Does anyone still use Windows 7?

LTS3

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If you do, be aware that Microsoft has ended all support for this OS:


Some articles on what to do if your computer is still running Windows 7:


Just an FYI if anyone here was previously unaware of this and need info before deciding to spring for the upgrade/ new computer or use a different OS or just continue to use Windows 7 :)
 
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susanm9006

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Yeah, I am still running it and probably will until this computer dies. If I upgraded I would lose some software that I use all the time so I am taking the risk. But because I rely on my IPad so much, I probably am only on the computer fifteen or twenty minutes a week.
 

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I don't want to move to Windows 10, and I do like Windows 7 and want to retain it. So I've found a work-around. I'm in the process of switching to a dual-boot system - Windows 7 and Linux. The plan is to use Win 7 for those programs that I have that require Windows, and use Linux for everything that involves going online.

Margret
 
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LTS3

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Yeah, I am still running it and probably will until this computer dies. If I upgraded I would lose some software that I use all the time so I am taking the risk. But because I rely on my IPad so much, I probably am only on the computer fifteen or twenty minutes a week.

Windows 7 will still run fine. Just don't use it to connect to the Internet because of the high risk of hackers and viruses exploiting the fact that Microsoft will no provide security updates and such. Ant-virus software will still provide updates against new viruses and threats. At least that's what I'm understanding.
 

Willow's Mom

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I don't want to move to Windows 10, and I do like Windows 7 and want to retain it. So I've found a work-around. I'm in the process of switching to a dual-boot system - Windows 7 and Linux. The plan is to use Win 7 for those programs that I have that require Windows, and use Linux for everything that involves going online.

Margret
That's a great plan. It sure worked for me way back in '04. :D :D :D

Which distro did you decide on?

Susan, Gnu/Linux doesn't cost any money and will put less wear and tear on your computer. You can just run it off a CD or USB stick if you need the Windows programmes.


^Revolution OS: the movie^
 
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Margret

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Ant-virus software will still provide updates against new viruses and threats. At least that's what I'm understanding.
For a while, but I anticipate that this will stop shortly. Check with individual companies to find out their schedule.

Which distro did you decide on?
Currently thinking Ubuntu, but I still need to play around with it a bit.

You can just run it off a CD or USB stick if you need the Windows programmes.
I have a large USB stick that I'm using to play with it; when I make a final decision I'll install the second system on the hard drive. I can supply a how-to link for anyone who's interested (though I don't have it handy at the moment).

Margret
 

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Currently thinking Ubuntu, but I still need to play around with it a bit.


I have a large USB stick that I'm using to play with it; when I make a final decision I'll install the second system on the hard drive. I can supply a how-to link for anyone who's interested (though I don't have it handy at the moment).

Margret
Most people should probably use Ubuntu. You can learn a lot with it asnd it's very customizable. You'll be ready for Debian when/if it starts getting on your nerves, IMNSHO. :lol:

Virtual machines are fun too. Wanna see it fly?

screenshot.png



sudo apt install fluxbox menumaker

Openbox, Awesome, and i3 are fun too.
 
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Margret

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I recognize GIMP; I have it in Windows - still trying to make sense of layers. Menumaker looks very promising, and I'll have to check out the other three later - right now I'm starving!

Margret
 

Willow's Mom

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You've got all the time there is. :D

That's a screenshot of my beast; I like lean and fast, so I was trying to show you a lightweight Window Manager called Fluxbox. Gnome will still be there when you need it, but most of the time you won't and a simple Window Manager will speed things up significantly. Of course if you like eye candy you can get that too:



Welcome to the revolution!
 

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I ran from Windows Vista to 8.1 and couldn't get there fast enough. Then I went from 8.1 to 10 and have been happy with 10.
But I dearly loved XP.
We used Win 7 at work and it was OK. I was happy to start using 10 at work, too. It wasn't a big deal to change over.
 

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My guru and I had a long conversation about what I should do,and I decided to go the route of buying new.I wasn't really fond of the idea of spending money to buy 10 and it not work well on my oldie,so for me it was a better choice.I'm also not crazy about all the different options of stop using this and do that,etc.I want to turn it on,sit down and do my thing.So I did,and I'm sure I have much to learn with windows 10,but so far so good.
 

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Windows 10 recent had a big security issue, make sure you update the January update.
I have windows 7 and I have independent virus programs; my tech friends still use it too. As long as you have anti-virus stuff, you should be fine.
 

susanm9006

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The problem for me isn’t replacing the computer. It is replacing the Microsoft office suite and photoshop software on it. They want you to pay monthly or annually now for the software and I will be darned if I will pay $10 plus a month for that. You can buy Microsoft office outright but the package doesn’t include outlook which I really like. So I will probably end up buying the cheapest laptop I can find just so I can use it to Ethernet connect to the internet for business and banking. And I will keep my Windows 7 system so I can use the software.
 

Winchester

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susanm9006 susanm9006 I just got Microsoft Office Home and Business for $219 with a new Dell laptop. It's a single user license and it includes Outlook (which is why I got the H and B version).

This is not for us. Rick's union local wanted a new laptop and asked us to start pricing. They told us what they wanted and I went with their needs. No way did was I (union) paying for the monthly version of Office if I could avoid it. They don't use Adobe anything, so I was good there. Still looking at new printers for them.

Amazon has it, too, for $219.99. I tried to link to it, but couldn't. It's Microsoft Office Home and Business 2019. I'm using it on my home computer (got the computer last summer).
 

Willow's Mom

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Susan, $219 is a positively disgusting amount of money and I have grown fond of you through your posts here; please forgive me for sounding like a spammer.

Would this meet your needs for office software?


There is no bundled "freeware" to advertise at you and it is fully functional. The reasons why it doesn't cost money are in the link to gnu dot org that I posted upthread.

Outlook is an email program, isn't it? I vaguely remember using it on XP or Win9x. I currently use Icedove-UXP which is my distro's spin on this:


and instead of Adobe Photoshop, we have this:


or it's less albeist-named fork:


I believe that there are Windows and Mac ports of all of these programmes. Margret has the link and most recent information about installing Ubuntu to a USB stick. Another option that Gnubies aren't always aware of is to install to an external hard drive:

because you can't do that with Windows!

Anywho....Gnu/Linux has come a long way and is very user friendly thse days. It's a lot of fun. You don't have to make a huge commitment any more if you want to play around with it and see it it might be the right solution for you.

You really do need to keep your browser, email client, and antivirus up to date if you're going to take your computer online. It's a public health issue. Maybe Dario can post a link to the security issues with Windows 10.

I went running from WinXP to Mandrake and Knoppix in '04, before Ubuntu was released, and have never looked back. I stopped working on Windows when Vista came out, with a few exceptions when I see someone I care about in pain.

At this point, I can't even find the start menu or the terminal to shut the fool thing down. I'm glad Winchester is here to help those of you who decide to go with Win 10.

/ dork
 
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Albus&minnie

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If you do, be aware that Microsoft has ended all support for this OS:

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Some articles on what to do if your computer is still running Windows 7:

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Just an FYI if anyone here was previously unaware of this and need info before deciding to spring for the upgrade/ new computer or use a different OS or just continue to use Windows 7 :)
Yep , i'm on windows , 7 , my brother won't change it to windows 10 , but i'm sure he will when i get my new pc.
 

Willow's Mom

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Your new PC will most likely come with Win8-10 preinstalled. My new-to-me Lenovo T400 did and it's in the BIOS!!!!! You can't get rid of it!!!!! It seriously kept trying to install itself even after I reformatted and partitioned. I had to change from GPT to MBR to get rid of it!

:flail:

and on THAT note, before I start sounding like a mentally ill individual babbling vaguely technical-sounding nonsense syllables, I shall leave you windowsophiles in peace to deal with your own computers in your own ways. :lol:

Feel free to DM me or start a Gnubie thread if you want to chat about *nix some more.
 

susanm9006

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Susan, $219 is a positively disgusting amount of money and I have grown fond of you through your posts here; please forgive me for sounding like a spammer.

Would this meet your needs for office software?


There is no bundled "freeware" to advertise at you and it is fully functional. The reasons why it doesn't cost money are in the link to gnu dot org that I posted upthread.

Outlook is an email program, isn't it? I vaguely remember using it on XP or Win9x. I currently use Icedove-UXP which is my distro's spin on this:


and instead of Adobe Photoshop, we have this:


or it's less albeist-named fork:


I believe that there are Windows and Mac ports of all of these programmes. Margret has the link and most recent information about installing Ubuntu to a USB stick. Another option that Gnubies aren't always aware of is to install to an external hard drive:

because you can't do that with Windows!

Anywho....Gnu/Linux has come a long way and is very user friendly thse days. It's a lot of fun. You don't have to make a huge commitment any more if you want to play around with it and see it it might be the right solution for you.

You really do need to keep your browser, email client, and antivirus up to date if you're going to take your computer online. It's a public health issue. Maybe Dario can post a link to the security issues with Windows 10.

I went running from WinXP to Mandrake and Knoppix in '04, before Ubuntu was released, and have never looked back. I stopped working on Windows when Vista came out, with a few exceptions when I see someone I care about in pain.

At this point, I can't even find the start menu or the terminal to shut the fool thing down. I'm glad Winchester is here to help those of you who decide to go with Win 10.

/ dork
Thanks! I will check it out and see if I can make a switch. I do have good virus protection through Xfinity and only spend a few minutes a week online using the computer so I am hoping I can get by for at least a short while till I sort this all out.
 

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So computer, Office software, photo editing software and printer is a hefty amount.
Photo editing software? Do you mean that you're planning to buy Photoshop? If so, I recommend looking into GIMP, instead. It's free, written by a huge number of people (which greatly reduces the likelihood of malware, though bugs are always possible), and as far as I know it has all the functionality of Photoshop.

Margret
 
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