Exactly as it happened 6 years ago, when the support of Windows XP ended, starting from January 2020 Microsoft ended the support for Windows 7 which is still used by many people on their computers (currently the estimate is 30%).
As explained in another article on what it means and what happens with the end of support for Windows 7, the system does not stop working and will have absolutely no limitations or expiration dates. The problem with ending support is that it will no longer receive security updates. Many can underestimate this aspect by saying that nothing changes much, while in reality, Windows 7 today is in the same situation as Windows XP, that is, that of an old operating system that, over time, will gradually accumulate security holes without patches . So if, for the next few months, there will be no major problems, in the long run the use of Windows 7 on the PC will be increasingly at risk of viruses and malware that cannot be stopped even by the best of antivirus.
This does not mean that you cannot continue to use Windows 7 in 2020 and at least until 2021, only that you need to take some precautions and be a little more careful about what you download, the sites you visit and the programs you use .
First of all, although many aficionados will not agree, the primary advice is to upgrade to Windows 10. While when XP ended you had to pay to switch to Windows 7, in this case it is possible you can switch to Windows 10 free from Windows 7 and 8, without having to pay a new license.
In another article we have therefore seen the guide to install Windows 10 from Windows 7 without losing personal files .
It would therefore be better to install a different program, for example the free version of BitDefender or Kaspersky Free which are definitely the best choices if you don't want to pay anything.
It is also important to have a good malware scan tool to use at least every month, such as MalwareBytes Antimalware and then also install ADWCleaner against spyware and adware .
To have a Sandbox on Windows 7 you need to install the free Sandboxie program, easy to use and without limitations.
Fortunately there are many alternatives, especially Chrome and the new Microsoft Edge which will still be updated and supported with security updates on Windows 7 at least until 2021. Firefox also works in Windows 7, but Mozilla has not yet said how long it will be supported. .
Keep in mind that as the operating system no longer receives security updates, having an updated web browser is of paramount importance in defending against online threats.
As for the system settings, the tips to protect your Windows 7 PC are the same as always: avoid clicking suspicious links, do not open spam links received via email, leave important security features such as User Account Control and Windows enabled Firewall.
Also read the guide to protect Windows administrator and guest accounts to access the computer, in order to completely exclude the risk that some program may acquire administrator rights and cause damage.
If it bothers you, you can also hide the end of support message forever in Windows 7.
Particular attention must be paid to checking programs that have access to the internet (such as the Torrent client or chat programs and Email clients) and those which are historically more vulnerable to attacks such as Java, Adobe Flash, Adobe Reader and QuickTime.
Finally, I remember that for companies the discussion about the term Windows 7 support is very different because they can still choose to pay for security updates. This option is not available for home computers and only applies to Windows 7 Enterprise or Windows 7 Professional.
As explained in another article on what it means and what happens with the end of support for Windows 7, the system does not stop working and will have absolutely no limitations or expiration dates. The problem with ending support is that it will no longer receive security updates. Many can underestimate this aspect by saying that nothing changes much, while in reality, Windows 7 today is in the same situation as Windows XP, that is, that of an old operating system that, over time, will gradually accumulate security holes without patches . So if, for the next few months, there will be no major problems, in the long run the use of Windows 7 on the PC will be increasingly at risk of viruses and malware that cannot be stopped even by the best of antivirus.
This does not mean that you cannot continue to use Windows 7 in 2020 and at least until 2021, only that you need to take some precautions and be a little more careful about what you download, the sites you visit and the programs you use .
First of all, although many aficionados will not agree, the primary advice is to upgrade to Windows 10. While when XP ended you had to pay to switch to Windows 7, in this case it is possible you can switch to Windows 10 free from Windows 7 and 8, without having to pay a new license.
In another article we have therefore seen the guide to install Windows 10 from Windows 7 without losing personal files .
Security programs for Windows 7 from 2020
Those who use the Microsoft Security Essentials or MSE antivirus as a Windows 7 antivirus would do well to remove it and install another one that will surely support Windows 7. Although Microsoft has announced that its antivirus for Windows 7 will continue to protect the computer until 2023, support for MSE has also been terminated, which will therefore not be more updated as a program and will become, over time, an obsolete antivirus.It would therefore be better to install a different program, for example the free version of BitDefender or Kaspersky Free which are definitely the best choices if you don't want to pay anything.
It is also important to have a good malware scan tool to use at least every month, such as MalwareBytes Antimalware and then also install ADWCleaner against spyware and adware .
Install a sandbox
Another absolutely recommended security program to use since 2020 in Windows 7 is the one that activates the Sandbox in which to run unknown programs or those that may be at risk. The Sandbox (which is an integrated feature in Windows 10), serves to isolate the execution of software so that, even if it were the worst of malware, it cannot harm the operating system.To have a Sandbox on Windows 7 you need to install the free Sandboxie program, easy to use and without limitations.
Browser to use in Windows 7 to surf the internet
To visit websites from a Windows 7 PC, it is imperative and mandatory to no longer use Internet Explorer as a browser, whose support has ended and which by 2020 will be vulnerable to any site with malware.Fortunately there are many alternatives, especially Chrome and the new Microsoft Edge which will still be updated and supported with security updates on Windows 7 at least until 2021. Firefox also works in Windows 7, but Mozilla has not yet said how long it will be supported. .
Keep in mind that as the operating system no longer receives security updates, having an updated web browser is of paramount importance in defending against online threats.
Protect Windows 7 settings
Those who want to continue using Windows 7 in 2020 and beyond must make sure, first of all, that the system is updated with all the latest patches. By going to Windows Update you can do this check and, if necessary, download the latest updates. Also leave the Windows Update service active and automatic because Microsoft could release particularly important updates for Windows 7 even after the end of the support, just like it happened for Windows XP. You also need to keep an eye on official Microsoft sources or specialized blogs in the event that an important security update is released to be downloaded manually, which happened in 2019 for Windows XP.As for the system settings, the tips to protect your Windows 7 PC are the same as always: avoid clicking suspicious links, do not open spam links received via email, leave important security features such as User Account Control and Windows enabled Firewall.
Also read the guide to protect Windows administrator and guest accounts to access the computer, in order to completely exclude the risk that some program may acquire administrator rights and cause damage.
If it bothers you, you can also hide the end of support message forever in Windows 7.
Remove or update installed programs
To use Windows 7 from 2020 onwards it is important to keep only supported and updated programs . Consequently, it is better to go and see the list of programs installed on the PC (from the Control Panel) to remove all the old ones that have not been updated for some time. For the programs that are used the most, you have to go and look for the new versions on the various official sites. A tool to download Automatic updates of programs and software installed on your PC may then come in handy.Particular attention must be paid to checking programs that have access to the internet (such as the Torrent client or chat programs and Email clients) and those which are historically more vulnerable to attacks such as Java, Adobe Flash, Adobe Reader and QuickTime.
In conclusion
Using Windows 7 in 2020 is also an absolutely legitimate choice, but one that must not be perpetuated for too long. Personally I believe that, at most, it can be used without major problems even for a year, but going further (and above all continuing to use Windows 7 even when Chrome and Firefox no longer support it) will absolutely mean challenging your luck. There are no alarms, the important thing is to know that Windows 7 will become more dangerous over time due to the security bugs that will be discovered and incorrect.Finally, I remember that for companies the discussion about the term Windows 7 support is very different because they can still choose to pay for security updates. This option is not available for home computers and only applies to Windows 7 Enterprise or Windows 7 Professional.
