Is anyone still using Windows 7?

[triber]

I am still using Windows 7, but I keep getting warnings that if I don't change to Windows 10, I will not be protected from viruses and malware and will have no support.

In order to convert to Windows 10, I would have to have a new computer, my older one wouldn't work. I don't want to have to buy a new computer, but because of selling on eBay, I am concerned about viruses etc.

Any advice?

[mrdutch1001]

Yes, and same here...but I have acquired a newer computer from a family member that has Windows 10 and am transferring everything over to Windows 10 computer and expect to be using the newer computer by the time Windows 7 becomes unsupported.

[ricarmic]

I have 2 "contingency" laptops that are still running Windows 7. 

My main machine is Windows 10.

I keep the contingency machines updated just incase the prime machine fails. They are normally our morning "newspaper/weather network" machines. 

Both contingency machines have problems, one is 8 years old, the other has a nasty habit of just hard powering down for no apparent reason a couple times a year, so as in your case there is no justification for paying the $229 each (or whatever) it costs to put windows 10 on them.

For virus etc protection I use McAfee livesafe which covers up to 50 machines so I've blanketed it across all my PCs, and phones.

I expect McAfee will also cease providing updates after Jan 2020 too for Win7 machines. Once that happens, I'll probably purchase another Win 10 machine for the contingency machine and the Win 7 machines will sit around unconnected. (My father in law is running a windows vista machine which is over 10 years old now, so one of them will likely go to him when his finally coughs - he does nothing other than read the newspaper and play solitare so he doesn't care about updates/currency).

[ypdc_dennis · Accepted solution]

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@triber wrote:

I am still using Windows 7, but I keep getting warnings that if I don't change to Windows 10, I will not be protected from viruses and malware and will have no support.

In order to convert to Windows 10, I would have to have a new computer, my older one wouldn't work. I don't want to have to buy a new computer, but because of selling on eBay, I am concerned about viruses etc.

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You won't drop off a cliff on January 14, 2020. You just won't have protection against new viruses and malware that appear after that.

Current estimate (from Computerworld) is that 35% of computers running Windows will be using 7 when the support stops, with 10's share rising to 58%

And the January 2021 prediction is that Win7 will still be found running on a quarter of Windows computers.  So you are not alone.

You could get third party protection from viruses and malware instead of relying on Microsoft.

You could switch to a Windows alternative operating system that will work with your old equipment.

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/linux-like-windows

https://www.maketecheasier.com/best-linux-distro-for-windows-users/

You could buy a refurbished (off lease) computer with Windows 10 installed (local or eBay) for under $300 -- just watch for all the sales.  Or find a friend/relative looking to unload old tech.

....

My eBay stuff is run on an old laptop (originally had Windows 7) that was passed along from a relative (with no harddrive and a dead battery) for free.  Resurrected with a bootable flash drive and Puppy Linux 7.5

-..-

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

@triber 

There was a small "window" for upgrading from Win 7 to 8/8.1 to 10 that made it relatively painless. After that window had expired it became a bit more complicated. There are online tools/videos on youtube for the easiest ways.  See search below. The alternate plan is to purchase a new copy of win 10. They are available online with clean licences at much reduced prices if you luck out in a search.  (Extremely critical to review the entire listing before purchasing.)I have a spare laptop that missed that window so need to decide which path to go down. Right now it is not a priority.

upgrade windows 7 to windows 10 free download

-Lotz

[cumos55]

Once upon a time ago  my first computer experience, at my work, was an IBM-XT  at about 1985.

The first computer at home was a Windows 98....  in the 1990's.  This was my first computer for selling on eBay....

and then  came a Windows XT....  and a laptop with Windows Vista.

When Windows XT was no longer to be supported  the progression was to  Windows 7. 

I was still using the laptop with Windows Vista.... Although Windows Vista is no longer supported....  the laptop is still being used   to receive all my emails.

Then came a situation where the computer with Windows 7 could be adjusted to Windows 10   at no extra cost.

The transition from Windows 7 to Windows 10  was not done... Then came a day when I blinked  and I was using Windows 10.  That took some time to make all of the  changes  to make Windows 10  a very functional option on my primary computer

With each change in computer system ... the change was made... With each adjustment  ......The adjustment was made.

Today  I have a computer with Windows 10  for my all of my selling on eBay.  The laptop  with Windows Vista is my email computer....  Having a second computer works well because my emails are separate form my selling on eBay.

My most recent purchase was a computer screen....bought on a Boxing day sale...   The screen is 12 inches high  and 20 inches wide....  

I did not realize  how great this screen was until   I looked at my eBay orders page on my lap top with a screen that measures 10 inches x 14 inches....

I do not want to think back to that mini screen on the IBM XT.

I did hesitate with each change... but in retrospect   I would not be where I am today  if I did not  make all  of the changes noted.

With each  change  my selling on eBay became easier.....  

The biggest problem on the internet today is the people  who want to "hack" your system....  My brain is full of passwords.....  with a secure system.

One last thing.....  Turbolister died for me in the summer of 2014.  Today I use Auctiva... and like everything else that has happened....  I will never be unhappy  with the change ... 

---------------------------

For me  it has become... make the change... and never look back .... 

Selling on eBay has become a relatively easy option

My most functional operating system is located between my ears....  

[kawartha-ephemera]

As others have noted, Windows 7 machines will continue to operate just fine beyond January 2020. I wouldn't worry too much about picking up a virus or malware provided browsing is limited to a short list of trusted sites. That said any Windows 7 hardware is getting awfully long in the tooth by now, probably a good time to think about upgrading. 

One of the primary benefits of Windows 10 is that the operating system will not in a few years time become unsupported and therefore obsolete  … that is the theory as explained by Microsoft … a single always up to date operating system for PCs and tablets, phones too if they decide to take another swing at that market.

[triber]

Thank you all for the help and suggestions. I guess I am going to have to bite the bullet and get another computer, I hope Windows 10 won't be hard to learn, at 77 years old, learning new things is not easy.

[mrdutch1001]

Also in my 70's and didn't learn how to use a computer until about 16 years ago, so I think I should be able to ease myself into adapting to Windows 10.

[triber]

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@mrdutch1001 wrote:

Also in my 70's and didn't learn how to use a computer until about 16 years ago, so I think I should be able to ease myself into adapting to Windows 10.

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I am like you, I learned to use a computer 20 years ago just to sell on eBay. A friend going into a nursing home wanted me to purchase their china cabinet of Royal Doulton pottery, I wanted to sell some of them.

You will laugh when you hear that it took me about a week to actually get an eBay account. I had never heard of "feedback", and when they asked for it, I kept trying to put one in, but kept getting a row of little dots!! I actually wrote to eBay and told them what was happening, they never replied!

[kawartha-ephemera]

Windows 10 does present somewhat differently than W7 but an experienced W7 user should not have too much difficulty getting squared away.

The "Start" button remains there at the bottom corner although I find myself rarely using it now. The Desktop can be setup and used in the same way if one feels the need. Find myself navigating  Windows almost exclusively from the Task bar these days.

I think the biggest change for me personally was relearning how to find and navigate the various System Settings. The old W7 style Control Panel menu is much changed, one needs to use the Start button Search function to locate all sorts of obscure settings. 

[cumos55]

It took me a while to learn the importance of the taskbar....     Items on the taskbar are like labeling a door to a unique room

and then bookmarks... links to specific pages on the internet....

Windows 10 is easy to use.... never look back ...

Updates  might sometimes add something unique  ..... that needs new learning... and adjustment... and then the next update may be a "correction".

I once woke up at about 3:00 AM... and started an update.....  that took 2 hours....  so much for a good night of sleep

[Anonymous]

I am surprised that you are able to run on eBay.  eBay won't allow me to use eBay until I get a new computer and I ended up having to buy a new printer as the old printer cable won't work on new computer.  Better change soon or you won't run on eBay.

[ypdc_dennis]

Really?  eBay requires you to have a new computer?

Up-to-date software maybe, but new hardware is not on the list.

-..-

[cumos55]

When I moved from Windows XP to Windows 7  it was my choice to purchase a new computer.

It was my choice to keep the old computer with Windows XP as a source of data.

This was done to have a balance between new hardware and new software.

Moving from Windows 7 to Windows 10  was no problem.......  I have new hardware.

How computers work is constantly changing. 

Windows 7 and Windows 10  should always "work better"  with new hardware

[mrdutch1001]

eBay does not dictate my computer and/or Windows 7...

Have had no issues with any programs or any aspect of operating this computer with windows 7. If it weren't for the fact that Windows 7 won't be supported after January I would not even bother to upgrade,  but I do so much with my computer that it is important to update the technology/software as needed.  I have a desktop and have no plans to opt for any other type of computer.

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

For the most part, no issues!!  🙂

-Lotz

[kawartha-ephemera]

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@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:

For the most part, no issues!!  🙂

-Lotz

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Haha ... my setup requires punch cards ... support was dropped sometime during the 1970s!

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

@kawartha-ephemera 

Hope you have a good backup stock of those punch cards? For me, who knew going from 300 to 1200 baud would make such a difference?? Except it keeps crashing my Shaw!!

-Lotz

[rosscd57]

I remember when I attending  Mac - going to the Science Building at 3:00 in the morning (cause that was the only time undergrads could get time) with a fist full of punch cards to stuff in their new IBM computer which took up two floors of the building. Stupidest thing I ever did was to take a class in Fortran programming - **bleep** near failed it.

Then when I started working - we upgraded to keying in all commands from memory  - still hard to believe.