# Is Windows 7 safe to use today? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 27, 2024, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-windows-7-safe-to-use-today/1002160 "2024-05-27T22:07:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jackson99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@Jackson99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackson99)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2024, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-windows-7-safe-to-use-today/1002160/1 "2024-05-27T22:07:09Z")
I know Microsoft ended supported for Windows 7 with no updates. But is Windows 7 safe to use or only with the right anti virus software and browser. The pale moon browser says it still supports Windows 7 but I believe Firefox has ended support. Not sure what anti virus software is recommended for Windows 7 or firewall software as windows firewall is no longer getting updates. Well is avast security any good or the firewall software zone alarm? ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2024, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-windows-7-safe-to-use-today/1002160/2 "2024-05-27T23:33:33Z")
No, it is not considered safe. There are no security updates. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-windows-7-safe-to-use-today/1002160/3 "2024-05-28T11:08:53Z")
Depends on how you define safe. Yes, you will be missing security updates. But unless you do something stupid like hooking up directly to the Internet with no router or firewall, you won’t be instantly vulnerable. And if you only viewed known safe website (and use an adblocker or script blocker to keep away third party code), and use a web browser that is still receiving updates\*, then you’ll be decently safe. But you are still at a higher risk than if you were using a version of Windows with modern security updates. If you do wind up visiting a bad site or running bad software, you’ll be more easily compromised. Personally, if you have an old computer that still runs Windows 7 on a hard drive with less than 4GB of memory, I might stick with that. (And maybe if you just can’t afford the update now that it’s no longer free). But if you can run at least Windows 10, I would run the latest version of that. And if you just want Windows 7 to run some particular software, then I’d say to keep Windows 7 offline. If you keep your computer offline, then even much older OSes are safe. \*This is the most important thing. The webbrowser is the main attack vector. Keeping it up to date along with an updated antivirus really does significantly reduce the attack surface, even if the OS itself has issues. It’s got to get through the browser and antivirus to get to the OS. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-windows-7-safe-to-use-today/1002160/4 "2024-05-28T14:09:01Z")
> [@FinsToTheLeft](#): > > There are no security updates. I have an old laptop running Windows 7, and it has kept getting occasional updates. At least, that’s what the shutdown button says. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-windows-7-safe-to-use-today/1002160/5 "2024-05-28T14:35:23Z")
I have to ask, why? Windows 7 is four numbered versions back, and has been EOLed for four years now. It’s fine if you’re not actually connected to the internet, but I’d be extremelywary of connecting anything Win 7 to the internet. At work, our security guys are super-itchy about Win 7 computers still being out there- like they’ll just shut them off from the network when they find them, without asking or anything. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-windows-7-safe-to-use-today/1002160/6 "2024-05-28T15:58:18Z")
> [@bump](#): > > I have to ask, why? The counter-question is: why should I have to throw away something that still works? ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-windows-7-safe-to-use-today/1002160/7 "2024-05-28T16:01:45Z")
Because it’s not getting updates and will have more and more security holes as time goes on. It’s not like Microsoft has committed to supporting it forever. Unless you mean the machine itself? You can always install some easy Linux build or Chromeos. ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-windows-7-safe-to-use-today/1002160/8 "2024-05-28T16:06:52Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > The counter-question is: why should I have to throw away something that still works? Think of it as finding some older luncheon meat at the back of your fridge. Will you get sick eating it? Maybe, I’m not taking the chance. ---
**Author:** ![Jackson99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@Jackson99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackson99)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-windows-7-safe-to-use-today/1002160/9 "2024-05-28T16:40:49Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Depends on how you define safe. Yes, you will be missing security updates. But unless you do something stupid like hooking up directly to the Internet with no router or firewall, you won’t be instantly vulnerable. And if you only viewed known safe website (and use an adblocker or script blocker to keep away third party code), and use a web browser that is still receiving updates\*, then you’ll be decently safe. > > But you are still at a higher risk than if you were using a version of Windows with modern security updates. If you do wind up visiting a bad site or running bad software, you’ll be more easily compromised. > > Personally, if you have an old computer that still runs Windows 7 on a hard drive with less than 4GB of memory, I might stick with that. (And maybe if you just can’t afford the update now that it’s no longer free). But if you can run at least Windows 10, I would run the latest version of that. > > And if you just want Windows 7 to run some particular software, then I’d say to keep Windows 7 offline. If you keep your computer offline, then even much older OSes are safe. > > \*This is the most important thing. The webbrowser is the main attack vector. Keeping it up to date along with an updated antivirus really does significantly reduce the attack surface, even if the OS itself has issues. It’s got to get through the browser and antivirus to get to the OS. Is the firewall software Zone Alarm any good? As for security is the software Avast any good? > **[Avast | Download Free Antivirus & VPN | 100% Free & Easy](https://www.avast.com/en-us/index)** > > Join 435 million others and get award-winning free antivirus for PC, Mac & Android. Surf safely & privately with our VPN. Download Avast today! As Windows built in firewall and security software is no longer getting updates. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-windows-7-safe-to-use-today/1002160/10 "2024-05-28T16:43:01Z")
Or like an old smoke detector. They, like operating systems have a finite lifespan, and using them past that contains a great deal of risk. ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-windows-7-safe-to-use-today/1002160/11 "2024-05-28T16:46:10Z")
> [@bump](#): > > Or like an old smoke detector. ![](https://media2.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExYmZrMnRkaGt5MTZiNnp5bXVhZmdqcHA1dGVycWx0bGcyaGxwZ2tsNCZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/k5lj4s1qxaSyI/giphy.gif "Zach Dorsey GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY") ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-windows-7-safe-to-use-today/1002160/12 "2024-05-28T16:47:08Z")
Speaking of which, I got a notice that Microsoft will stop supporting Windows 10 in October 2025. It’s a real pain to migrate to a new computer when the one I have does exactly what I want, but I guess I’ll have no choice. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-windows-7-safe-to-use-today/1002160/13 "2024-05-28T16:53:37Z")
The upgrade to Windows 11 was pretty much uneventful for me, both at home and work. There were a few very minor UI tweaks, but I want to emphasize _minor_ there. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-windows-7-safe-to-use-today/1002160/14 "2024-05-28T17:42:14Z")
I need to start a thread on this at some point – there’s something wrong with my main drive setup that prevents me from updating. ETA: It’s not UEFI Secure Boot, and the idea of trying to upgrade that with some backup drive and having to reinstall 15 years of programs fills me with dread. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-windows-7-safe-to-use-today/1002160/15 "2024-05-28T20:38:56Z")
That same message said that my computer cannot be upgraded to Windows 11. I have no idea why. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-windows-7-safe-to-use-today/1002160/16 "2024-05-28T20:57:24Z")
@suranyi, @RitterSport Here at least is an open source app that will tell you why Windows refuses to upgrade: > **[GitHub - rcmaehl/WhyNotWin11: Detection Script to help identify why your PC...](https://github.com/rcmaehl/WhyNotWin11)** > > Detection Script to help identify why your PC is not Windows 11 Release Ready. Now Supporting Update Checks! - rcmaehl/WhyNotWin11 ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-windows-7-safe-to-use-today/1002160/17 "2024-05-28T20:59:26Z")
Oh, it’s definitely because of the UEFI thing for me, but I would need to change out my boot drive or somehow back it up, update it to UEFI, then restore it, except for the boot method. The stress would probably kill me. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-windows-7-safe-to-use-today/1002160/18 "2024-05-28T21:06:17Z")
There are ways to convert from an MBR setup to a UEFI supported boot (which requires a GPT setup). And there are also people who have worked out how to install Windows 11 in MBR mode. Unfortunately I don’t know these myself, but I thought maybe those terms would help you. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-windows-7-safe-to-use-today/1002160/19 "2024-05-28T21:07:56Z")
OK, thanks! Like I said, I may have to start a thread on the subject to get all the extra support, but thanks for the search terms. ---
**Author:** ![2outta3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2outta3/32/15520_2.png) [@2outta3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2outta3)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-windows-7-safe-to-use-today/1002160/20 "2024-05-28T21:44:05Z")
You don’t. If you’ve used Windows 7 safely after all this time without being compromised, then you obviously know enough about what you’re doing to continue using Windows 7 safely. I’m biased - after 30 years or so of self-taught dickering with both PC hardware and software, I’m pretty confident about my own choices and assessment of PC vulnerablities so I disagree with those whose knee jerk reaction is anything other than the latest version of Windows with current updated security and features is inherently unsafe. I purposedly bought a refurbished Lenovo Windows 10 computer late last year that I love simply because I prefer that version of Windows. I use Panda Dome as my antivirus and I use Ublock Orgin as my adblocker in all my browsers (yes, I have multiple browsers with one being dedicated to business/sensitive stuff). The are a few so-called browser “trust” addons/extensions such as Web of Trust (WOT) that I’ve tried over the years that I don’t use for a number of reasons but for those who are skittish about the idea of clicking on “bad” websites, they are available (but note that their definition of “bad” often goes beyond malware concerns and will flag things like adult websites by default). Because I hate Microsoft “feature” updates that are generally fluff and rarely do anything but make annoying cosmetic, ever-more-intrusive changes to the system, I even installed a program named “StopUpdates 10” which prevents security as well as feature updates to Windows and I don’t feel one iota less secure. I’m not suggesting you do what I’ve done but again, if you’ve used Windows 7 safely after all this time without being compromised, then you obviously know what the heck you’re doing! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-windows-7-safe-to-use-today/1002160.md?page=2)