W7 to W10

[ColColt]

I first bought W7 three years ago, probably the last ones Dell had in stock with W7 loaded so, it's a relatively new computer. I fought against the constant badgering me to update to W10 popups until finally they stopped not long back.

I wonder if I didn't make a mistake in that W7 will no longer be getting updates from Microsoft in a couple 2-3 years. My Vista machine that I use primarily will bite the dust this year as for updates so, I don't feel comfortable doing any banking or Internet usage after I think it's September this year on Vista.

Wondering if you can still go the W10 route with the W7 computer I have upstairs?

 

[torchwood]

Hi Col,
Officially MS has pulled the free update to W10.
BUT i've heard of people STILL being able to take the option.
possibly available here?, using windowsUpdate
http://download.windowsupdate.com/d..._064250ac098e19c70ceacf4ef8a293fbacdad888.msu

You've got nothing to lose and it will register your PC as W10 activated
or

Image your current
Download link for W10
Windows 10 ISO Download - Windows 10 Installation & Upgrade Tutorials

Roy

 

[ColColt]

I really hate doing that but with Microsoft pulling support soon, there seems to be little option.

 

[Alejandro85]

I really hate doing that but with Microsoft pulling support soon, there seems to be little option.

If you don't like Windows 10, then don't downgrade to it, no matter what MS says about that. Microsoft support means NOTHING to the normal operation of your computer and Windows 7 (or even Vista) will work exactly the same much past that date.

Only change your operating system if you really want to, nobody can force you to do that.

 

[Layback Bear]

Their is another option.

Keep Windows 7 just as it is and buy W-10 and install it on another computer or another drive.

Their is not a rule or law that states you can only use one operating system.

Personally I don't trust any on line banking.
Before on line banking seldom was a bank account accessed without proper permission.
With on line banking, accounts are hack thousands of times a day.

Can Bank Hackers Steal Your Money? | Bankrate.com

That attack targeted account holders at JPMorgan Chase, according to a company filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. User contact information for 76 million households and 7 million small businesses was stolen during the breach.

But Chase is not alone.

Jack

 

[Megahertz07]

I agree 100% with Alejandro. End of support doesn't mean that Win 7 or Vista wont work the same way it used to.
You just have to have a good Firewall, anti virus and in some cases, a specific bank security protection or application.

If you want to be really safe on bank transactions, make and use a Linus boot able USB flash disk.

 

[Barman58]

The more serious concern with any Operating System that is approaching End of Life Is that as the number of users fall below a certain level it is not viable for hardware developers to provide Driver and other support for new hardware that is released.

The number of users of Windows 7 has not approached this level, yet, but even so a lot of OEM system builders, (Dell, HP, Etc.), are only producing drivers for their systems for Windows 8.1 or Windows 10. You can often get around the main components by use of drivers from the actual component builders, but for those in house components such as extra function keys for a keyboard, and where the component drivers need to be customised to suit a particular use, are not supported on older operating systems.

There is the classic case of Creative Labs Audio, the market leader at the time when Vista came out to replace XP. They decided that to improve sales they would not make Vista drivers for their existing range of Sound Cards, and make only Vista drivers for their new replacement range, with no support for XP. That actually ended up with a sales disaster for the company as people just went elsewhere but it did cause a lot of problems for not so savvy users

You have to be aware that the next PC you purchase or parts you use to upgrade your current system may not come with support for your preferred OS - this is not a Microsoft driven attempt to "force" users to upgrade but a simple matter of the economics of scale. you have to realise that the vast majority of users are not enthusiasts, like the members here, but simply accept the OS supplied when they replace their hardware every few years, so this natural wastage will ultimately reduce the numbers of windows 7 users

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Funny last I checked win-7 is supported for another 3 years security update rollups wise
That is a very long time so I wouldn't worry about it and websites 10 is no safer it just auto updates and that my friend is a double edged sword lol
It pretty much makes 10 unpredictable where as 7 is as rock solid as it gets in many ways,
Microsoft ads invade Windows 10's File Explorer - Windows 10 Forums

 

[ColColt]

Three years is not long. When I was a kid Christmas was three years apart, now it's nine months. My concern was mostly about end of life and no further security updates for Visa or W7. Operation may be the same but security won't. I do a fair share of buying on ebay and other places and transferring funds to the account I use and checking my credit union accounts from time to time. I don't want to jeopardize that for sure.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Security wise win-10 is no more secure than 8 or 7 it's just a sells pitch.
MS only states 10 as more secure because windows defender is supposed to be a actual antivirus same as win-8.

In most if not all instances people use and rely on third party antivirus programs not windows for security.

But by all means read up if you need a little nudge get advice from win-10 users
Windows 10 Forums

 

[ColColt]

My main source of "defense" is a Netgear router, Windows built in firewall and MalewareBytes and WinPatrol. I have this setup on both W7 and the Vista machine.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Okay so what is the problem we all have our preferences

Next is what browser do you use ?
ie11 is not recommended to use unless you really need too most security holes will usually effect it more than other browsers.
If you do have to use ie11 at the least activate enhanced protection mode and that is about all one can do that and use in-private browsing.
Otherwise use firefox it's much better anyway

And no I would never use chrome personally it does stuff nobody knows what rums on it

 

[ColColt]

i haven't used IE in years. I've been using FF mostly for a good 10-12 years.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Well then you just have to realize the sky is not falling 7 is good for at least 3 more years and only MS thinks we all need win-10
Vista on the other hand you might look into some linux options like zorin or mint mate they will run okay on anything

Or buy a copy of win-10 and clean install it on one of the vista machines
Not many old machines are compatible with fast start features of win-10
All one needs to do is disable hibernation asap

 

[ColColt]

I know that sooner or later I'll have to end up biting the bullet and get another computer which no doubt will be W10. My old Vista machine is dated, getting old but an old friend I'm not about to let go easily. Push comes to shove, I can still use it for my photo post processing or anything else not requiring an Internet connection.

The W7 computer is going to stay as is. Three years is a ways down the pike and I may have croaked before worrying about it. I'm just one to look down the road a ways.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Yep pretty much why I said if you want to try win-10 if you haven't is to just buy a copy then you can legally dual boot with win-7 or Vista but all MS sells is oem copies so it will be locked to which ever machine you install it on.

I use one of these to dual boot different os's it has made life a lot simpler so I can keep os's completely separate
Amazon.com: Vantec 2.5-Inch Dual Bay Trayless SATA III - 6G Mobile Rack (MRK-225S6-BK): Computers & Accessories

 

[ColColt]

Maybe it's just time to just get another computer with W10 installed...sort of a back up in the event something physical goes awry like it did three years ago when I couldn't get downstairs to the main computer and had to stay upstairs(couldn't walk) with no computer. I got withdrawals and swore I'd not let that happen again. That's when I got the W7 for upstairs.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Always good to check on new computer deals
New hardware is best for 10 at least it has the best chances for compatibility
10 in general can be a bit buggy I don't use 10 for anything serious just benchmarking and tweaking it till I break it and start over

 

[ColColt]

It would probably be a fill in in the event something went belly up(like the MOB) of Vista or even the W7.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
How ever it works out
Personally 10 really needs another year or so to mature and I suppose so do I