What should we do after January 2020

[Bree]

machines

...what I've learned as the years go by is that I am busier in retirement than I ever imagined I would be...

Tell me about it...

When W7 stops working to my satisfaction, then (and only then) will I consider how best to solve whatever problems I might have.

Not everyone's MO but that is mine at least insofar as either learning W10 or migrating to another OS are concerned.

I took the free upgrade on one W7 machine back in 2015. It took about 2 weeks to get over the 'culture shock' after which I could swap between W10 and W7 without hardly noticing.

If/when your W7 stops working to your satisfaction, trying W10 would probably be the easier option.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

...If/when your W7 stops working to your satisfaction, trying W10 would probably be the easier option.

That would depend on your definition of "easier".

 

[SIW2]

Here is what Dedo has to say

And I know what's bugging you. It's the sense of choice, the control, which you now have so much less of than you had a while back. Windows 10 is less benign than Windows 7, the same way Windows 7 was less benign than Windows XP (I still have the old, original pre-activation license).
Blame everyone, especially the smartphone vendors. They helped perpetuate the online-cloud nonsense, and this is why the innocence of yore is gone. And to help with any future illusions, don't expect things to become better. Operating systems will become narrower, more restrictive.

Windows 7 end of support - What to do next guide

 

[spc3rd]

Just a quick note here to give a big "Thank You" to Lady Fitzgerald, poorguy, and Rokkor for your respective follow-up replies to my initial inquiry, and the numerous links to Linux-related sites & info!
(Also, my apologies for this unusually-delayed reply. Wasn't feeling too well & had to lie down for a bit).

There's certainly a lot to learn...and enough reading to occupy me for at least a couple of weeks. Thanks very much again!

Cheers!

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Just a quick note here to give a big "Thank You" to Lady Fitzgerald, poorguy, and Rokkor for your respective follow-up replies to my initial inquiry, and the numerous links to Linux-related sites & info!
(Also, my apologies for this unusually-delayed reply. Wasn't feeling too well & had to lie down for a bit).

There's certainly a lot to learn...and enough reading to occupy me for at least a couple of weeks. Thanks very much again!

Cheers!

No worries. I'll send you a bill at the end of the month.

 

[maxseven]

I took the free upgrade on one W7 machine back in 2015. It took about 2 weeks to get over the 'culture shock' after which I could swap between W10 and W7 without hardly noticing.

If/when your W7 stops working to your satisfaction, trying W10 would probably be the easier option.

Yeah, I'd probably break-down and do that, but honestly at this point it feels like W10 might actually break (become untenable as an everyday OS option) before W7 does.

But I have an especially bad attitude about W10 today, as yesterday I wanted to do something ridiculously simple on the wife's W10 Acer laptop i.e. download the owner's manual for her new vehicle to it, and was flummoxed. Instead I got it on her MacBook and left the W10 alone!

All she does mostly with her Acer W10 is play games anyway!

 

[maxseven]

Here is what Dedo has to say

Windows 7 end of support - What to do next guide

Love it, thanks for the link. I like first his Rule #1 which is Don't Panic! He concludes that new hardware will force the issue and I agree with that as well. I did purchase a 2nd identical laptop to the machine I use most critically, but... my brother-in-law got a new laptop with a high res screen--I will want to do that at some point for sure. Maybe by then MS will be up to W12 or something.

 

[Optiplex Owner]

Hi All, I figured I'd throw my two cents in here and offer a suggestion that has worked great for me the last few months. I have about 30 years experience in the computer hobby, and have tried Win 8.1 and various Win10 versions (LTSB and LTSC in particular) and always come back to Win7 for it's performance and stability and great looking UI. Unfortunately I have found that using WSUSOffline, the Simplix Updater, or a very cool update script I found here, that when you get Win7 current on updates performance and stability really go downhill.

Over on askwoody I found a poster that supports a lot of PCs out in the field and he has put up a compelling article on his blog, that I decided to follow. He basically installs no updates after May 2017 as that's when he feels that update quality really got bad. I figured I'd try this out, and have been running my system a few months now this way. I use Waterfox with ublock origin, and privacy badger installed and obviously am careful where I go on the internet. I also tweak services and what not for performance/security. My system is mostly used for browsing and single player games. After following his procedure and only updating to May 2017, I have been rewarded with a very fast and very stable Win7 experience. I have been watching my system like a hawk with various utilities and I have seen nothing that suggests any security issues at all. And the best part is no longer worrying about what Microsoft will break next with the poor quality updates these days.

This may not suit all people, but for me it has been working fantastic!

Rebuild — Windows Update (September, 2019) | Canadian Tech

 

[SIW2]

Optiplex Owner

After following his procedure and only updating to May 2017, I have been rewarded with a very fast and very stable Win7 experience.
Rebuild — Windows Update (September, 2019) | Canadian Tech

UpdatePack7R2-17.5.15.exe
654mb updates to may 2017, both bit versions, all languages, telemetry omitted.

magnet:?xt=urn:btih:4024828D6012E905B55F6EAAD87C63E46F6297A7



If anybody doesn't know what to do with magnet, I could possibly upload it if requested.


1. The GUI for installing into a currently running os.



2. It can also be integrated into installation media
Update your Win 7 installation media.

Download the pack and place it next to 7UPv41.cmd. When you run the 7UPv41.cmd it will find the pack automatically. (If there is no pack there already, it will offer to download the latest)

 

[Optiplex Owner]

@Optiplex Owner
UpdatePack7R2-17.5.15.exe
654mb updates to may 2017, both bit versions, all languages, telemetry omitted.

The Simplix Pack is a very nice piece of software, as is WSUS Offline Update, and the update script found here: Integrate7 script – automatically download and slipstream all updates!

The various update methods above are huge time savers, it's too bad Microsoft has had so many quality problems with updates the last few years no doubt.

So having a Simplix Pack up to May 2017 that matches the CanadianTech article is perfect, thanks!

 

[maxseven]

...The various update methods above are huge time savers, it's too bad Microsoft has had so many quality problems with updates the last few years no doubt...

But...for me who has blindly trusted MS to-date, is there any easy way to roll-back? Or does one have to go into Programs & Features and Uninstall all updates made after May 2017?

EDIT: Well, I guess there are "only" 30 or 40 updates since then, but still...

 

[nikev216]

Bottom line for me is that I don't like Windows 10. I tried to like it but after 8 months, with forced updates being applied when I didn't want them, and essential security updates not being downloaded when I did, together with the removal of Windows Media Center which I use everyday, and that Windows 10 acts like a vacuum cleaner of my personal data which cannot be turned off, (you can hack the registry but Microsoft will always have control over what they install on a Windows 10 machine). It's easily the worst desktop OS I've used. I never felt in control of my own computer and returning to Windows 7 was like a breath of fresh air.

My alternatives in 2020 are to switch to Linux, which will be a steep learning curve, no matter how user friendly they make it, I'm not comfortable using the command line, installing a driver for my DVB TV card on Ubuntu was a nightmare, I couldn't get it installed, and spend hours in their help forums doing something I can achieve in seconds on Windows machine. Which leaves me the pleasant alternative of doing nothing and sticking with Windows 7. There are alternatives for WMC TV guide updates so I can continue to use Windows Media Center, and if I'm careful about where I go on the internet, and have a good anti-virus installed I should be OK in terms of security. I'm sticking with Windows 7 and I hope this forum will continue.

 

[Brds7t7]

UpdatePack7R2-17.5.15.exe
654mb updates to may 2017, both bit versions, all languages, telemetry omitted.

magnet:?xt=urn:btih:4024828D6012E905B55F6EAAD87C63E46F6297A7

Thanks for the magnet link SIW2! That will definitely come in handy in future!

 

[Aardvarkly]

Can you explain what to do with a magnet? This particular pack would be good for me. Lots of mentions in different places but no mention of where to download it. Googled it and only get 3 suggestions. One of them is this forum.

 

[Melchior]

Can you explain what to do with a magnet? This particular pack would be good for me. Lots of mentions in different places but no mention of where to download it. Googled it and only get 3 suggestions. One of them is this forum.

Aardvarkly, Magnet links are for use with a BitTorrent client like BiglyBT (which is the continuation of Azureus/Vuze... under a new name....)
BiglyBT - Bittorrent Client

 

[Aardvarkly]

I probably haven't got enough lifespan left to learn about torrents.
But thank you for your response.

 

[Badbob]

Hello. New here, but have used the info here a bit, over the years, for issues(thanks!). I have a compound question, but first some basic info. Also, do not want to get into the W10 upgrade discussion, not an option, as I see it.
2 PC's and 1 LT. All 3 W7, different versions. All use MSE for antivirus, and intermittently run MB(free).
#1 PC- used to surf and watch video. I have no TV service, watch only what I can on net. PC runs a 19 monitor and older CRT TV. Also used to pay bills,etc.
#2 PC, rarely used anymore, do not do secure stuff on it anymore, sometimes goes for 4 months without even turning on.
#3-LT Used 2-3 times a year, when traveling.
So, I plan on buying a good AV for the main PC, and free for the others, but if OK package, would put paid on all 3. Opinions are welcomed!!
That was my main question. As I do not run anything else but antivirus(and CC), should I also run something else at same time, after the Jan. cut off?
I did the same thing with older PC, running XP, for years, till it died. Only ran a good AV, and cleaned it regularly.
Thanks much for your thoughts,recommendations. Also,thinking of Norton, seems well recommended here.

 

[townsbg]

This thread is about whether or not to say with 7 and as you stated you aren't here to get into that. Therefore it should be it's own topic and I have suggested that your post be split into a new thread.

 

[Badbob]

This thread is about whether or not to say with 7 and as you stated you aren't here to get into that. Therefore it should be it's own topic and I have suggested that your post be split into a new thread.

What trash you are!! Me bringing up questions,and asking for questions, where those that lave you?

I am new here,and asked logical questions, and you seem to only to only want to shut e down.Think about it!!

 

[Struggling7]

This thread is about whether or not to say with 7 and as you stated you aren't here to get into that. Therefore it should be it's own topic and I have suggested that your post be split into a new thread.

townsbg, I appreciate your past contributions to this forum but I agree with Badbob on this issue.

Appears to me he’s just asking for opinions if he keep win 7 on his three units and used good antivirus (maybe Norton), would that be adequate after Jan. 2020. Seems to me that follows this thread topic exactly since it’s titled “What should we do after January 2020”.