Windows 7 vs Windows 10??

[Mr. Scram]

So am I.
The only problem with that is that it may have consequences not just for you, but for others as well. An "infected" OS can for instance in turn become part of a virus deployment system.
If you're computer-savvy enough, it's usually not a problem at all. Your probability of getting infected is already pretty low, and if it ever happens, you'll usually quickly notice it and take the required actions.
For the average joe, not so much, and their computer could run infected for days or weeks before they even start noticing there is a problem, and could have participated in deploying the virus...

Don't waste your breath. There's a few people on here who will insist they don't need an updated OS no matter how often their position has been debunked with sources and expert opinions. They'll just vanish only to pop up in another thread spouting the same bunk again. It would be funny if it wasn't harmful advice that some novice might take seriously.

[Nusa]

Advocating ANY extreme (e.g. that everyone must use the same solution) is probably the most incorrect answer being given here.

Real advice acknowledges that different actions, or lack of actions, are correct in for some people, and wrong for other people. Decisions should be decided based on the circumstances, abilities, and desires of the individual or group, not by listening to whoever yells loudest on an internet forum.

[Mr. Scram]

Advocating ANY extreme (e.g. that everyone must use the same solution) is probably the most incorrect answer being given here.

Real advice acknowledges that different actions, or lack of actions, are correct in for some people, and wrong for other people. Decisions should be decided based on the circumstances, abilities, and desires of the individual or group, not by listening to whoever yells loudest on an internet forum.

Those kinds of nuances have been discussed before too and while there are a few exceptions with specific conditions those don't tend to apply to general or even advanced home users. It seems to be a case of survivorship bias where anecdotal evidence is held in higher regard than industry sources or expert opinion. Arguments are waved away by positing people drank the cool-aid or some other conspiracy type reasoning.

[Mechatrommer]

Advocating ANY extreme (e.g. that everyone must use the same solution) is probably the most incorrect answer being given here.

Real advice acknowledges that different actions, or lack of actions, are correct in for some people, and wrong for other people. Decisions should be decided based on the circumstances, abilities, and desires of the individual or group, not by listening to whoever yells loudest on an internet forum.

Don't waste your breath. There's a few people on here who will insist they MUST need an updated OS no matter how often their position has been debunked with sources and expert opinions. They'll just vanish only to pop up in another thread spouting the same bunk again. It would be funny if it wasn't harmful advice that some novice might take seriously... giving advice that by having updated OS then you are safe, is just as a dangerous advice. cheers.

[Mr. Scram]

Don't waste your breath. There's a few people on here who will insist they MUST need an updated OS no matter how often their position has been debunked with sources and expert opinions. They'll just vanish only to pop up in another thread spouting the same bunk again. It would be funny if it wasn't harmful advice that some novice might take seriously... giving advice that by having updated OS then you are safe, is just as a dangerous advice. cheers.

Cute, but almost completely untrue.

[nigelwright7557]

I am formatting my computer, I am struggling to decide on which windows to install.
Windows 10 does not ask the user whether to install updates or not.Let me know your views on which to choose a version of the window.

I have been using Win10 since it came out.
It was a bit unstable and buggy to start with but improved as time went on.
The problem with older OS is security updates no longer being supplied and/or support tailing off.

You can now hold off updates for a while in update settings.
I trust Win10 now and while Microchip MPLAB can tip it over the edge sometimes, everything else seems stable.

[Pete66]

I use both.  I use Windows 10 at work.  My main PC at home is windows 7. 
Windows 7 is what I am sticking with at home mainly because I don't like the way Microsoft is collecting data in Windows 10.

[Mechatrommer]

I am formatting my computer, I am struggling to decide on which windows to install.
Windows 10 does not ask the user whether to install updates or not.Let me know your views on which to choose a version of the window.

I have been using Win10 since it came out.
It was a bit unstable and buggy to start with but improved as time went on.
The problem with older OS is security updates no longer being supplied and/or support tailing off.

You can now hold off updates for a while in update settings.
I trust Win10 now and while Microchip MPLAB can tip it over the edge sometimes, everything else seems stable.

there are 2 schools of people, one is people who want to be top notched and ahead of everything, among them will give differing reasons, some believe because it is the safest. another school is people who prefer stability, nevermind safety, there's workaround for that. consider me the later. thats why i'm preparing the last install of the stable win7 to be ready for the end of the world. Cheers.

[dzseki]

I use both.  I use Windows 10 at work.  My main PC at home is windows 7. 
Windows 7 is what I am sticking with at home mainly because I don't like the way Microsoft is collecting data in Windows 10.

After ending the support, you'll not like the way how others will collect your data in Windows 7, at least this is what the wise men say...

[Mechatrommer]

The prophet once said, there will be time when a fool is considered wise, and wise man is considered a fool.

Ps: with a correct bragging style and correct flag you can win, regardless of what actual knowledge is inside or what the actual motive. IT personnels will have a much easier job if you connect to their server with the latest OS just to cover their incompetence.

Btw if you set your OS correctly and installed appropriate guard sw, nobody is collecting your data, even in XP. Dont store your sensitive and family data in digital form. Yet encryption tech is not bound to certain OS, so you can install the latest tool if you have to. You are mocked as old age leftover community, well new tech to solve problems actually bring another problems with it.. the new tech geeks want less work and less memorizing things, being dependent to the tech. Well, as a 'wise' man here said, there is no security patch to ignorance.

[Mr. Scram]

there are 2 schools of people, one is people who want to be top notched and ahead of everything, among them will give differing reasons, some believe because it is the safest. another school is people who prefer stability, nevermind safety, there's workaround for that. consider me the later. thats why i'm preparing the last install of the stable win7 to be ready for the end of the world. Cheers.

Stability is a valid argument when you properly isolate the computer from any networks and keep it in quarantine. Computers used with medical equipment would fall into this category. If you use it as a daily driver stability and safety are synonymous. An infected computer isn't stable or predictable by definition.

[Mr. Scram]

The prophet once said, there will be time when a fool is considered wise, and wise man is considered a fool.

Ps: with a correct bragging style and correct flag you can win, regardless of what actual knowledge is inside or what the actual motive. IT personnels will have a much easier job if you connect to their server with the latest OS just to cover their incompetence.

Btw if you set your OS correctly and installed appropriate guard sw, nobody is collecting your data, even in XP. Dont store your sensitive and family data in digital form. Yet encryption tech is not bound to certain OS, so you can install the latest tool if you have to. You are mocked as old age leftover community, well new tech to solve problems actually bring another problems with it.. the new tech geeks want less work and less memorizing things, being dependent to the tech. Well, as a 'wise' man here said, there is no security patch to ignorance.

"Guard software" depends on the integrity of the OS. Even just using the computer to check your mail means the system and any successful attacker has access to a huge amount of potentially sensitive information. There is no patch for ignorance indeed.

[beanflying]

Amazed that with Windoze 7 going EOL this is even still debatable for general use cases. The only reason to persist with XP, 7 or shudder 8 would be for reasons of Hardware/Software that simply can't run W10 or  Linux (if you must) current gen (not mentioning Mac as it is a WOFTAM for engineering use  )

Losing the real ports of XP used to be a problem but it is now so far in the past I can't think of anyone I know still running it for regular use. 7 is about toast but maybe for the next year or two it will remain possible to use it but after that apps will start leaving it behind. Likewise you will really need a strong and unfixable hardware/software reason to stay.

8 - Sucked from new and Sucked harder in its short life and if you are still using it  and are you really that stupid.

For the sake of a cheap licence otherwise there is no other VALID reason to stay on 7 other than having your head placed........

That said last month I removed from use may last 7 device as it wouldn't handle the upgrade to 10 so I decided to move on hardware wise. https://www.scdkey.com/microsoft-windows-10-pro-oem-cd-key-global_1227-20.html with a voucher 'td20' from Techdeals is about the best deal going.

Bye Bye 7 you weren't the worst Windoze.

[Black Phoenix]

Don't waste your breath. There's a few people on here who will insist they don't need an updated OS no matter how often their position has been debunked with sources and expert opinions. They'll just vanish only to pop up in another thread spouting the same bunk again. It would be funny if it wasn't harmful advice that some novice might take seriously.

Don't waste your breath. There's a few people on here who will insist they MUST need an updated OS no matter how often their position has been debunked with sources and expert opinions. They'll just vanish only to pop up in another thread spouting the same bunk again. It would be funny if it wasn't harmful advice that some novice might take seriously... giving advice that by having updated OS then you are safe, is just as a dangerous advice. cheers.

I know a not of cases where the upgrade for a different version is practically impossible:

 - CNC machines (some older models when I worked with a Japanese company doing electric and electronic maintenance were machines that used specific images of Windows 95/98. When I left the company they were starting to sell machines with Windows XP installed);
 - Lots of Chinese manufactures have equipment that simply don't have software made to work with newer versions of operative systems, and they are not going to get an upgrade, only if you buy the newer model of the machine;
 - 2G and 3G monitoring and configuration equipment, specially the ones from Nokia Siemens Networks. Their equipments were being programmed and managed via VMs with Windows XP and 2003 installed, no chance to update the software to monitor alarms or input configuration or change firmwares, specially the ones based in the DX200, IPA2800, NT HLR and  SURPASS hiS 700 - STP; The  Open Mobile Softswitch - COTS ATCA MSS and Open Multimedia Gateway - COTS ATCA MGW they were based in Linux, but were under final development and when they were deployed for testing I wasn't anymore working there. The Geoprobe ones from Tektronics were running in machines powered by Solaris:
 - I know some accountants in Portugal that use a version of an accounting software that runs on DOS. Yes you have to have a computer who supports DOS or Windows 98 max to run it. And that includes old matrix printers too (I hate that sun of a guns... Yes they are very effective for the job in question but Jesus they are loud as hell and a pain in the rear to find parts).
 - and a lot more...

Sometimes is cost forbidden or even not having a update path in some cases. I always used to think that way until I realized how some hardware are version dependent of old hardware or software, and even some times if it simply works and it's not broken why change for the sake of changing.

Not every company have the luxury of loosing productivity time and/or learning a new tool just for the sake of upgrading.

Could software developed for Linux solve that? Yes It could, that's true.

It's the solution? Yes. It will it change in some sectors and be a great alternative.

It's all in the hands of equipment manufactures for that to happen.

[beanflying]

Yep CNC is one of the few remaining cases for XP. A lot of the cheap CNC routers coming out of China even last year still needed a real port to work as the electronics was cloned from Western boards of 5 years+ ago.

Industrial CNC gear with lifespans in the decades still run XP or earlier due to major costs in upgrades. Other than that CNC via LAN or even USB is now very normal. A mate of mine just went mid five figures to upgrade a big mill.

Still no reason for keeping as a day to day working PC.

[Mr. Scram]

I know a not of cases where the upgrade for a different version is practically impossible:

 - CNC machines (some older models when I worked with a Japanese company doing electric and electronic maintenance were machines that used specific images of Windows 95/98. When I left the company they were starting to sell machines with Windows XP installed);
 - Lots of Chinese manufactures have equipment that simply don't have software made to work with newer versions of operative systems, and they are not going to get an upgrade, only if you buy the newer model of the machine;
 - 2G and 3G monitoring and configuration equipment, specially the ones from Nokia Siemens Networks. Their equipments were being programmed and managed via VMs with Windows XP and 2003 installed, no chance to update the software to monitor alarms or input configuration or change firmwares, specially the ones based in the DX200, IPA2800, NT HLR and  SURPASS hiS 700 - STP; The  Open Mobile Softswitch - COTS ATCA MSS and Open Multimedia Gateway - COTS ATCA MGW they were based in Linux, but were under final development and when they were deployed for testing I wasn't anymore working there. The Geoprobe ones from Tektronics were running in machines powered by Solaris:
 - I know some accountants in Portugal that use a version of an accounting software that runs on DOS. Yes you have to have a computer who supports DOS or Windows 98 max to run it. And that includes old matrix printers too (I hate that sun of a guns... Yes they are very effective for the job in question but Jesus they are loud as hell and a pain in the rear to find parts).
 - and a lot more...

Sometimes is cost forbidden or even not having a update path in some cases. I always used to think that way until I realized how some hardware are version dependent of old hardware or software, and even some times if it simply works and it's not broken why change for the sake of changing.

Not every company have the luxury of loosing productivity time and/or learning a new tool just for the sake of learning.

Could software developed for Linux solve that? Yes It could, that's true.

It's the solution? Yes. It will it change in some sectors and be a great alternative.

It's all in the hands of equipment manufactures for that to happen.

MRI and other hospital equipment are other examples of a specific configuration being supported by the manufacturer and upgrade paths simply not being available. Point is that these systems are both isolated and protected in other ways. They're kept well away from any network. There are examples of where this hasn't been the case and those ended up being rather expensive affairs and downtime of vital equipment.

[Mechatrommer]

CNC machines (some older models when I worked with a Japanese company doing electric and electronic maintenance were machines that used specific images of Windows 95/98. When I left the company they were starting to sell machines with Windows XP installed);

old and used LeCroy GHz DSO like SDA6000/DDA3000/SDA5005 also with XP in it. cant run on Win7 since some hardwares are not detected correctly, some still using 1.44MB diskette drive go figure. one may choose between this used machine and newest OS machine at the same spec except modern, priced 5 to 6 figures, they may suit themselves.

[SiliconWizard]

CNC machines (some older models when I worked with a Japanese company doing electric and electronic maintenance were machines that used specific images of Windows 95/98. When I left the company they were starting to sell machines with Windows XP installed);

old and used LeCroy GHz DSO like SDA6000/DDA3000/SDA5005 also with XP in it. cant run on Win7 since some hardwares are not detected correctly, some still using 1.44MB diskette drive go figure. one may choose between this used machine and newest OS machine at the same spec except modern, priced 5 to 6 figures, they may suit themselves.

Yeah, the TDS5000 series was using Windows 2000. They were basically using a pretty classic PC motherboard inside (like micro-atx or something like that), but all the specific drivers and software was specifically written for Windows 2000 and wouldn't work on any more recent OS version. Updating the Windows 2000 to the latest SP would usually work though IIRC (but trying that would be 100% at your own risk.)

[Mr. Scram]

old and used LeCroy GHz DSO like SDA6000/DDA3000/SDA5005 also with XP in it. cant run on Win7 since some hardwares are not detected correctly, some still using 1.44MB diskette drive go figure. one may choose between this used machine and newest OS machine at the same spec except modern, priced 5 to 6 figures, they may suit themselves.

No one would network those old dinosaurs so that's obviously not what's discussed. Being or acting obtuse doesn't help the discussion.

[Nusa]

Sneaker net. The one network that will never die!

[Mechatrommer]

the OP doesnt mention about networking in the first place  and those old monster centainly can be networked.

[Mr. Scram]

Sneaker net. The one network that will never die!

A Stuxnet type vector where the infection is carried in is always a possibility but those seem to be comparatively rare. When you start swapping media you are definitely more vulnerable than when fully isolated.

[Mr. Scram]

the OP doesnt mention about networking in the first place  and those old monster centainly can be networked.

He was obviously talking about a daily driver. Stop muddying the water already.

[nigelwright7557]

I have been on Win10 since it came out.
It was a bit unstable to start with but seems mostly ok now.
You can put off updates if you like.
I sell software and am shocked by how many people still use XP
You really need an up to date OS with anti virus software if you use the internet.
You can pick up Win10 pro keys for a few GBP on ebay so there is no excuse.

[james_s]

Windows 10 is shit, that's the only excuse I need. I'm not one of those people who rips on something endlessly that I've never tried either, I was forced to use it for nearly 2 years at a former job and I found myself cursing it endlessly on a daily basis, it is the most user-hostile operating system I have ever had the displeasure of touching. So many times I'd walk into a meeting or have some urgent task I needed to do and find that my laptop was insisting on updating and the machine was out of commission for a half hour or more. Yes I know, enterprise gives more control but like many companies out there mine was smallish and too cheap to go that route so we were using Pro. The user interface was hideous, the most fugly, bland thing since Windows 3.0. It had a bunch of useless apps installed that I could not get rid of, at least not without significant difficulty and they would frequently come back like zombies after I had killed them. My settings were constantly getting changed, from the superior 3rd party software I had installed back to the default MS crap. More than once it uninstalled software I had installed because it said it was incompatible, but if I reinstalled it it worked fine. It just felt like it was fighting me every step of the way, which is something a freaking operating system has no business doing.

I've been migrating to Linux for a few years and most of my ancillary machines are running that now so it's the path forward should Win7 ever become non-viable. For now I'm going to stick with 7 on my daily driver though, partly because I actually quite like Win7 and partly because I know it will cause much hand wringing amongst the Chicken Littles who are screaming that the sky is falling and all these dire things are going to happen and everyone is gonna die just like they did back when XP support ended. Well after some 20 years of having various unsupported OS's connected to the internet I'm still waiting for one to get p@wned and it still hasn't happened. Given the amount of grief I've experienced dealing with Win10 I'd still come out ahead if something finally got hacked now.

I've cleaned up many, many infected, malware and virus infested machines for people and the one thing every one of those cases has had in common so far is they became infected by the user installing something, either infected warez, crapware surreptitiously bundled with legitimate software, or they weren't running an ad blocker and fell for one of those fake antivirus popups or email attachments. Many of these were fully patched fully up to date systems but of course you can't patch the user and that is by far the most common attack vector for personal computers. I run an up to date browser, use adblock and noscript religiously, and use some common sense, that has saved me from having any issues with infections. I disabled Windows Update completely years ago when MS started abusing it, incorporating malware tactics to push Windows 10. At this point the cure is truly worse than the disease, but there are of course rabid apologists who will excuse anything and everything that MS does, and some I'm sure are shills who have a vested financial interest in everyone adopting Win10.