topic Re: 🚨Windows 7: Update today 1/13🚨 in Community Chat

🚨Windows 7: Update today 1/13🚨

sidsmom — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 13:02:05 GMT

The end is near for Window 7 users:

After 10 years,

Microsoft will stop supporting the OS on Jan. 14, 2020,

which means it's time to upgrade to Windows 10 to keep your PC running smoothly and securely. (Extended support for Windows 8.1 users ends in January 2023.)

Some users have been hesitant to make the switch, as the rollout of Windiws 10 saw several issues, including a series of bugs that led Microsoft to pull its October 2018 Update days after its release. In April, however,

Microsoft laid out several changes to its update approach starting with the May 2019 release, including slower rollouts with additional testing, more options for pausing updates and more disclosure of known issues.

Reasons to update:

Security

The need to upgrade to Windows 10 is "primarily a security issue," said Forrester Research analyst Andrew Hewitt. If you are still using Windows 7 or earlier versions come January, Microsoft will not provide security updates or fixes, or technical support for any issues -- leaving your computer at greater risk from viruses and malware.

Windows 10 includes the built-in Windows Defender Antivirus to protect against malware and spyware across email, apps, the cloud and the web. Windows Hello offers a password-free sign in option to unlock your devices with your face or a fingerprint reader. And a Find My Device service can lock and erase your Windows device remotely, or map the location of your device.

User experience features

Windows 10 offers a better user experience thanks to a number of features, Kleynhans said. One is the Your Phone app, which allows you to access texts, notifications and apps on your phone using your PC -- similar to Apple's Continuity features. A feature called Calls allows you to place and answer Android calls on your PC as well (and you can connect your iPhone to your Windows PC as well). A dictation feature lets you easily record ideas.

Microsoft's digital assistant Cortana is also available on Windows 10 PCs. The OS also integrates better with Microsoft OneDrive and other cloud tools, Kleynhans said.

The most recent Windows 10 November 2019 update includes some new features such as changes to notifications that will make them easier to configure and manage from an app or website, and the ability to create events directly from the Calendar flyout on the Taskbar, instead of opening the app.

Automatic updates

Unlike previous versions, Windows 10 offers automatic updates by default, to keep systems more secure. (You can turn these off if you want to, by going to Windows Update Settings > Advanced Options and changing from Automatic to another option in the drop-down menu.)

"While some users might actually think that getting no more annoying updates is a blessing, it actually would pretty quickly expose the user to all sorts of potential malware attacks," Kleynhans said. "The good news is that for the most part Windows 10 is a pretty smooth upgrade for the vast majority of users."

You can expect updates to happen fairly frequently, Hewitt said, "almost as if you're using an Android or an iOS device and getting prompts to continuously update the operating system."

How to upgrade to Windows 10

You can download Windows 10 via Microsoft's website.

Re: 🚨Windows 7: Update today 1/13🚨

apple1964 — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 13:08:51 GMT

OMG... finally putting that dino to rest.

Re: 🚨Windows 7: Update today 1/13🚨

chrystaltree — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 16:28:45 GMT

It's hard to believe that anyone is still using Windows 7 but it seems like they are killing the toothless, half dead, old beast off; whether people like it or not. A comment that a friend made yesterday makes sense now.

Re: 🚨Windows 7: Update today 1/13🚨

sidsmom — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 16:49:56 GMT

I read where 20% of PC users still use Windows 7.

Eeeps.

Re: 🚨Windows 7: Update today 1/13🚨

sissel — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 17:34:41 GMT

I am fine got my windows 10 laptop but DH finally ordered a new p/c and he is sad so I said just keep the old one (he is attached to it) so next week we should have the new one. So we still have to keep the windows 7 but think after awhile he may get rid of it. We have an old flip phone (just incase) LOL so guess windows 7 will be added to the closet with the flip phone. He hates to throw out electronics that still work. Do you have a husband like that?

Re: 🚨Windows 7: Update today 1/13🚨

FranandZoe — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 17:49:27 GMT

What does this even mean? So MS will no longer "support" Windows 7 - so what. My laptop is still running Windows 7 - I've never had a problem - it's still going strong. IMO this is just a ploy to sell new products. If it ain't broke don't fix it - leave it alone.

Re: 🚨Windows 7: Update today 1/13🚨

sidsmom — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 17:52:18 GMT

@FranandZoe wrote:
What does this even mean? So MS will no longer "support" Windows 7 - so what. My laptop is still running Windows 7 - I've never had a problem - it's still going strong. IMO this is just a ploy to sell new products. If it ain't broke don't fix it - leave it alone.

@FranandZoe

If not updating, you'll be RIPE for viruses...even more so than normal.

Good luck with that.

Re: 🚨Windows 7: Update today 1/13🚨

CJC — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 17:58:21 GMT

@sidsmom wrote:
@FranandZoe wrote:
What does this even mean? So MS will no longer "support" Windows 7 - so what. My laptop is still running Windows 7 - I've never had a problem - it's still going strong. IMO this is just a ploy to sell new products. If it ain't broke don't fix it - leave it alone.
@FranandZoe
If not updating, you'll be RIPE for viruses...even more so than normal.
Good luck with that.

Beware...do not continue to use Windows 7 for online shopping, banking etc. The crooks are drooling just waiting for you to do so.

Re: 🚨Windows 7: Update today 1/13🚨

Icegoddess — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 18:00:09 GMT

I'm fine using Windows 7. I'm not ripe for viruses because I don't use it on the internet. The only time it uses the internet on that machine is when one of my programs updates and that is done from within the program. I'm mainly a Mac user though and I have anti-virus software that covers both Windows & Mac, so if I feel the need to download something, I can do it on the Mac and then transfer it over to the Windows machine.

Re: 🚨Windows 7: Update today 1/13🚨

Still Raining — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 21:15:02 GMT

I wonder if we have a diehard Windows 95 user here?

Change is hard.

Re: 🚨Windows 7: Update today 1/13🚨

mspatmac — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 00:42:52 GMT

@CJC wrote:
@sidsmom wrote:
@FranandZoe wrote:
What does this even mean? So MS will no longer "support" Windows 7 - so what. My laptop is still running Windows 7 - I've never had a problem - it's still going strong. IMO this is just a ploy to sell new products. If it ain't broke don't fix it - leave it alone.
@FranandZoe
If not updating, you'll be RIPE for viruses...even more so than normal.
Good luck with that.
Beware...do not continue to use Windows 7 for online shopping, banking etc. The crooks are drooling just waiting for you to do so.

@FranandZoe If you have a licensed version of windows, and most do, you can upgrade for free. Google upgrade for free and lots of help comes up. It's a huge mistake to leave yourself at risk.

Re: 🚨Windows 7: Update today 1/13🚨

FranandZoe — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 01:24:55 GMT

But MS isn't my virus protection.

Re: 🚨Windows 7: Update today 1/13🚨

wildcat fan — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 01:30:09 GMT

Checking for my mom. . .

She has a Dell computer that is about 4 or 5 years old. She has Windows 7 and whatever Microsoft Word/PowerPoint/etc. was new at the time. When we update to Windows 10, will she have to upgrade Microsoft Word too?

Last month I updated Catalina on a MacBook Pro that we've had for 5 years. I no longer had access to Microsoft Word after I updated, so I had to purchase new software. I was wondering if the same will happen to my mom's Dell computer when we update to Windows 10. I'm planning to help her with that this weekend. Thanks for your help.

Re: 🚨Windows 7: Update today 1/13🚨

Nuttmeg — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 01:42:17 GMT

@wildcat fan wrote:
Checking for my mom. . .

She has a Dell computer that is about 4 or 5 years old. She has Windows 7 and whatever Microsoft Word/PowerPoint/etc. was new at the time. When we update to Windows 10, will she have to upgrade Microsoft Word too?

Last month I updated Catalina on a MacBook Pro that we've had for 5 years. I no longer had access to Microsoft Word after I updated, so I had to purchase new software. I was wondering if the same will happen to my mom's Dell computer when we update to Windows 10. I'm planning to help her with that this weekend. Thanks for your help.

@wildcat fan

Your mother should buy a new laptop and replace her software.

How much does she use her machine would a IPad work for her?

Re: 🚨Windows 7: Update today 1/13🚨

wildcat fan — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 01:48:17 GMT

@Nuttmeg wrote:
@wildcat fan wrote:
Checking for my mom. . .

She has a Dell computer that is about 4 or 5 years old. She has Windows 7 and whatever Microsoft Word/PowerPoint/etc. was new at the time. When we update to Windows 10, will she have to upgrade Microsoft Word too?

Last month I updated Catalina on a MacBook Pro that we've had for 5 years. I no longer had access to Microsoft Word after I updated, so I had to purchase new software. I was wondering if the same will happen to my mom's Dell computer when we update to Windows 10. I'm planning to help her with that this weekend. Thanks for your help.
@wildcat fan
Your mother should buy a new laptop and replace her software.
How much does she use her machine would a IPad work for her?

Thanks for your input @Nuttmeg She got an iPad last year and really likes it. Sometimes she still uses Microsoft Word, though, so I think that's why she has hung onto the Dell. There are so many good buys on laptops that I'm thinking it might be best if we update, but it takes her time to warm up to the idea of new computers and software. I suggested the cloud based Office 365, which she could use on her iPad, but she's said she doesn't want that. I think we'll check out Best Buy this weekend so she can get a look at what's available.

Re: 🚨Windows 7: Update today 1/13🚨

Nuttmeg — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 02:11:47 GMT

@Icegoddess wrote:
I'm fine using Windows 7. I'm not ripe for viruses because I don't use it on the internet. The only time it uses the internet on that machine is when one of my programs updates and that is done from within the program. I'm mainly a Mac user though and I have anti-virus software that covers both Windows & Mac, so if I feel the need to download something, I can do it on the Mac and then transfer it over to the Windows

@Icegoddess

It will not be safe to run any Windows 7 computers on the net after January 14, 2020.

Please check the update status for all programs on your computer, including the security software.

Re: 🚨Windows 7: Update today 1/13🚨

Nuttmeg — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 02:17:16 GMT

@wildcat fan wrote:
@Nuttmeg wrote:
@wildcat fan wrote:
Checking for my mom. . .

She has a Dell computer that is about 4 or 5 years old. She has Windows 7 and whatever Microsoft Word/PowerPoint/etc. was new at the time. When we update to Windows 10, will she have to upgrade Microsoft Word too?

Last month I updated Catalina on a MacBook Pro that we've had for 5 years. I no longer had access to Microsoft Word after I updated, so I had to purchase new software. I was wondering if the same will happen to my mom's Dell computer when we update to Windows 10. I'm planning to help her with that this weekend. Thanks for your help.
@wildcat fan
Your mother should buy a new laptop and replace her software.
How much does she use her machine would a IPad work for her?
Thanks for your input @Nuttmeg She got an iPad last year and really likes it. Sometimes she still uses Microsoft Word, though, so I think that's why she has hung onto the Dell. There are so many good buys on laptops that I'm thinking it might be best if we update, but it takes her time to warm up to the idea of new computers and software. I suggested the cloud based Office 365, which she could use on her iPad, but she's said she doesn't want that. I think we'll check out Best Buy this weekend so she can get a look at what's available.
@wildcat fan

I have been using Office 365 since 2015 on a Windows 8.1 computer. It is a nice program that automatically looks after itself.

Enjoy your shopping trip.

Re: 🚨Windows 7: Update today 1/13🚨

Icegoddess — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 02:51:04 GMT

@Nuttmeg wrote:

@Icegoddess wrote:
I'm fine using Windows 7. I'm not ripe for viruses because I don't use it on the internet. The only time it uses the internet on that machine is when one of my programs updates and that is done from within the program. I'm mainly a Mac user though and I have anti-virus software that covers both Windows & Mac, so if I feel the need to download something, I can do it on the Mac and then transfer it over to the Windows
@Icegoddess
It will not be safe to run any Windows 7 computers on the net after January 14, 2020.
Please check the update status for all programs on your computer, including the security software.

@Nuttmeg, as I said, I don't use it on the net. I don't have any security software on it because I don't run it on the net. I have one program that goes out and gets updates from within the program. I don't download updates. Whenever I open the program it checks the status, tells me if there is an update available, and then asks do I want to update. It does all the work from there. I won't be updating any of my other programs, ever. One of them is native to XP, and the other I just have no plans to update. There are updates already available for it but they won't work on Windows 7 so I'm not updating it.

Re: 🚨Windows 7: Update today 1/13🚨

noodleann — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 04:38:26 GMT

@Still Raining wrote:
I wonder if we have a diehard Windows 95 user here?

Change is hard.

You can't even get online with 95. It just won't process most pages.

The diehards are using XP, which is or was a solid OS. So is 7. I want a command-line prompt, which I can get in 7. They eliminated it in 10, from what I've read. You can also emulate XP in 7 and run programs in it that won't run on 8.1 or whatever that mess is up to by now.

IIRC, the solid OSs were 95, XP, and 7. Don't know how 10 is shaking out. Windows Me, 2000, Vista, and 8/8.1 ranged from troubled to hot messes. I've probably forgotten some.

Although I hate the silly blown-up graphical interface of 10 that seems so dumbed down, I liked Bob, if you can remember that far back.

Re: 🚨Windows 7: Update today 1/13🚨

Icegoddess — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 05:05:48 GMT

@wildcat fan wrote:
Checking for my mom. . .

She has a Dell computer that is about 4 or 5 years old. She has Windows 7 and whatever Microsoft Word/PowerPoint/etc. was new at the time. When we update to Windows 10, will she have to upgrade Microsoft Word too?

Last month I updated Catalina on a MacBook Pro that we've had for 5 years. I no longer had access to Microsoft Word after I updated, so I had to purchase new software. I was wondering if the same will happen to my mom's Dell computer when we update to Windows 10. I'm planning to help her with that this weekend. Thanks for your help.

@wildcat fan, your mother could change over to Pages. It's Mac's version of MS Word. It opens Word documents and doesn't even change the extension to Pages extension until you start making changes and save it. If she just double-clicks on a Word document on her Mac it should bring up that document in Pages since Word is no longer active. Also, I think you can use Pages on the iPad. That was actually one of the reasons I thought of getting an iPad when I needed to get a new tablet after being Android all these years. Nothing to buy, it comes with the Mac OS. I was one of those who lost my MS Office with the update to Catalina too, but I had already started changing some of my documents over to Pages because MS Word was introducing some sort of corruption to some of my documents. Documents in Pages can also be exported in Word format if she wants to share her documents with someone.