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Your Windows 7 PC won't be safe from 2020 onward

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© Microsoft

It seems that all good things must come to an end. One of Microsoft's most successful OS versions - Windows 7, is nearing the end of its life. In one year it will no longer receive support from Microsoft in the form of security patches. In the meantime, the company is encouraging users to upgrade to Windows 10.

Why is end of support a big deal? Of course, your computer won't suddenly stop working, but lack of security patches will make Windows 7 systems much more vulnerable to attack. Newly discovered security flaws will not be patched, making them easy to abuse. It also means that other companies will stop supporting Windows 7 too. The newest version of your favorite software or game might might no longer be available for your current OS. Businesses and governments, however, have the option to purchase extended support contracts for their Windows 7 PCs.

Windows 10
Windows 10 still has a lot of problems. / © NextPit (screenshot)

Yet, if you are dreading upgrading to Windows 10, you are not alone. According to data from StatCounter Global Stats, more than 35% of Windows users are still using Windows 7, as of December 2018. Even Windows XP had less remaining users one year before the end of its life - only around 25%. It's no wonder considering the predecessor and successor of Windows 7 - Vista and Windows 8, were both massive flops.

Windows 10 hasn't made a great case for itself either. Although it was initially well received, the latest Microsoft OS has struggled - there have been multiple bugs, broken updates and most importantly - serious privacy concerns. If you wish to avoid Windows 10 in 2020, but still use Windows and be protected, the only solution is 'upgrading' from Windows 7 to Windows 8. The latter will likely outlive its predecessor by a couple of years.

What do you think? What Windows version are you using and why? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: HowToGeek

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  • 8
    Vijay Jan 16, 2019 Link to comment

    The only constant with Windows has been the steady decline. None of the drivers work properly. If you sort out network drivers, audio drivers gets busted & when you sort that out something else goes bust. In between all this you can hardly use the PC as it becomes very slow. Called the customer care a few days back & it took about 25 Min. to connect & by the he took my email & phone number it got disconnected. No call back & after a few minutes I got an email saying the issue has been resolved. I am currently in the process of switching to Ubuntu.


  • Albin Foro 30
    Albin Foro Jan 15, 2019 Link to comment

    90% of my computing now is on Mint Linux and Android, but I'll likely upgrade a desktop PC from Win 7 to Win 10, as needed. It is the ubiquity of MS Office that mandates having at least one box Windows capable. The rare times I need Office, it's for serious communication or collaboration, about some important commercial or personal matter, and not for wasting time with file compatibility just for the sake of disliking Microsoft or grinning about how powerful Google Docs or LibreOffice is. On that basis, have to be able to sit down to work with Office on Windows.


  • 32
    Deactivated Account Jan 15, 2019 Link to comment

    Window 7 is much better i guess!

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