Skip to main content

Sticking with Windows 7? Make sure you do these 5 things first

Windows 7 wallpaper full version.
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Windows 7 was released back in 2009. That’s seven years ago, and a lot has changed in the tech world since then. Even so, Windows 7 remains the most popular desktop operating system on the planet. This in spite of Microsoft’s insistence that users upgrade to Windows 10.

It seems that many of you want to keep using Windows 7, and, to be fair, there are all sorts of reasons that might be the case. Maybe a piece of hardware you need won’t work with new operating system, or perhaps you’d rather not go through the upgrade process. Or maybe you tried Windows 10 and didn’t like it.

Whatever your reason, you need to keep your security in mind if you’re sticking with Windows 7. Here are a few tips for anyone who hopes to stick with Microsoft’s most popular operating system.

Know your end-of-support dates

If you’re going to keep using Windows 7, you need to know how long Microsoft will be offering support. The terms used to explain this can be a little confusing, so here’s a quick overview.

  • Mainstream support for Windows 7 ended on January 13, 2015. This means that no new Service Packs are coming for Windows 7, and no new features will be added to the operating system. It does not, however, mean that Microsoft is no longer patching the operating system.
  • Extended support is still ongoing until January 14, 2020. That’s the date Microsoft will stop issuing new security updates for Windows 7.

This means it’s safe to keep using Windows 7 until 2020, so long as you install all updates. After that point, any and all zero-day exploits will never be patched on your machine, meaning would-be attackers can easily compromise the system using any number of well-documented exploits.

Having said that, your computer will keep working. No one is going to force you to stop using Windows 7. You’ll just be more vulnerable to attackers and cybercriminals.

Update fresh installs after a quick installation

Sometimes installing Windows is the best way to speed up an older computer, but if you’re installing a clean copy of Windows 7, well, expect a laundry list of updates. There hasn’t been a service pack for Windows 7 since 2011, meaning all the updates after that point need to be downloaded, one-at-a-time, through Windows Update.

Win7SP1-WU
Image used with permission by copyright holder

At least, that was the case until April. Microsoft now offers a convenience rollup for Windows 7 SP1, which includes all Windows 7 updates going through April 2016.

This means that, if you’re installing a fresh copy of Windows 7, you can install all patches relatively quickly. You just need to:

It’s not exactly straightforward, but compared to waiting for hundreds of individual updates to install, it’s a huge time saver.

Install security updates, without installing Windows 10

Some dedicated Windows 7 users will be hesitant to install updates, and for good reason. More than a few users have, one way or another, ended up with Windows 10 against their will. A lot of digital ink has been spilled as to why, but we’re mostly interested in solutions today. And avoiding Windows Update entirely is not a solution. You need those security updates to keep your personal information secure.

gwx-control-panel
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you’re truly paranoid about accidentally installing Windows 10, check out our guide to avoiding the Windows 10 upgrade. It shows you how GWX Control Panel can stop Windows 10 from showing up in your system tray, or Windows Update, allowing you to keep Microsoft’s latest operating system off your computer.

This won’t be necessary in the long term, however. The nagging upgrade prompts will stop after July 29, 2016, when Windows 10 ceases to be a free upgrade for Windows 7 users.

Stop using Internet Explorer

Internet-Explorer
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Internet Explorer 11 is the last version of Microsoft’s long-running default browser for Windows, and remains the only version of Internet Explorer that still receives security updates. Windows 10 users are encouraged to use Microsoft Edge, a brand new browser, instead of Internet Explorer. But Edge is not available for Windows 7.

Microsoft says they will provided security updates for Internet Explorer 11 so long as the operating system it’s running on is still supported. That means that, come 2020, Microsoft will stop offering security updates for Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 7 computers. Using an unsupported operating system is troublesome, but using an unsupported browser is even worse. If you plan on using Windows 7 past its expiration date, consider using a browser besides the default.

Google’s Chrome and Mozilla’s Firefox are both solid options for Windows 7 users. Of course, there’s no guarantee these browsers will offer Windows 7 support after 2020, but at least you’ll keep getting new features and updates in the meantime.

Add a few Windows 10 features to Windows 7

If you like Windows 7, and don’t plan to switch, you’re probably not interested in the new features offered in Windows 10. But, if you’re curious, there are a few things you can try out without upgrading.

  • Cortana, Microsoft’s virtual assistant, isn’t available for Windows 7. Install Google Chrome, however, and you can use a similar feature at Google.com by tapping the microphone icon on the Google Homepage. Ask Google anything, and you’ll get answers.
  • Virtual desktops have long been a mainstay on Linux and Mac machines, allowing users to sort windows into separate workspaces. Windows 10 is the first Microsoft operating system to offer this handy feature. If you want something similar on Windows 7, try out DexPot or VirtuaWin, free programs that bring multiple desktops to Windows 7.
  • Windows 10 offers an improved command prompt, adding much-needed features like keyboard shortcuts. If you want this and other features on Windows 7, check out ConEmu, a third-party command prompt that offers all sorts of features.
Justin Pot
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Justin's always had a passion for trying out new software, asking questions, and explaining things – tech journalism is the…
7 things you didn’t know you could do in Windows 10
microsoft surface go pro 7 deals amazon best buy fathers day sale 2020 review feature 768x479 c

Windows 10 is ubiquitous. Many of us depend on it every day for both work and play. But there are a few features right under your nose in Windows that you might not be aware of.

Here are seven things that you didn't know you could do in Windows 10 that might make your life a little easier.
Use your Windows 10 laptop or tablet as a second monitor

Read more
Windows Update not working for your latest upgrade? Here’s how to fix it
Windows 10 Surface Pro 4 stock photo

Windows Update is sometimes underestimated as a cornerstone of your system's integrity and security. Not only does it keep your PC healthy and current, but it also delivers new features from time to time to keep the platform fresh and relevant. However, Microsoft's updates don't always roll out as smoothly as the company intends.

Here, we'll show you how to get Windows Update working again when it fails and what to do if it looks like an update is causing problems.
Manage automatic updates
You can't permanently turn off automatic updates in Windows 10, but you can manage when your machine installs an update and reboots your PC. That way, you can at least make sure your machine doesn't restart during your workday or at an inconvenient time.
Change your active hours
Step 1: Click on the Notifications icon on the taskbar followed by the All Settings tile in the Action Center.

Read more
Windows 10’s Storage menu makes managing your hard drive a cinch
shaky internet have someone else upload your files to googles cloud storage platform harddriveworld1

Is your computer sluggish, taking ages to respond to a simple request? Have you run your antivirus software to ensure that your machine is clean of malware? In that case, it might be that your hard drive is full of little-used programs and years-old files, taking up space and slowing down Windows 10's performance while contributing nothing.
Read on to learn more about how Windows 10 Storage menu and Storage Sense can help you trim the dead weight from your hard drive and improve system efficiency.

What is the Windows 10 Storage menu?
Designed to be a hub connecting all your data management features, the Windows 10 Storage menu has many features allowing you to review and alter files quickly and programs to reorganize and open up additional space. While this feature is extremely convenient, it also means you can mess up or lose your data very easily if you don’t know what you are doing. Learn about Windows 10 storage first (don’t worry, it’s easier than it looks). We’ll start with the most basic of steps, namely where to find Storage in Windows 10.

Read more