Pulling the plug on expired Operating Systems

3o5

That's unfortunate. I'm on Windows 8(.1) and not planning on updating any time soon.

Besides all the work needed to set up and tweak a new OS, which I really want to avoid in general and doubly so when there's no gain, there's also the problem of the unpleasant GUIs of Windows 10 and 11.

Ayespy

@3o5 I replace the gui with OpenShell. Problem solved.

3o5

@Ayespy

I don't mean just the Start Menu.

Also the windows' chrome, native context menus (and actually, native widgets in general), task bar, file explorer, possibly even the settings areas, though that's mostly less crucial since you don't configure it daily.

Perhaps some can be fixed with third party tools (which also Windows 8 needs partially), but it's becoming a hassle and I'm not sure everything is fixable.

If only OpenShell was a full shell, and also a window manager/compositor.

zeLounge

@neophyte: Totally agree with your assessment.

age is one parameter, what's under the hood is another.
my 10 year old T440p Thinkpad, with the fastest CPU & memory permitable, is still faster than any average new laptop. (ssd included, obviously)

zeLounge

@pesala: Humm,
Let me think... in the last 10 years...
Did I use antivirus on my laptops? Nope.
Did I use windows defender & firewall? Nope.
Did I use automatic windows update? Nope.
Did I got cut? yes, once, because I opened a port on my internet modem & laptop, and forgot to close them. But no sweat, got back to my recent system & data backup.
But yes,

I use a firewall (in manual mode with notifications)
I use an application monitoring app
I use the hosts file (about 14 thousands URL blocked)
I do monthly backup (system & data), sometimes more often.
I choose if & when I do apps updates.

So I quite agree with @user5765, my work environment is organized the way I need it to be. I don't need upgrades that bring more wasted time than benefits. And more useless bloatwares that needs to be cleaned up.
As for most posted arguements, respectfully, they're just the repeated corporation seduction mantra to stimulate their own wallet, not mine.
What you are actually saying is: "not our fault, we're just following orders".
That is your (legitimate) choice, not mine.

zeLounge

@catweazle: Maybe technology has made you more efficient.
Maybe having used the typewriter and slide rule, has made you wiser in unsing technology.

You don't need to look far to see young being dumb down with technology, and unable to use a keyboard with 9 fingers and type a structured letter without spelling mistakes. (I know I still make mistakes in my 2nd language)

Maybe for you, running a new OS, doesn't involve lots of lost time, because your use of it is narrow. For me it's a pain in the but because I do very diversified tasks (video/photo editing, translation, CAD, programming, design...), so for me upgrading is a full day's work, and still many details to finetune.

So the real question is: who's running the show, the technology or you?
You decide. Abdication is also a choice.

zeLounge

@catweazle: Can a light bulb last a hundred years? Yes. Will they make it? NO! But they once did.
So your "assumable end of compatibility"... is quite overstretched.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't go back to a cathodic tube as a graphical display, but there's "improvements" and there's the "illusion of improvement".

luetage

@zeLounge Just keep using the old operating system, if it’s the best option for you. Using an old version of Vivaldi on it should pose no problem for you. I don’t really get this topic.

Zalex108

The question would be,
How long will last an old set up with Chromium til websites force you to upgrade to use their Site/Services.

FF was extended XP support, (maybe they still), but you will need to move to another Browser, maybe not enough for your needs.

I guess in that point everyone will need to choose an option and continue.

Catweazle

@zeLounge , I perfectly understand your point of view and the attachment to the OS you use. A solution for you would be to use a dual boot with Linux, in this way you will have on the one hand an OS where you can use your usual applications and on the other hand a current OS with the latest version of Vivaldi, for safe browsing, which with an outdated OS and browser is not feasible.

The risk of using an outdated OS on the web grows exponentially over time, lacking the necessary security patches needed.

Especially now with the war, where there is also a global computer crossfire where every day tens of thousands of new exploits, spyware and malware appear on the network. This is why there are security updates, to alleviate this risk, those that you do not have in a discontinued OS.

mib2berlin

I still don´t understand why user want to use the latest software on an outdated OS.
For example Paint.net publish the next version 5.0 and stop support for Windows 7/8.1, you have to stay at version 4.9 for ever.
Your bank stop support for Android 7 you cant do banking anymore.
If you want to use Vivaldi 5.8, you cant.
If you are fine with it use the old OS further, if not you have to upgrade, that´s it.

Cheers, mib

Zalex108

@mib2berlin

There are ways to keep 7 updated but not all the people will go that way, so it's mostly because is not in mass supported that its support will finish.

mib2berlin

@Zalex108
There was even a security update for Windows 7 some weeks ago but if you want to use Paint.net 5.0 you cant.
This is only an example, many software will stop working, one after another.

Cheers, mib

Zalex108

@mib2berlin

Yes,
Related to software updates this will start to happen more frequently I guess.

Zalex108

In case it appears at some point in the future

https://winaero.com/how-to-disable-windows-10-upgrade-prompt-in-google-chrome/

zeLounge

@luetage: 100 points for @luetage ! I will have absolutly have no propblem running version 5.6 for as long as I need.

"you don't really get the topic"... well you should feel at home, amongst the masses that lead the world.

zeLounge

@catweazle: How nice that you understand my point of view. It's heart warming.
But actually you don't. You really don't.

You believe that I'm attached to the OS !?? Hey brother, I've ITed central systems, Mac when it as Intosh, win NT in finances, Centos(redhat) with mail/HTTP/SQL server in datacenters (where the REAL internet jungle is), and I currently dbl-boot Linux-mint & win7, while I can load Mint from inside win7 as well. I'm also testing, once a while, a virtual win10, hoping to get it closer to win7's GUI (I'm not holding my breath). I've tested 20+ linux distros, BSD, & alternative OS.

So, no! I'm not attached to the OS.

Now, let me help you with a figurative example. Imagine you've setup your office, you find the right size desk, a comfortable chair, the kind of lighting that helps you focus, you finally found the printer that almost never ask you for a new cartridge.... AND one day, a corporation comes along and decide to change your entire office (you didn't know they could, because you never bothered to read the fine print where it reads "this is the property of Corp, and give you the right to use it.. until otherwise). Now you got a brand new desk, but it's too low, and a new chair but it's too small, and the light is now red & too bright, and no more printer.

Does that help you really understand? Really, does it?

Do you know why an "if then else" in Pascal, C, C++ and whatever other languages, has always been working the same way since it's invention, some 50+ years ago? Because it would disrupt their business.

Now, the real quiz question: do you know why they have "exponentially" pushed a narative of fear (the exploits, spyware, malware... war, cronavirus)??? I'll give you a hint: why systems, all around, are asking for your phone number to register, or install your OS ??

You might want to take some time to sink in that last question.

Remember the mantra: "you will own nothing, and you will be happy".
But don't forget to read the fine print: "you won't own yourself as well".
Let me translate it in a more obvious way: "you'll be dumb, and happy".

"Welcome to the real world".

zeLounge

@mib2berlin I still don't understand how the people fall for that "outdated" bs.
Has it become rotten?
Does it smell bad?
Has it stopped working on Jan 1st 2000?
Well... Has it ???

Wow, it right in front of you and still don't get it??
Replace your "Your bank stop support for Android 7" with "You don't behave as they want". How does it read now?

If you are fine with following the herd to the precipice, by all means do.

Cheers.

zeLounge

@Zalex108 Thx for that one. I'm so glad I ditched bigG a long time ago.

It's amazing how the narative is similar in many fields (I let you guess),

Danger ahead, Danger ahead, you should take these actions.
Danger ahead, these actions are good for you.
Danger ahead, last chance to take these actions, now free.
Danger ahead, you haven't taken these actions, you are an anti-action.
Danger ahead, you leave us no choice, for the good of everyone, we'll force these actions on you.

I don't expect that many will get it... but it's worth the try.
Cheers.

Zalex108

@zeLounge

There's a post related to the that, I'll check it.