Windows 7 is still usable, but consider upgrading to Windows 10 for better features and security.
Windows 7 is still usable, but consider upgrading to Windows 10 for better features and security.
I'm part of the W7 Pro group who really enjoy this operating system. A few years back I had to use some sneaky methods to block the mandatory W10 upgrade. Now that I’m building a new machine, I need to stick with W10 to take full advantage of the latest CPU models. It bothers me because of the hidden data tracking; I don’t want my information to be exploited for someone else’s gain. I avoid apps like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any unencrypted messaging tools. I restrict Google’s access to my data (duckduckgo is fine). I’ve been going through many guides on limiting what W10 can collect.
Which version should I choose? I plan to play games and do some work—rendering, Photoshop, architectural design software. I’m also watching movies. My gaming will be in 1440p resolution. I could get a Pro license through my job and would prefer the Pro edition over the Home one. It’s not cheap, but it’s significantly less expensive than the £200 MS version, and even the Home model is a fraction of the price compared to the £119 MS. Installing it feels unpleasant—it really bothers me.
W7 is set to end in January, and I’ll need ten units for gaming. Unless I dual boot with a Linux distribution and learn how, I don’t see much flexibility. I already have my flash drive prepared. I just need to inform my team which license I want by tomorrow or risk waiting until Wednesday. With the parts arriving tomorrow, I’d like to assemble and install them during my three days off.
Absolutely avoid halting the download of updates, no matter which version you receive.
In short, I can access Pro for £50 and a home setup for £35 via a program my job supports. Since MS requires £119 and £219 in the UK, I can afford Pro while still saving compared to regular home costs. I likely don’t need everything, but a few features would be essential. I really appreciated some of the extras in W7 Pro, especially for managing my home network and family systems. So, I’d choose Pro whenever possible.
It's not about stopping the updates altogether, but controlling when they happen. I don't want my systems to restart and refresh without my permission. Halting tasks in progress can waste valuable time and resources. I prefer updates at shutdown instead. While keeping my systems secure is important, helping friends who dislike constant changes is frustrating. Many of them were forced into upgrades without consent, and most wish they hadn't agreed. It's strange how Microsoft pushed people to switch from alternative sources to paying versions like Vista and W7, then seems determined to bring them back to other options. Anyway, let's talk about this. Thanks for the suggestions!
You can define active periods when the system won’t shut down automatically for updates. It will notify you when an update is needed, giving you time to pick a convenient date and time—such as one or two weeks ahead. This feature works without needing any Pro version. It also keeps your settings intact and avoids installing any additional programs.
You may set up Windows 7, but you’ll lack any future support. Here’s how: Turn off Cortana (it stays off by default), avoid Edge and stick with Firefox or another browser outside the Google network. Turn off the advertising ID request for apps, turn off speech recognition (since it ties to Cortana), and choose Basic Diagnostic data—this is what Microsoft collects (details available at https://privacy.microsoft.com/en-us/wind...nd-privacy). Essentially, you’ll see your system specs: hardware info, updates, OS features used, crash reports from updates.
Disable Activity History to sync across devices, turn off location access on the device, mute notifications, and avoid linking your account with Microsoft. You can still use third-party apps like Spotify, Netflix, or others via the Store.
If you feel restricted by Windows 10’s limitations, consider alternatives: try Linux via Windows Subsystem for Linux or install a distro from the Microsoft Store. For a quick setup, you can launch Ubuntu or another OS and run it in a virtual machine. Dual-booting remains an option if you prefer.