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Microsoft won't be issuing patches and such for Windows 7 after January 14, 2020. This won't kill the operating system, but computers using it will become more and more susceptible to viruses, malware and such as time goes on.

I missed the period of the free upgrades, and now I'm wondering what to do. You go to Microsoft and they say to buy a new computer, but I don't want to give them the satisfaction. I just learned that 39% of PCs use Windows 7, so I guess Microsoft is anticipating a boom in sales coming off of this.

Is anyone else giving this any thought at the moment? Any thoughts on how to prolong Windows 7 or gird a computer against infection?

I don't think you have to worry about viruses and malware, no microsoft update can save you if you click on a bad link or popup, because thats the most likely way your computer gets infected. Just keep using whatever antivirus you currently use and trust. You could also add a password to your computers administrator rights similar to how Linux works, then any virus that tries to change your computer will have to know that password or it will get nowhere.

I'm a Mac person, but I do use Windows from time to time and am somewhat familiar with it. Windows 10 is a pretty solid OS and it has built-in antivirus software that works very well. Windows 7 came out in 2009, so 10 years is a long time in the computer world. Is your computer compatible with Windows 10?

I understand the resistance to upgrading to a newer OS. On the Mac side, the company relentlessly pushes "features" that don't interest me. The latest OS Catalina promises to kill several 32-bit apps that I use on a regular basis. Eventually I'll have to make the jump, but I'll stick with Mojave for now.

If you don't want to "give Microsoft the satisfaction" by upgrading the OS or buying a new computer with Win 10, you don't have many options.

• If keeping current computer, convert to Linux OS and applications. Start with dual-boot installation, i.e. boot either Win 7 or Linux.
• If that's too technical, then at least don't run Win 7 in administrator mode as BWM stated. Also use anti-virus and anti-malware software. Have multiple back ups of your files. But as you mentioned, you'll be at increasing risk as time goes on as the foundation weakens.
• If you're open to a new computer, consider Chromebook or Apple for an OS other than Microsoft.
• Good luck.

The idea that windows 7 will become a security risk is a myth! the only thing that will happen is it will become incompatible with newer apps.
If you're still using windows 7 you likely aren't a twenty something with an always new phone running a couple dozen different apps, your probably like me, someone who uses a desktop or laptop to browse websites, do banking, pay bills and buy things. And windows 7 will continue to work perfectly for that, microsoft will try and scare you into upgrading, but windows 10 aint that good, iv'e spent hours setting it up the way I like it, only to have an update reset everything back to the way microsoft think it should be. And the updates are super intrusive, when you turn your computer on it's because you want to use it! Not get a message reading “please wait while we get everything ready for you” “installing updates 1 of 1000” and this can go on for anywhere from two minutes to an hour or more. I don't mean to sound like a Linux saleman, (linux is free by the way) but with Linux updates at least the user gets to choose when to install them, they can be downloaded and installed in the background while you continue doing whatever you planned to do, or you can choose not to take them at all.
Microsoft, like Google are mainly intertested in gathering as much information about you as they can for marketing and advertising purposes, and this I suspect is the main reason microsoft wants windows 7 users to upgrade, so that when they pull the plug they won't lose access to all that valuable data.

I use a couple of refurbished PCs, one for online work, one for offline. I pay $75 for them. They're both Windows 7. The man who puts them together said I should get a new hard drive loaded with Windows 10, so I'll do that. $25, easy to install. It'll be there if I need it.

I opted not to upgrade to the free Windows 10 because of all the performance and security issues reported when it first came out. Microsoft said it fixed them, but you know, it's Microsoft. Bill Gates uses his billions to murder and sterilize people, so what's a lie to him? I try to put as little money as possible into his pocket.

I thought about switching to Linux years ago but it looked a bit twitchy to me. Lots of incompatibilities with the programs that the tech giants put out. Just the other day I read that some of Google's new features won't work on Linux. This is intentional on Google's part, so the war against Linux continues.

And that's my story on that. Thank you folks for your input. Any other observations will be welcomed.

PS - I can refer any of you to the PC refurbisher. $75 or so, shipped free from Arizona. Can't beat that. He'll install whatever you want onto the machine at his bench before shipping. I think he gives a year's guarantee. PM me if you want contact info.

Wait!....what?......two PCs $75 and another $25 for a new hard drive with windows 10. Wow what a deal, where did he steal em from.

Windos 10 are much better. All you need for better performance is ssd disc