Windows 7 and January 14, 2020

Nuttmeg · ‎03-09-2010

Hi Folks,

Microsoft will cease Security Updates and Patches on Tuesday January 14, 2020. The will mean support for Microsoft Office 365 running under Windows 7. This will mean the lost of support for many popular programs.

I recommend checking the website of your favorite software.

Some people say you can use an outdated OS. I will not risk my personal information online. The danger is identity theft.

Please do a Google search on these situations. It will fill in all the blanks.

JMO, Give your computer a tech hug and power it down for the last time.

haddon9 · ‎03-09-2010

I have a desk top that I use that has windows 7 and have been concerned about this. My son is coming to visit next weekend and since he has more knowledge than me will help me figure out what to do...either upgrade or replace my computer.

ceekay · ‎03-12-2010

@Nutmeg Good reminder! I plan to disconnect from the internet and just use it for offline stuff when needed. My old MS Office 2010 is on there for the times when the Apache Open Office I have been using on my Win10 computer is not sufficient (rare, but it happens). So, don't intend to completely retire the Windows 7 laptop quite yet.

apple1964 · ‎08-07-2013

@haddon9 wrote:
I have a desk top that I use that has windows 7 and have been concerned about this. My son is coming to visit next weekend and since he has more knowledge than me will help me figure out what to do...either upgrade or replace my computer.

Hate to tell you this there is nothing to update. You can not update on software that will not be supported. Your computer will be infected with virus and malware. There will be no more updates for windows 7.

gardenman · ‎03-09-2010

According to CNET, the free upgrade to Windows 10 that supposedly expired in 2016 is still there if anyone wants to upgrade to Windows 10 for free. Here's a link to their article about it. https://www.cnet.com/how-to/rip-windows-7-upgrade-to-windows-10-free-heres-how/

Now, they last tested it in November and it worked then, but no guarantees that it still does, but it's worth a shot.

Windows 7 has been around for ten years now. I wouldn't worry too much about continuing to use it. In theory, any and all of the holes in it should have been found and patched in those ten years. God knows people have tried nonstop to find holes in it since it was released. If you're following a good computer safety protocol and have up to date security software, you're probably pretty safe still using Windows 7. It wasn't an especially holey operating system to begin with and whatever issues there were have already likely been found and patched in the ten years it's been out.

Now, if you're working in a security-related field, or have some quality (very rich/powerful, a big name, powerful enemies, etc.) upgrading to Windows 10 would be smarter. For the average Joe or Jane however, you're probably pretty safe still using Windows 7.

Fly!!! Eagles!!! Fly!!!

Bird mama · ‎03-12-2010

I have a windows 7 desktop and windows 10 laptop. For what it's worth, I used a windows XP desktop for a long time after support ended and nothing catastrophic happened.

I'm not saying this to discourage people from upgrading. I just want you to know it won't be armageddon if you don't upgrade immediately.

There are times when you must speak, not because you are going to change the opposing side, but because if you do not speak, they have changed you.

CJC · ‎03-11-2010

I'm not a techie, but I would never ever do any online shopping on Windows 7 after tomorrow. Way too risky. I bought a Windows 10 HP tower in August at Best Buy because my Norton security was expiring and needed a pricey renewal. Saw no point in renewing Norton on my 8 year old Windows 7 Dell desktop. Upgrading to Windows 10 on my old machine was not a good option, and new desktops are so resonably priced today compared to the old days. There is a definite learning curve to changing from 7 to 10, but I am getting there. Contact any PC person and ask about continuing to online shop using 7 after Jan 14 - I'm sure you will be told it's a no go.

glb613 · ‎03-09-2010

@ceekay wrote:
@Nutmeg Good reminder! I plan to disconnect from the internet and just use it for offline stuff when needed. My old MS Office 2010 is on there for the times when the Apache Open Office I have been using on my Win10 computer is not sufficient (rare, but it happens). So, don't intend to completely retire the Windows 7 laptop quite yet.

I plan on continuing to use my windows 7 comptuer. I only use it for games, e-mail and word processing for an organization where I volunteer. I'm not worried about it being unsafe because of the way I will use it.

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

@glb613

Ditto for me.

hckynut

hckynut(john)

glb613 · ‎03-09-2010

@hckynut wrote:

@glb613

Ditto for me.

hckynut

If I was shopping or banking online, I wouldn't. Some people act like if you turn on your Windows 7 computer today, it's going to be compromised. Many people have a Windows 10 computer and still get hacked or have malware. It's because they don't use security software or don't update/scan. Eventually, we'll have to stop using Windows 7 because it's not compatible with security software or other programs.