Windows 7 first saw the light of day in 2009, and it has been receiving all kinds of maintenance updates until January of this year. However, since then, the operating system has been abandoned, and all the security flaws and errors that may appear will remain there forever, endangering the safety of users. If we want to navigate safely, it is vital to use an updated and supported operating system. Especially considering that we can go from Windows 7 to Windows 10 for free. However, this is not always possible, and there are situations when we cannot afford to switch operating systems.
It is true that most users, especially domestic users, will not have problems when using Windows 10. The requirements are the same as those of its predecessor, and it also has advanced security measures that will allow us be protected at all times. All the programs, and games, that work in a Windows 7 will do it without problems in Windows 8 or in Windows 10. However, what reasons can make us stay in this operating system without support?
Using very specific software that only works on Windows 7
Although the truth is that almost 100% of the programs and games that work in 7 will also work in Windows 10, there may be very specific cases in which some program does not work. Sometimes this compatibility problem can be solved by including the necessary Windows 7 libraries inside the program folder. But, there are times when not.
This is very common, especially when using business software. The programs designed for businesses are designed to work on specific versions of Windows. Therefore, if we change the operating system they will not work properly. And also, many times it is even very difficult to update them so that they can work, for example, in Windows 10.
We value our privacy: No! to Windows 10
One of the biggest problems with Windows 10 is your privacy. Specifically the absence of this. The Microsoft operating system is characterized above all by sharing a large amount of user data with Microsoft, which is known as telemetry. Although it is true that this telemetry has been reduced considerably since the launch of Windows 10 in 2015, and that users now have a lot of control over our data, the privacy that 10 offers is light years away from what we can achieve with Windows 7.
Users who value their privacy often avoid this operating system at all costs. And this is one of the reasons why Windows 7 continues to have a large market share despite being an unsupported system.
We don’t want, or can’t afford, upgrade issues
Not having updates is a problem, since security problems that may appear on the PC are not solved. However, considering what Windows updates look like, this can also be an advantage. Not having updates ensures that our Windows is not going to break, or start to malfunction, due to a bad patch. Therefore, we will have our operating system always ready.
If we want a security plus, there are tools, such as ” 0patch “, that allow us to patch Windows vulnerabilities directly from RAM, being able to use Windows 7 safely, and without vulnerabilities, despite not having support.
We are old-fashioned users: we like the classic
Another of the most common reasons why 7 is still a widely used system is because there are many users who are afraid of change. Although both systems are broadly the same, there are many elements that change. The Aero theme is not what it used to be, and although Modern UI with Fluent Design is taking shape, it is still far from offering the 7 experience. Also, the start menu is different, and the Control Panel is about to disappear, giving way to the Settings menu.
All of these changes, while well-intentioned and intended to improve Windows, are not liked by many users. And, therefore, they refuse to update.
Pay for Windows 7 Extended Support
If we want to be able to continue using Windows 7 safely, there is a legal option to do so: pay for extended support. Although this operating system has reached the end of its life cycle, Microsoft still offers updates, for a fee, for companies that need to continue using this system for any of the above reasons. Therefore, if you do not mind spending a large sum of money, you can receive these official updates.
These updates will last for 3 years, and each year that passes will be more expensive than the previous one. Starting in 2023, Windows 7 will also reach the end of paid support and therefore will no longer have official support altogether. Of course, tools like the aforementioned “0patch” will continue to offer basic protection against possible vulnerabilities.