Windows 7 Support

[derekpara]

I understand that support is being stopped for Windows 7 in a day or two and users are being advised to install W10 to prevent scammers gaining access to financial and other information.

Is W10 easy to install ? How much does it cost ?

I welcome your guidance on this, folks.


Cheers.


D

[Togo]

Firstly you need to check whether your system is suitable. Unless you have already done so, as microsoft were offering to check your system when they were offering the upgrade.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4028142/windows-10-system-requirements

[Togo]

If microsoft are offering a free upgrade to w10 I would take it Derek. Although the free upgrade is period is "officially" over you can still manage to upgrade to 10. It may be worth making sure that you have the original w7 system key no (I think it is a 16 letters/numbers ID.) before you start in case you are asked for it. It may be written on a sticker on your pc/laptop or with the original paperwork or w7 installation disc.

[Togo]

Another thing to consider if you manage to get a w10 online upgrade. Is your internet capped and is it fully reliable. If it is capped you may be better turning off the cap, if you can, whilst the upgrade is running. It is a big info package and can take a while, depending on the net speed and system ability.

[Togo]

This may help Derek.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10

[derekpara]

Thanks Togo. Some of that is above my head and I can't find the W7 system key, but I think I've got all the requirements to install W10; my system is:
W7 Pro. 3.10 Gightz intel core i5 -3740
64 Bit ready - multi-core (4)
491-40 Gig capacity with 300 Gig free.

Does that sound ok ?

The free W10 offer has been withdrawn and I'm not confident enough to get an upgrade on line.

The PC is over 5 years old so I might think about replacing new with W10 already installed although I will be asking for advice on transferring all my files etc.

Chris ( Buenchico) recommends a company selling good refurbished pc's but I've forgotten who they are. Are you there, Chris ?

Thanks again Togo.

D

[bhg481]

I think Chris also recommends leaving well alone, as I shall be doing. You should have no security problems but might find that some of your hardware and software wll no longer work. I lost a perfectly good laserjet printer when I upgraded Windows as no drivers were available for the new OS A friend updated his computer to W10 and not only lost an expensive piece of software but found that he didn't like the newer version which he had to buy.

[Togo]

Your system looks fine Derek. If you open the link that I posted at 17.27 it gives you the option to install W10. You need no tech skills to do this just a bit of patience. Why in gods name would you buy somebody else's old gear? Plus the upgrade transfers your "old files" to a new and future proofed system. I suspect that in the coming weeks that there will be more and more posters, who put off the inevitable by listening to the luddites, who will be asking similar questions. Do a back up(either to an external device or the cloud) and do the upgrade. Once you have done it Windows gives you a walk through tutorial and there are many on here who can give W10 advice and tips.

[Togo]

//I lost a perfectly good laserjet printer when I upgraded Windows as no drivers were available for the new OS A friend updated his computer to W10 and not only lost an expensive piece of software //

That is what happens when you purchase products from suppliers that have no commitment to their customers future requirements. It is not Microsoft's responsibility to provide drivers or back up for products that latch onto their operating system as a parasitic supplier of "products". Why not name and shame the companies that have not kept up with modern technology instead of blaming Microsoft for what is someone else's slack practice? Just try strapping third party software onto an apple system and see where it goes.

[derekpara]

Thanks again, Togo, and you too, bhg.

Cheers.

D

[bhg481]

That's an interesting point of view, Togo. Manufacturers of hardware for use with computers, such as Epson, which provide driver updates and support for a dozen years or so, until they think that their product has reached its sell-by date, are parasites and need "naming and shaming", whereas a company, such as Microsoft, which sells you an operating system full of security holes and then, just 3 or 4 years later, decides it will stop bothering to fix it and suggest that you might have to buy an upgraded computer in order to use their new updated OS, are wonderful.

[Togo]

//just 3 or 4 years later, decides it will stop bothering to fix it //

Windows 7 was launched in 2009. Hardly 3 years ago then. You may have noticed that huge technological leaps are made on an almost daily basis, particularly in the computing industry. Now these advances render a lot of previously adequate systems and processes obsolete. If not obsolete then downright archaic and vulnerable as people(particularly the criminals) adopt the faster more powerful technologies. Computers are going to be evolving fast for many more years and you are liable to find that the people who design and provide operating systems have to design better tools to take advantage of the newer hardware. I am pretty sure you would find a way to winge about it if they didn't. Microsoft supply a vast array of extensions and apps that have their support and recommendation. They even allow people to use their system to operate equipment that has no such endorsement. When you say security holes, I take it you mean the new and exciting viruses and malware developed by the bad guys to take advantage of the outdated systems that you appear to approve of. Just try bolting third party stuff onto an apple system and see where it gets you. If Microsoft does not meet with your approval I can't understand why you use it. Or have you fallen into the "cool to criticise Microsoft" camp, thinking that it somehow means that you are clever?
Thank you Derek. If you are biting the bullet good luck.

[bhg481]

It's only 3 or 4 years since the only Microsoft OS available was W7. That's why I claim that they have abandoned purchasers after such a short time. Incidentally, I am not one of the "Cool to criticise Microsoft" brigade; I have no problem with their OS and shall continue to use W7. My objection is to them making many people think a 4 year-old computer is useless because they no longer support W7 and their replacement system needs a bigger machine.

[CrapAtCryptics]

Two things I suggest having done many Win 10 upgrades - although Windows does save your files it doesnt always do a 100% job so backup everything that is important to you first. Take a little time after you have installed to wander through the settings to get it jus as you wish. The compatibility wizard is quite good for resurrecting older programs. Good luck.

[Togo]

//It's only 3 or 4 years since the only Microsoft OS available was W7.//

No it isn't. Stop making it up to support a flawed point.
W7 was launched 2009, W8 was launched 2012, W8.1 was launched 2013. 3/4 years ago all those systems were available and running. So was XP which was launched in 2001. Strewth that make me feel old. I suspect that time is passing faster than you realise.

[derekpara]

Thank you all once again for a very interesting, informative and helpful response, you too, CAT.


D

[bhg481]

OK, let me rephrase that - W7 was the only system available to sensible users; W8/8.1 had bad reputations and were clearly doomed and XP was also so old that it clearly had no future.
In any case, we've drifted away from my original post which was pointing out a reason for being wary about updating an OS ie, some hardware and software may cease to work. It matters not one jot whether it is Microsoft's fault or the fault of other manufactuers; it is a real possibility and should be taken into account.