Windows 7 and 8 End of Life

[Dr.Flay]

Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 reach the end of the line

It's the end of the line for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. These older versions of Windows (plus Windows RT) stop receiving all security updates today

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/01/closing-time-windows-7-and-windows-8-1-have-received-their-last-updates/

For those of you intending on reinstalling these older systems at any point, you should download yourself a copy of the current update files before they are gone.
WSUS Offline Update
https://download.wsusoffline.net/
For Windows 7 you will need the ESR version 11.9.x

IMPORTANT You should also use 0patch if you want to continue getting security updates
https://0patch.com

https://blog.0patch.com/2022/10/two-more-years-of-critical-security.html
https://blog.0patch.com/2023/01/0patch-security-adopts-microsoft-edge.html

[AndrewShay]

Thanks, you made my day

[Catweazle]

@AndrewShay , anyway, security updates are not going to be the only problem that will appear sooner or later in an outdated OS.

[AndrewShay]

@Catweazle Ok, thanks

[Catweazle]

@AndrewShay , a good option is to use dualboot with Linux, Q4OS f.Exmpl., than you can use Windows 7 locally as long as you want and you have an updated OS to go online.

[Dr.Flay]

As long as 0patch keep supporting the older OSs, you have access to the same fixes as Win 10 and 11, plus the fixes MS don't bother to do.

[raffaelefranco]

I have burned a dvd with Seven patches in 2021. I had downloaded them with wsus (I have stored an old legacy version in a Mega archive) and with Autopatcher.

[Dr.Flay]

Worth noting
Windows 7 secretly received support for Secure Boot
https://winaero.com/windows-7-secretly-received-support-for-secure-boot/

also useful
https://www.maketecheasier.com/12-things-you-must-do-when-running-a-solid-state-drive-in-windows-7/

[barbudo2005]

@Dr-Flay

Google Drive is ending app support for Windows 8 and 8.1:

https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/8/23753727/google-drive-windows-8-1-support-ending

[Dr.Flay]

@barbudo2005 Problem solved by using a better front end.

Multiple cloud drives in 1 small client
https://www.airexplorer.net
or mount your cloud drives as local devices
https://www.airlivedrive.com

[Dr.Flay]

Update
0patch have extended the support deadline to 2026
https://0patch.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360009437380-How-long-do-you-plan-to-provide-Windows-7-and-Windows-Server-2008-R2-Micropatches

[DoctorG]

@Dr-Flay Or longer if enuff customers need it.
See:

but will extend that as long as there is sufficient market demand for them. Yes, if this means providing patches for Windows 7 or Server 2008 R2 in 2030, we'll do that.
— https://0patch.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360009437380-How-long-do-you-plan-to-provide-Windows-7-and-Windows-Server-2008-R2-Micropatches