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Post by delaplume on Apr 18, 2019 22:20:39 GMT
Hello everyone,
Do you still run Windows 7 and Office ??.. I've just had a note from Microsoft announcing the end of Tech Support next year.......
Anyone know what that's all about and what should I do in order to keep going on my computer ??
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Post by atgordon on Apr 19, 2019 0:32:35 GMT
Upgrade to Windows 10. It's a free upgrade and uses the existing W7 license key on your computer (copy the licenses key before starting the process, just in case), however, it takes a little bit of effort to do so. The "old" MS easy upgrade method (free until the end of 2016) is now a purchase only option. The following "free" W10 upgrade options will help: Tech Info approach (if your are a techie)ZDNET step by step process (perhaps better for the average user) Before starting the process, backup all data files to USB hard-drive or some other form of remote storage so you don't lose data in the event that everything goes belly-up. Most W7 computer peripherals should automatically get upgraded W10 drivers during the upgrade .... but sometimes, old hardware doesn't play nicely, so be prepared to search for W10 drivers for odd hardware installed on your current system. I held off upgrading for a years on my W7 workstation, but bit the bullet earlier this year and didn't encounter a problem (YMMV!). |
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Post by 92220 on Apr 19, 2019 7:30:52 GMT
I'm still with Windows 7 and intend to stick with it. Why bother changing something when it's working fine. What is the advantage of upgrading? What would 10 give me that 7 doesn't, apart from new bugs and continual Microsoft software corrections every other night, which don't seem to do anything constructive, and make me wait 10 minutes before I can switch off?
Bob.
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Post by Doug on Apr 19, 2019 11:00:23 GMT
Hello everyone, Do you still run Windows 7 and Office ??.. I've just had a note from Microsoft announcing the end of Tech Support next year....... Anyone know what that's all about and what should I do in order to keep going on my computer ?? Stay with it I work on machines that still run windows 3.11 if your happy then stay with what you know there’s no point upgrading and having all the hassle of old programs not working, if you need to upgrade you can get a nice shiny new computer and run old stuff on a virtual machine. The fact windows 7 will no longer supported is not that significant for end users just make sure your computer has a good firewall or anti virus and your all set |
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Post by Roger on Apr 19, 2019 11:51:04 GMT
I'm still with Windows 7 and intend to stick with it. Why bother changing something when it's working fine. What is the advantage of upgrading? What would 10 give me that 7 doesn't, apart from new bugs and continual Microsoft software corrections every other night, which don't seem to do anything constructive, and make me wait 10 minutes before I can switch off? Bob. Windows 7 will be more vulnerable to attack because it won't get patched when new exploits are found in the code that's common to Windows 10. They do update Windows 10 more often than I'd like, but so far it's not caused any major headaches. In the long run, you'll have to switch over anyway, so why not do it now since it's going to get support for the foreseeable future? I changed over a couple of years ago and I'd say it's the most stable Windows has ever been, and that includes Windows XP. |
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Post by atgordon on Apr 19, 2019 14:03:40 GMT
I have a Windows Vista computer that drip feeds my mill, and I have no plans to update it (it's so old that it has 2 serial ports that work very well with the mill controller). HOWEVER, I never connect the computer to the internet for any reason. Roger is right about the increased risk of infection and malware since the vulnerabilities in the core code of the operating system will not be updated: virus protection will not defend against sophisticated OS exploits. This article covers what happens to vulnerable computers in the commercial world (and you can guarantee that they were using anti-virus SW). Also, W10 is free at this time ... once W7 support ends, the bean counters at MS might decide to charge for the upgrade (that's what motivated me!). In terms of benefits, using the W10 rapid boot setting (the default), my system is showing the login screen 15 seconds after I press the ON button ... beats W7 by a full minute! |
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Post by 92220 on Apr 19, 2019 16:23:14 GMT
Perhaps I'll have to think again!!
Bob.
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stevep
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,070
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Post by stevep on Apr 19, 2019 18:35:33 GMT
I changed over to W10 when it came out, and like previous people have commented, have found it very stable.
The upgrades are released once a month (on the second Tuesday) and if you are set for automatic downloads, they are applied when you shut down (which I do each night).
The only down-side is that there is sometimes a lack of support for legacy equipment. I have an old, and lovely label printer, but since I changed from XP, I haven't been able to get it to work.
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Post by Roger on Apr 19, 2019 19:37:11 GMT
I changed over to W10 when it came out, and like previous people have commented, have found it very stable. The upgrades are released once a month (on the second Tuesday) and if you are set for automatic downloads, they are applied when you shut down (which I do each night). The only down-side is that there is sometimes a lack of support for legacy equipment. I have an old, and lovely label printer, but since I changed from XP, I haven't been able to get it to work. Hi Steve, There are certainly some legacy bits and pieces that aren't supported, I couldn't get a driver for my DigiTV card, but just decided not to watch TV in the end! |
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