believe Canada and some other countries. In the UK and Europe they use Tetra. But, with digital modulation comes the easy to push encryption switch and many departments are doing just that. Even the freaking fire department in some towns. Total BS for the fire department to go TOP SECRET. Orange county, California used to use a lot of encryption but have since reverse course. I say good on them for being transparent to the community that pays the taxes, and of course that little thing called the 1st Amendment as it pertains to the Press...

At any rate, if you REALLY want to down a bottle of Aspirin, try your hand with an SDR (Software Defined Radio) and OP25 and GNU Radio. LOL!

- - - Updated - - -

Edit-

Wanna hear someone's SDR via the Internet listening to shortwave? Go here.

Since SDRs are computer controlled, you can share it via the Internet and more than one user can tune the radio (SDR).

 

[maxseven]

They have come a loooooong ways, believe me...

Thanks for all that. It feels like one could spend $$$ on a setup and then find that one's locals' comms are encrypted.

 

[SCANNERMAN777]

Good ole VMware

 

[Uitlander]

I haven't been on here for a few years, but just curious - is anyone still using Windows 7 and if so, how? Offline or paying for updates?

I had been using XP Pro for at least five years (over 10,000 hrs on the internet) til I moved on to Win 7 in November. I use it same as the the previous OS....online for absolutely everything but shopping and banking. First thing I did when I got the XP Pro was to lock M$ out of my PC, so beyond SP3 there were zero updates nor drive-by surreptitious KB installs. That proved never a problem. Other than a couple PUPs, my XP remained bulletproof, so I have done the same with the Win 7. In my experience a decent software firewall combined with a good hardware firewall is all you need. That's all I had with the XP Pro, and despite constant shrill warnings of impending doom from nearly everyone online, my OS remained botnet/malware free til the day I retired it. I'm betting the same scenario for Win 7.

 

[SCANNERMAN777]

I had been using XP Pro for at least five years (over 10,000 hrs on the internet) til I moved on to Win 7 in November. I use it same as the the previous OS....online for absolutely everything but shopping and banking. First thing I did when I got the XP Pro was to lock M$ out of my PC, so beyond SP3 there were zero updates nor drive-by surreptitious KB installs. That proved never a problem. Other than a couple PUPs, my XP remained bulletproof, so I have done the same with the Win 7. In my experience a decent software firewall combined with a good hardware firewall is all you need. That's all I had with the XP Pro, and despite constant shrill warnings of impending doom from nearly everyone online, my OS remained botnet/malware free til the day I retired it. I'm betting the same scenario for Win 7.

Yes. That has been my finding also. If you engage in financial transactions and sensitive data, good encryption also helps; but it isn't necessary. Linux provides a security base that is more than adequate for that sort of thing now. With Windoze breathing down one's neck at every turn with the newer tablet based operating systems you're better off using Linux in that regard.

 

[Mike8615]

I still use 7. I have 7, 10, and 11 in a 3 boot system. I use 7 to navigate files and listen to music. I HATE 10 & 11. You have to disable all the junk running in background and in task scheduler. For some junk you have to go into the registry to disable it. Windows Defender always running at 100% so I have to use a .bat file to disable it. The thumbnail cache always corrupts so I have to regenerate them all over again for 100,000 files. Then after every update all the junk disabled comes right back. Thats just a few nightmares. Throw Win 10 & 11 in a dumpster fire

 

[SCANNERMAN777]

Ayeeup! It all started when Windoze decided to get tablet savvy. Instead of carrying on the fine old tradition of being thorough and pragmatic (like they did with Windows 7) they decided to lighten the load by throwing away the tools, downsizing the engine, and providing us with their version of a hybrid transmission that keeps on breaking its belts. But hey.... Lot's of room in the trunk now! Enter Windows 10 - Let's fill that up with telemetry, adware, and an annoying bot about as useless as tits on a bull. Sure. I have 10 and 11. Good thing I still have 7.

 

[file3456]

Thanks for all that. It feels like one could spend $$$ on a setup and then find that one's locals' comms are encrypted.

Check to see if your area or areas you're interested in listening to are at the radio reference website and if they're encrypted. I can check for you if you want. I've been a member there (well, until the very old and cranky overzealous Mods banned me) since the website was trunkedradio.net way back in circa 2002. Now Lindsay (the owner and CEO) has a website called Broadcastify whee you can listen to other people's scanner feed. You can do this via the free ProScan Windows program as well. The Broadcastify website is mentioned in the news all the time when they play back archived scanner audio. Well, the audio is shown in contribution to Broadcastify for legal purposes. So there you might hear your area if someone in your area is feeding into Broadcastify.

And I keep thinking you live in Canada due to your avatar of Dudley Do-Right. LOL! They made a movie, too...

- - - Updated - - -

Oh, now-a-days scanners have come so far you can interface them with a GPS and they'll self-tune to the area your in. Truckers love this feature... Also, I believe the Uniden Home Patrol line of scanners have a zip code option. Just enter a zip code and hear your area. You can even fine to to just public safety like Fire, PD, ambulance, etc.

- - - Updated - - -

Good ole VMware

Been using it since circa 2007. It's come a looong way. And now there's something even better: Kubernetes and Docker.

 

[Unknown scout91]

yes i still run windows 7 ultimae 64 bit

my lenovo Ideapad 320 or lenovo 80YD runs windows just fine and is way better than windows 10 and increased my battery life to 1 or 50 minutes (windows 10) to 2-3 hours in windows 7 i dont have a product key for windows 7 since i dont like pirating windows keys because they are hard but even when your windows is not activated it still works fine and i can change wallpapers unlike windows 11 you need a microsoft account and a product key to activate windows and change wallpapers

 

[SCANNERMAN777]

Any used Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit key should work to activate that OS. Used keys are not pirated keys unless they were stolen from someone. I am using one such key on one of my units and have not had an issue with it since I activated years ago. The key came from an old Acer laptop that I once owned that finally gave up the ghost and was more costly to repair than to recycle. Microsoft has already received payment upon purchase of that laptop. If you want to go through the extra trouble you could always reinstall a copy with a working key. I find the windows warnings very annoying. I know my key is not counterfeit. Anyway, this works for me in Canada. Not sure about other countries.

- - - Updated - - -

And I keep thinking you live in Canada due to your avatar of Dudley Do-Right. LOL! They made a movie, too...
Oh, now-a-days scanners have come so far you can interface them with a GPS and they'll self-tune to the area your in. Truckers love this feature... Also, I believe the Uniden Home Patrol line of scanners have a zip code option. Just enter a zip code and hear your area. You can even fine to to just public safety like Fire, PD, ambulance, etc.
Been using it since circa 2007. It's come a looong way. And now there's something even better: Kubernetes and Docker.

I thought the same when I saw the good old Dudley avatar. (Brought back childhood memories) A classic, for sure. I have an old, Realistic scanner that just keeps on spinning through the frequencies but I get nothing. I keep it running for posterity's sake. Not many places using radio these days, I guess. The LED interface just keeps on rolling, looking important, but doing nothing. I used to do a lot of scanning back in the day, before I discovered the joys of owning a PC online. I've heard of Kubernetes and Docker before (probably on the Level 1 Tech show). I haven't bothered with it being a very busy guy, with little ones and so many pokers in the fire. Might like to try it one day though. Always half tempted to get back into scanning.

 

[file3456]

If it's an analog scanner it's a good bet your area is digital. Though, you should hear digital noise on an analog scanner. If you do, you can discern what digital modulation it is. This site can help with that. Then once you know you can chose the right scanner. Or just look up your area at radio reference... A lot of analog is gone now-a-days. Most public safety use the P25 digital modulation. Many companies and what have you use DMR or NXDN and sometimes all that can be encrypted since it's digital.

I have an old Regency crystal controlled scanner with five channels and it too will just sit there because there's simply nothing on those frequencies for the crystals installed. Well, one of the crystals is using a frequency for NOAA weather radio. I was glad that crystal was installed to know the unit works. I picked this up at an online auction website.

Aviation isn't digital (yet) though. So that can be heard on any scanner capable of hearing that band.

Anyways...

 

[SCANNERMAN777]

Thanks for the input. I'll keep this in mind I find it interesting that you're using the X299 chipset while I have the X99 chipset and I'm using the AMD X570 chipset while you're using the X470. Criss-cross! Gigabyte boards are fine but there was a time when Asus ruled. I don't think that stands anymore. Last few boards I purchased were all Gigabyte.

 

[file3456]

No, those aren't my PC Specs. That's just helpful Info. on the highest capable motherboard you can use with Windows 7. My PC Specs are in the My Computer drop down under the signature.