I don't use an operating system.
I don't use an operating system.
I’m glad you reached out. I use Windows 7 mainly because it supports older software. Even though these programs may technically run on newer systems like 10 or 11, they often fail. Windows 7 usually functions smoothly without much effort, which is ideal for my situation. For security, I’ve installed 0patch and Microsoft security essentials. Also, it’s worth noting that Microsoft security essentials continue to receive updates despite being discontinued.
The update concludes in 2023. Details available at the Microsoft support page.
Big idea. There could be viable options, such as reputable third-party services that maintain support, though they might come with risks. I’m not sure if this applies, but I personally use Kaspersky for my Windows setups—it performs better than Windows Defender in my experience and the demos I’ve seen. That said, it doesn’t fully resolve the issue of outdated system updates. For software, Linux generally offers a solid choice, particularly on older hardware. I’d suggest reliable distros like MX Linux or Debian Mint, both built on the latest Debian releases and known for stability compared to Ubuntu-based systems. After initial setup—simple enough—adjusting the system is straightforward via GUI or terminal commands (apt updates work well). To keep things running smoothly, install essentials like wine and winetricks using terminal commands: “sudo apt update” followed by “sudo apt upgrade.” You can also combine them with “sudo apt update -y && sudo apt upgrade -y” for efficiency. For apps, only a few must-haves remain post-install: wine and winetricks, which you can add via their respective names in the terminal. Beyond official sources, appimages, flatpaks, and snaps provide strong support, and wine can fill any gaps depending on your needs. Some alternatives exist for specific tools—Krita works well for photo editing, while Kdenlive is a solid video editor.
I understand the security is less robust, even with a separate network and strict blacklist. However, for my situation it makes sense to accept the trade-off. Linux isn’t ideal for me, though I appreciate its usefulness (it’s been used with Red Hat and others). I’m considering installing Mint on other devices.