You may have seen the “obituaries” in the news in passing, but in case you didn’t, I wanted to let you know that January 14th was the end of life date (EOL) for Windows 7.  It is technically secure right now, but Windows 7 will receive no more security updates from Microsoft.  There will be no more Patch Tuesday — 2nd Tuesday of the month updates that have protected users for more than 10 years.    With the exception of a couple of loose ends that I am tying up, this EOL date didn’t affect many of my clients because I got them all onto Windows 10 in 2015-2016 during that first year.   Some of them have also purchased new computers since then as well. 

I want to take this opportunity to remember Windows 7 as a cherished member of my life.   During the summer of 2009, Microsoft offered a discount to buy Windows 7 in advance.  It was $50.  I jumped on that right away.  (Normal retail pricing for Windows 7 was about $100 to $150).   Windows 7 launched on October 22, 2009.  Naturally, I installed it on day one.   I actually put in on a Mac as a 2nd operating system.   For years, even now, a Mac can support Windows through Boot Camp or other virtualization software.   There were days when I used Windows 7 even more than the Mac OS.   I loved you at first sight Windows 7.     Windows 7 was such an improvement to the unstable Windows Vista and provided a timely refresh to Windows XP which was about 8 years old at the time.   Windows 7 also became “Mac like” in a sense because Microsoft offered some free apps to mimic Apple’s iLife Suite.    Windows 7 users could install Windows Essentials which gave them Photo Gallery, Movie Maker, and a blogging tool called Live Writer.

Windows 7 had one major update or upgrade as I like to call it.  It was called SP1 — service pack one which was released in 2011.  That is quite a contrast to the present era when we get 2 new versions of Windows 10 every year.    The problem with this servicing model was that — lets say it was 2013 or even more recently and Windows had to be re-installed.  Even if you got a Windows 7 disc or USB with the SP1 version, you would need to install ALL OF THE SECURITY UPDATES. from 2011 to the current date of install.  This could take days!   It was really difficult for both the user and their favorite tech support guru.   One of the great features of Windows 10 is that, if your computer needed a reinstallation of Windows 10 today — I could install the latest version Windows 10 – 1909 and only a minimal number of updates would be required.  There is no need to go back and download the original Windows 10 from 2015, followed by endless updates.

Windows 7 — I loved you for your stability and predictability.  When I abandoned the Mac OS as my primary computing platform in early 2014 — I raced for an HP ProBook laptop with Windows 7 Professional.  You were there for me and meant a lot in that time of change.   I will forever miss your Start Menu.   Goodbye old friend!