End of life cycle for Window 7 and 8.x

[connda]

Good article below from CNET regarding the end of life cycle for Windows 7 and 8.x.

The bad news, is that you will no longer be able to buy a computer pre-loaded with Windows 7 or (gag) Window 8.1. After November 2016 any computer you buy will be pre-loaded with Windows 10.

The good new: Windows 7 will be supported until January 14, 2020.

Personally I'm in the process of dual booting my computers with Linux so that I can become more familiar with the OS. The distro of Linux I run isn't going to have a user interface change. Why? Because with Linux, you can choose your own user interface. So we all have 4 years to get 'Linux oriented' and plan on tossing Microsoft completely. I've already found that there isn't much that I do now on Windows that I can't do on Linux. And if push comes to shove, I can always run Win 7 in a 'sandbox' VM or use Windows emulation programs to run a few Windows-based programs that simply are not ported to Linux.

Also, I reformat any pre-loaded machine that I buy. Pre-loaded systems here in the Land of Smiles generally come with bloatware, unlicensed programs, and malware. So it's much better to just install it yourself.

Tired of Microsoft products and operating systems? You have four years to learn Linux. Best of all, it's free!

Article is below for your reading enjoyment:

http://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-to-discontinue-windows-7-8-1-on-new-pcs-in-one-year/

Edited November 7, 2015 by connda

[DogNo1]

Microsoft has now come up with lots of cloud goodies. Besides the free versions of Office products, I was pleased when I tried to email the TPO 2015-2016 season PDF brochure to a friend yesterday. Outlook popped up a notice that the file was to big to email and offered to send it via One Drive. The file saved to One Drive and popped up a window allowing me to enter an email address and a message to go with the file. It then sent a link to my friend so that he could access the file in my "Shared" folder. I'm sticking with MSFT because of the neat features it now offers. I used to use Quarterdeck and didn't switch to Windows until version 3.11. I then switched to NTFS until Windows was put on the NTFS platform. Windows 10 is the best version yet. My flirtations with various Linux distros has not been pleasant. Those of us now using Android on our mobiles and tablets are actually using Linux anyway.

[BuaBS]

You're wrong Connda. Win7 ends when your computer breaks down and is no more repairable. Could be 2025 or even further.

I'm still on win XP , and will do so untill the machine gives up and the spare second hand one , I've got , can't repair it. After that yes I'll be looking at Linux.

[momtaz]

Good news to look at some alternatives

[connda]

You're wrong Connda. Win7 ends when your computer breaks down and is no more repairable. Could be 2025 or even further.

I'm still on win XP , and will do so untill the machine gives up and the spare second hand one , I've got , can't repair it. After that yes I'll be looking at Linux.

Agreed. I have a 11 year old Dell running XP and Linux. It's my system of last resort. I have Office 2003 on it. I'll connect it to the network with Linux, but keep it air-gapped if running XP. It's occasionally useful. Lol.

[cyberfarang]

You're wrong Connda. Win7 ends when your computer breaks down and is no more repairable. Could be 2025 or even further.

I'm still on win XP , and will do so untill the machine gives up and the spare second hand one , I've got , can't repair it. After that yes I'll be looking at Linux.

I recently had to give up on my old computer with Windows XP after the systems began failing to cope with new updates slowing everything down and some programmes updates only applicable with later versions of Windows. My old 9 year old computer was still in good condition and it broke my heart not being able to use it anymore.

Bought a new PC and installed my own version of Windows 7 on it. How I obtained the Windows 7 I can only say; asking me no questions and I`ll tell you no lies. The beauty of Windows 7 is that if you know how, some of the faithful old software programmes can still be adapted to work on W7, including Office 2000 and some of the early versions of Photoshop and others. Which is why I intend to hold on to Windows 7 until the bitter end as I did with XP until forced to move on again.

The belief that the Windows crucial updates are a necessary is a myth. I don`t want the updates and have them disabled, as I did with XP for years with no problems.

Edited November 7, 2015 by cyberfarang

[fasteddie]

"The good new: Windows 7 will be supported until January 14, 2020."

Maybe Windows 10 will be sorted by then.

[katana]

Some Video editing software is only written for Windows and not Linux eg Sony Vegas etc so you would miss out on that if you used Linux.

Whether you could get it to work in Wine or VM I don't know, but would imagine performance would be slowed in a VM machine.

[RKASA]

"The good new: Windows 7 will be supported until January 14, 2020."

Maybe Windows 10 will be sorted by then.

Windows 12 will be sorted by then.

[ParadiseLost]

I started out when DOS was the only option, after a while used Lotus123 then Windows came along and I was hooked. After 20 years of using all Win versions I must say Windows 7 is by far my favorite.

I, too stuck with XP, not believing anything could be better and in the end only changed because of work requirements. I am now faced with moving to W10.

The problem I have with MS is that you cannot customize the interface you are forced to use their one size fits all GUI which I often find lacking. Why have they never allowed 'skins'? Their miserable 'themes' is nothing but cosmetic bloatware. Hopefully W10 fixes some of this but doubt it too.

One thing is for sure, I will wait as long as I can for W10 to stabilize. After seeing many bugs in every new version why would this be different?

[Chicog]

The belief that the Windows crucial updates are a necessary is a myth. I don`t want the updates and have them disabled, as I did with XP for years with no problems.

[Chicog]

I started out when DOS was the only option, after a while used Lotus123 then Windows came along and I was hooked. After 20 years of using all Win versions I must say Windows 7 is by far my favorite.

I, too stuck with XP, not believing anything could be better and in the end only changed because of work requirements. I am now faced with moving to W10.

The problem I have with MS is that you cannot customize the interface you are forced to use their one size fits all GUI which I often find lacking. Why have they never allowed 'skins'? Their miserable 'themes' is nothing but cosmetic bloatware. Hopefully W10 fixes some of this but doubt it too.

One thing is for sure, I will wait as long as I can for W10 to stabilize. After seeing many bugs in every new version why would this be different?

Probably because the Insider program was unprecedented and they probably rolled out 10+ new versions before they finalised the public release.

And they are still giving Insiders builds before they roll them out now.

Three days ago they pushed out Build 10586, which added Casting to Edge among other things.

I'm now using it on:

3 x Laptops (Asus, Lenovo, Dell)

2 x Tablets (Dell, Unbranded)

1 x AIO (Lenovo)

1 x Desktop (Dell)

And not a blue screen on any of them.

And updates are far less intrusive than previous releases.

If it needs a reboot, it prompts you.

If you want to schedule it, you can.

Anyone who browses the Internet and who doesn't update, with all the Web-based malware out there that's stored on hijacked, "legitimate" sites probably needs their head examined.

[harrry]

I started out when DOS was the only option, after a while used Lotus123 then Windows came along and I was hooked. After 20 years of using all Win versions I must say Windows 7 is by far my favorite.

I, too stuck with XP, not believing anything could be better and in the end only changed because of work requirements. I am now faced with moving to W10.

The problem I have with MS is that you cannot customize the interface you are forced to use their one size fits all GUI which I often find lacking. Why have they never allowed 'skins'? Their miserable 'themes' is nothing but cosmetic bloatware. Hopefully W10 fixes some of this but doubt it too.

One thing is for sure, I will wait as long as I can for W10 to stabilize. After seeing many bugs in every new version why would this be different?

Probably because the Insider program was unprecedented and they probably rolled out 10+ new versions before they finalised the public release.

And they are still giving Insiders builds before they roll them out now.

Three days ago they pushed out Build 10586, which added Casting to Edge among other things.

I'm now using it on:

3 x Laptops (Asus, Lenovo, Dell)

2 x Tablets (Dell, Unbranded)

1 x AIO (Lenovo)

1 x Desktop (Dell)

And not a blue screen on any of them.

And updates are far less intrusive than previous releases.

If it needs a reboot, it prompts you.

If you want to schedule it, you can.

Anyone who browses the Internet and who doesn't update, with all the Web-based malware out there that's stored on hijacked, "legitimate" sites probably needs their head examined.

I thought that about my own machines but I have just had a major problem where win 10 could not repair itself on my nieces computer. Possibly half her fault as she is at uni and has no real internet at her place. From investigation it seems that she may have been shutting down half way through updatesbut whatever the cause it is now a dead computer rather than a perfectly useable windows 8 one. WD failed the disk and it appears that on failure the partition holding windows was locked. I have managed to recover most of her files...and bought a new disk but under the circumstances I have decided to do something I never do and get a local shop to install a 300 baht solution.

Not happy Microsoft.....

[Chicog]

A bad disk. That will screw any OS.

[BuaBS]

The belief that the Windows crucial updates are a necessary is a myth. I don`t want the updates and have them disabled, as I did with XP for years with no problems.

You are so right Cyberfarang. I've been saying this for years. Only if you have a specific problem , you can look it up and there maybe an update to fix it.

Don't believe all the garbage MS tells you. 4 to 5 years without updates and everything runs smooth.

The only future glitch is when the virus/malware protection stops giving updates for older versions of their software on XP ( or in the OP's case win7) , but even that is not a reason to end using XP /win 7.

I worry more about about win10's spyware OS , spying on me , trying to get data & info from me to send to MS/nsa. All win 10 and 8 's are spying for MS.

[fang37]

Virus/malware protection available from other suppliers - invariably zero cost.

[Chicog]

Virus/malware protection available from other suppliers - invariably zero cost.

And mostly next to useless these days against 0-day threats.

[fang37]

Virus/malware protection available from other suppliers - invariably zero cost.

And mostly next to useless these days against 0-day threats.

What is your opinion of 360 Security?

I have never had a virus in 30+ years. Lucky?

[harrry]

A bad disk. That will screw any OS.

Yes possibbly though I am not sure that it was bad...

but if I had not upgraded her system to Win 10 I would have had no problem reinstalling and activating the Win 8.1 on a new disk. As it is it has finished.

As said...

Not Happy Microsoft....

[Chicog]

Virus/malware protection available from other suppliers - invariably zero cost.

And mostly next to useless these days against 0-day threats.

What is your opinion of 360 Security?

I have never had a virus in 30+ years. Lucky?

Not really, AV used to be good but the threats are greater these days.

Browser protection is more important than AV IMO.

[fang37]

So, just forget it?

I stay away from porno etc.

I always thought that AV was the supremo.

Edited November 8, 2015 by fang37

[Chicog]

So, just forget it?

I stay away from porno etc.

I always thought that AV was the supremo.

No, I would recommend the use of a decent AV package (360 Total Security is good), but you should not rely on it.

Aussie military intelligence came up with the top four ways to protect yourself, and worked out that these four steps mitigate 85% of known threats.

- Patch the OS

- Patch Applications (people always forget that)

- Don't run with Admin privileges

- Use and Application Whitelist

Which means especially that you should patch or remove Flash, Adobe Reader, etc.

They are a bloody nightmare.

[cyberfarang]

The belief that the Windows crucial updates are a necessary is a myth. I don`t want the updates and have them disabled, as I did with XP for years with no problems.

You are so right Cyberfarang. I've been saying this for years. Only if you have a specific problem , you can look it up and there maybe an update to fix it.

Don't believe all the garbage MS tells you. 4 to 5 years without updates and everything runs smooth.

The only future glitch is when the virus/malware protection stops giving updates for older versions of their software on XP ( or in the OP's case win7) , but even that is not a reason to end using XP /win 7.

I worry more about about win10's spyware OS , spying on me , trying to get data & info from me to send to MS/nsa. All win 10 and 8 's are spying for MS.

Exactly. Once a week I do full scans on my computer with AVG, Super anti spyware, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and CC cleaner and I have Keylogger Detector that manage to find anything that shouldn`t be there. And like you I tackle any specific problem independently, which is rare.

I never open attachments or click links in emails from people unknown or from known contacts that don`t look right and I never log into my online bank accounts without first doing a scan and I don`t save my banking passwords in memory on the computer.

You and I are what is described in the IT industry as bad for business because we prefer to be in control of how our software operates with formats that suit us not having to go along with the flow because it`s not considered fashionable. There is nothing that can be done on Windows 10 what can`t be done on Windows 7, in fact the later the version of Windows the more restrictive they become, loaded with junk that most of us will never use and having more to think about when it comes to protecting our privacy.

[Chicog]

You and I are what is described in the IT industry as bad for business

Actually you're not. You're known as the "PITA that usually end up, without even knowing it, spewing out malware and spam that people in the IT industry end up having to deal with".

But, you know, don't let that get in the way of a good story.

[ParadiseLost]

You and I are what is described in the IT industry as bad for business

Actually you're not. You're known as the "PITA that usually end up, without even knowing it, spewing out malware and spam that people in the IT industry end up having to deal with".

But, you know, don't let that get in the way of a good story.

A veritable cyber Typhoid Mary

Edited November 8, 2015 by ParadiseLost

[BuaBS]

You and I are what is described in the IT industry as bad for business

Actually you're not. You're known as the "PITA that usually end up, without even knowing it, spewing out malware and spam that people in the IT industry end up having to deal with".

But, you know, don't let that get in the way of a good story.

Yes we are bad for the IT industry ! They want us to buy new computers every 3 to 5 years, because the new ones are "better " ," more performant" . My 9,5 year old lappy still does everything I want it to , and is the same as new sub 700 euro all rounders. I still enjoy my 16/10 screen 1920x 1200 pix. None of that 16/9 crap. Didn't spend a eurocent /Baht on vista/win7/win8/win8.1/win10 nor any other software !

I run a clean machine , how can it spew out malware , when there is none on it , it doesn't send out spam... or yahoo email must be doing behind my back , 555 !

I hurt the bottomline of all the computer makers and software makers , and I love it !!

They are not making anything I want to buy. ( Well only bigger HDD's , cause backups are the most important thing !)

[Chicog]

I don't get this, I run Win7 on an old Asus eee PC (atom). Takes a while to start but then runs fine for browsing and email.

[Chicog]

Added: nothing to do with running insecure PC's on a very insecure network!

[cyberfarang]

You and I are what is described in the IT industry as bad for business

Actually you're not. You're known as the "PITA that usually end up, without even knowing it, spewing out malware and spam that people in the IT industry end up having to deal with".

But, you know, don't let that get in the way of a good story.

The biggest culprits that spread malware, viruses and spam onto other computers and online are those that download bad material from visited websites, or copied on from external devices and fail to scan their computers regularly, transfer their bad material through disks and memory sticks in their workplaces and end up getting viruses in their email accounts that automatically send attachments and bad links to all their contacts or send what they consider as must haves by email or links to others who take the bait. No versions of windows can protect us from that.

If you want to believe the marketing boys and scaremongering publicity that we are fed everyday that hackers are queuing up to get in and have keys to unlock the security of our previous Windows systems, then keep up the trend of buying a new computer and the latest software versions every couple of years, the industry will love you for it.

Edited November 8, 2015 by cyberfarang

[Chicog]

The biggest culprits that spread malware, viruses and spam onto other computers and online are those that download bad material from visited websites, or copied on from external devices and fail to scan their computers regularly, transfer their bad material through disks and memory sticks in their workplaces and end up getting viruses in their email accounts that automatically send attachments and bad links to all their contacts or send what they consider as must haves by email or links to others who take the bait. No versions of windows can protect us from that.

Actually that's a popular misconception and it's no longer true, as I said earlier.

Most of the infection attempts I see (other than emails) are from hijacked links on legitimate websites. in other words, they've been hacked and instead of defacing the site or something, they replace a valid link with one to a host somewhere like China or Russia. User's don't normally question a quick lookup, look how many Google or Amazon links you go to just opening most webpages.

They are web attacks intended to exploit either unpatched browsers (any of them) or unpatched addons like Flash.

The email ones are easy to deal with.

The web based ones much harder, because they use sophisticated techniques to hide the download of browser-based malware, then encrypted tunnels to go back to a CnC server to download more malicious code.

Again: The key attack points are unpatched operating systems and software.

Edited November 8, 2015 by Chicog