Windows 7 Club

[delshay]

I'm also sticking with win7 as I have a FX-60 processor which does not support win 10. I will also search for the next two years update after jan.

Another thing I like to point out is, win 10 can be made to support most old processors as you can emulate any missing hardware features a processor is missing.

 

[kiriakost]

Wow we have a Club.
The good news, I am owner of 7 Pro Retail and MS it is obligated to renew the authenticity no mater how many times it will be required.
The bad news, start of 2021 MS kill the OEM licenses.

This month I had a sweet transition, from 775 Intel socket to LGA1150, the operating system booted right away with the new motherboard.
I lost two days about finding all latest Intel drivers, but now the new build this is in exceptional condition.
OS with SP1, fresh framework and very few hand sellected MS patch.

 

[Cutechri]

The only club I won't be participating in. Very unpopular opinion, but I hate this OS. Windows 7 has caused me so many headaches with its godawful update agent, I spent only 6 months on it before going to 8.1 and finally 10. 8.1 managed to run my Celeron crapbox better, and that's no surprise since NT 6.3 is much easier on HDDs than NT 6.1 and especially NT 10.

I've been using Windows 10 since 2014 - yes, 2014, first day Insiders released for the first time with the first preview Windows 10 build - and the update agent has been so smooth up until this day. Heck, even Vista SP2 gave me a better experience than 7. Truly unfortunate that I didn't have the same good experience as many people did, but it is what it is.

Very concerned for people who run Windows 7 as a daily driver. Unless your hardware is literally unsupported by newer OSes (even 8.1, somehow), you shouldn't be running it.

 

[Pawelr98]

My win7 install is 28 Dec 2013 and went through two motherboards already (upgrades). Now it's on i7 6950X and RX6600, while it started on Phenom II X4 965 and HD6990.
Still working fine despite the age. Update wise, it just requires patience, I can go vanilla 2009 to fully updated without issues, as long as you know certain KB's to bypass issues caused by microsoft usage of update packs at a later date. Win7 generally speaking works with pretty much anything you throw at it, most software "requirements" for Win10 are purely artificial and things work fine. DX12 support was added by microsoft at a later date and there are also Vulkan-DX12 APIs to bypass the rest.

Win10 I just didn't use apart from one game. Resident evil village which because of Denuvo didn't work with DX12-Vulkan translation API.
For that reason I just keep a win10 on a drive hidden in a drawer. Should I need it, I can mount it and run it.
But so far, apart from that one use case I never had trouble just using Win7 for everything and win10 install just remains in cold storage.

For those who want more, Windows Embedded POSReady 7 has support until mid 2024.
And there's no difference between that and normal 7, updates do work if modified.

 

[Selaya]

The only club I won't be participating in. Very unpopular opinion, but I hate this OS. Windows 7 has caused me so many headaches with its godawful update agent, I spent only 6 months on it before going to 8.1 and finally 10. 8.1 managed to run my Celeron crapbox better, and that's no surprise since NT 6.3 is much easier on HDDs than NT 6.1 and especially NT 10.

I've been using Windows 10 since 2014 - yes, 2014, first day Insiders released for the first time with the first preview Windows 10 build - and the update agent has been so smooth up until this day. Heck, even Vista SP2 gave me a better experience than 7. Truly unfortunate that I didn't have the same good experience as many people did, but it is what it is.

Very concerned for people who run Windows 7 as a daily driver. Unless your hardware is literally unsupported by newer OSes (even 8.1, somehow), you shouldn't be running it.

you've completely missed the point of 7 then, congratulations
the point of it is an OS that precedes the updatespam shitidea, hence it was designed to work w/o (constantly) updating. and that it exactly does.
if you were to run 10 or 11 w/o updates, even if you could (and you certainly can) it would not be a good idea since they're both fundamentally designed to like, require updates to run.

it's as they would've said, make something an idiot can use, and only idiots will use it - ergo, make updates convenient enough and only updates will be useful since now you can always fix your bug next week instead of shipping software that's been properly validated

 

[Jhart1228]

you've completely missed the point of 7 then, congratulations
the point of it is an OS that precedes the updatespam shitidea, hence it was designed to work w/o (constantly) updating. and that it exactly does.
if you were to run 10 or 11 w/o updates, even if you could (and you certainly can) it would not be a good idea since they're both fundamentally designed to like, require updates to run.

it's as they would've said, make something an idiot can use, and only idiots will use it - ergo, make updates convenient enough and only updates will be useful since now you can always fix your bug next week instead of shipping software that's been properly validated

Windows 10 is like the Free to Play MMO that constantly adds updates that break the game. Unfortunately, it is required for the latest games, drivers and whatnot. Shame.

 

[R-T-B]

the point of it is an OS that precedes the updatespam shitidea, hence it was designed to work w/o (constantly) updating.

No. Just no. That "idea" died well before Windowd 7.

Windows updates were actually done as needed and not just on patch tuesdays when 7 launched, ie more frequently as it were.

I don't know where people get ideas like this. Updates are not your enemy.

If you want to run 7 it's your right but I'd certainly update it unless running offline.

 

[Selaya]

speak for yourself then, i am perfectly capable of keeping my computer clean & safe w/o (relying on) updates.
admittedly that is a nontrivial task, but that's besides the point here

 

[kiriakost]

Let's test how many Win 7 IT experts they are still around.

When I did switched to my new motherboard, I did remove old drivers from the old motherboard.
But I forgot Windows WMI service that I had this disabled.

C:\Windows\System32\wbem
C:\Windows\System32\wbem\AutoRecover
Both folders included several .Mof files that was not registered at the windows registry.

My Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) service, this starts normally, and WMI records are not corrupted.

I did use MicrosoftFixit50688, old cure about (WMI) = added Microsoft corrections to database (something that they forgot to add at Win7 SP1 Media DVD).
I did find (download) and run WMIDiag_2.2 (2019), it found few errors of not registered .Mof at windows registry.
I did add those few .Mof paths by hand at the registry, and deleted all .Mof files from C:\Windows\System32\wbem\AutoRecover that was not registered in the registry.

WMIDiag_2.2 final log, this is now clean other than a note for a registry key (that is not even in the registry).

27065 11:53:29 (0) ** WMI service DCOM setup: ............................................................................................. OK.
27066 11:53:29 (2) !! WARNING: WMI DCOM components registration is missing for the following EXE/DLLs: .................................... 1 WARNING(S)!
27067 11:53:29 (0) ** - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WBEM\SERVERCOMPPROV.DLL (\CLSID\{9042E1B1-8FD4-4008-89FE-4040CC74575A}\InProcServer32)
27068 11:53:29 (0) ** => WMI System components are not properly registered as COM objects, which could make WMI to
27069 11:53:29 (0) ** fail depending on the operation requested.
27070 11:53:29 (0) ** => For a .DLL, you can correct the DCOM configuration by executing the 'REGSVR32.EXE <Filename.DLL>' command.
27071 11:53:29 (0) **
27072 11:53:29 (0) ** WMI ProgID registrations: ........................................................................................... OK.
27073 11:53:29 (0) ** WMI provider DCOM registrations: .................................................................................... OK.
27074 11:53:29 (0) ** WMI provider CIM registrations: ..................................................................................... OK.
27075 11:53:29 (0) ** WMI provider CLSIDs: ................................................................................................ OK.
27076 11:53:29 (0) ** WMI providers EXE/DLL availability: ................................................................................. OK.

Question, if I proceed to rebuild WMI database (with administration command lines), will the not needed .Mof be automatically deleted?
I am aiming for some sort of self-clean up, if this is not going to happen? then I am good the system it is healthy enough.

 

[QuietBob]

I still run Windows 7 on a number of computers. Most of them are hobby projects, but I also have it installed on a PC I use daily. All systems are fully updated with the latest ESU and have current internet security software for added protection. Win7 is great for running stuff that isn't fully compatible with later OSes, including a great host of games. It is also much lighter on older hardware than Windows 10.

As a retro geek, I have no plans to abandon Win7 altogether. Heck, just a few weeks ago I was actually tinkering with Windows XP. I used it for a few days to browse the internet. The experience wasn't much different from using any current system

 

[droid-I]

Have a few puters in the house, can't recall if any of them are still at W7. Upgraded them to W10 out of curiosity to see if they'd still work with a newer OS.
This almost makes me want to try if I can go online with an XP machine that's been sitting cold for a couple of years.

 

[kiriakost]

Gift from Microsoft that still works.
You better keep a copy of this file at your treasure box.

Fix problems that block programs from being installed or removed - Microsoft Support

The Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter helps you automatically repair issues when you're blocked from installing or removing programs.

support.microsoft.com

Gift from INTEL Intel® Rapid Storage Technology (Intel® RST) DRV Ver 15.9.8.1050 .. New panel 15.9.8.1053

Intel® Rapid Storage Technology (Intel® RST) User Interface and Driver

The Intel® Rapid Storage Technology (Intel® RST) Driver (16.8.5.1014.5 ) supports the configuration and enabling of system acceleration with Intel® Optane™ Memory and maintenance of RAID 0/1/5/10.

www.intel.com

 

[kiriakost]

Since the beginning of time, most users was up to speedup the operation of their operating system.
Windows are famous about recording in logs all services activity, by the hope that an expert eye can use this information for troubleshooting.
Microsoft this is also famous, leaving behind as non-fixed, low priority bugs, and to move on at selling their fresher OS (no matter the numbers of new bugs).

Win 7: USER Log-on / Log Off/ Log-on, .... Logged .... Circular Kernel tracing service cannot start ... bla bla bla ...
Kernel-EventTracing log this can be set to disable.

By minimizing pointless log writing traffic (activity) , you do speedup your system.

My motherboard has two INTEL NIC, by installing official driver INTEL PROSet, my Event viewer started to record NIC Link-up or Link-Down activity.
Dedicated Log category this was not listed.

I started a new hunting for three days, so to discover this ....

 

[lexluthermiester]

How did I miss this thread? Grr..

Updates are not your enemy.

While I will agree with this, there is an important caveat: Automatic updates can cause unexpected problems and even brick a system. While this was less true during the Windows 7 times, it was still a possiblity. When it comes to Windows 7 and updates, at this point users are as safe as they can get because of Win7 being retired.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Win-7 eol is just a long awaited vacation from ms updates for us to cull through to find out which ones were really needed and which ones were just more telemetry.

 

[eidairaman1]

I would need to collect the list of updates on my sig rig then go on askwoody.com and look at the list of safe updates there that have no telemetry to put on a Ryzen rig...

 

[kiriakost]

I am fully aware about MS telemetry.
I did become member at askwoody about a year ago, his recommendations cannot be blindly followed either.
I did followed them at my first Win7 Pro setup, then formatted everything and I did start over from scratch.

At a virgin Win 7 installation, with out even any VGA drivers installed, it is required to be downloaded windowsupdateagent-7.6-x64.exe (of 2014) this will activate windows update (DO NOT download anything).
Step 2= NET 4.8 Framework 64x 86x (or else Nvidia drivers will be unable to get installed).

Step 3: There is only five KBxxxxx worth downloading, and then you are saying Goodbye to Microsoft.

Now the faithful of Win7 they do not dare to use latest Microsoft explorer. ( There is explanations at the fine print at accepting the license = read it as I did) and move away.
Therefore we have to deal with Firefox, and this is not innocent either.

How to Disable Telemetry Data Collection on Firefox to Increase Privacy - TeckLyfe

Updated in 2024 for current releases of Firefox including v122.

www.tecklyfe.com

Office 2010 small business (huge research needed of how to configure the installation), or else bunch of network services stay active expecting you to connect at remote documents sharing environment.
I will keep those details for my self.

 

[Nike_486DX]

Even 8.1 is better than 10 imo, and for a really unpopular reason - its actually got better ui. There is tablet mode and there is normal mode, and only one control panel. In windows 10 tho, by clicking "control panel" in one place, and also "control panel" in a slightly different location - opens 2 different control panels, (one of them being utterly useless minimalist-tablet-looking thing btw) like if there was no differentiation between them. Never seen this in 8.1.

Windows 7 is great, this is why it lasted for so long. And will probably last for quite a while. Imo ppl should keep in mind that 1) many "security" updates are actually just feature updates which dont mean much and wont affect your security anyways. And 2) you need to just disable some of the internal windows 7 functions as they were discontinued way back in 2013-2014 lol (and use the os as normal). The biggest issue is as the % of market share is decreasing, the major software developers will drop support for win7 . In essence Windows 7 is too old but sadly there is still no proper replacement for it.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Even 8.1 is better than 10 imo, and for a really unpopular reason - its actually got better ui.

Oh good grief no! I would take Windows 10 over 8/8.1 ANY day, IF I couldn't drop back to 7. Windows 8/8.1 is hot garbage and most people won't touch it..

Windows 7 is great

This!

 

[frankr2994]

I was taught on win98 then as things progressed I got real into windows XP. Windows 7 was coming out right when I was moving out and to be on my own. Computer I had was junk,no money for internet so I got out of it for a while. By the time I needed it again I was in a shop running 7. I got the hang of it. Owners son and law came in and did the free update to 10 and I flipped shit. I ended up loving windows 10. My few experiences with 8 or 8.1 I hated. I'm still fairly good with 9x but I've seen to forgotten everything in between. I have 1 piece of equipment running 7 for driver compatibility. I've also exhausted resources on trying to get win 10 drivers for the equipment. Now it's time for me to be pissed off windows 10 isn't lasting forever like they said like that's even a little surprising.....

 

[kiriakost]

the major software developers will drop support for win7 .

1000 Euro bet, that the poor souls using 32bit code, they are out of business all ready.

Anything else that uses the platform of NET Framework 64x 86x this stays active.
I would worry if MS would kill NET Framework at Win11 and use something totally different instead.
NET Framework appeared at times of Win-XP and lives within all versions of windows up to the latest.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Ran into this fellow posting about this process to update after eol for free

BypassESU.

Actually MS still provides security updates for win 7 for large companies that pay for that. It's called Extended Security Updates. This tools makes think the os/windows update that your PC is eligible for the updates.

I thought at first, okay seen this long ago

It appears that the Windows 7 ESU Bypass is indeed working - gHacks Tech News

The Windows 7 ESU bypass to install ESU-only updates for the operating system appears to be working just fine.

www.ghacks.net

But after a ducky search found a couple youtube videos
One using v11 unfortunately content is blocked on the referred website for v11 download

Summed up all that is needed is two updates installed first basically for me anyway
KB4555449
KB4575903
Restart

Found a second video that offered v9 on it through google share
Then found v9 on github too it just doesn't tell you the right updates you need installing but does give three that do need to be installed just like the first video shows all five needed

GitHub - arturolegovich/BypassESU-v9-AIO: BypassESU-v9-AIO for Windows 7 x64 & x86

BypassESU-v9-AIO for Windows 7 x64 & x86. Contribute to arturolegovich/BypassESU-v9-AIO development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

Then unblock in properties and run the liveOS-setup as admin
I selected 1 option

I've done all my win-7's so far and haven't noticed anything weird just that it didn't come up with near as many updates as I thought would be found
Only found a few, a rollup from 10-2021 and I opted to install net 4.8 too

So this was pretty easy so thanks @Cergy for the heads up and follow up on another thread

I Got Windows 7 in 2022.

Hi, z490 on win-11 the hdd loads normally so 10's windows explore is borked I'll restore a system image when I get a chance and see if it fixes it. Edit System image fixed it.

www.techpowerup.com

 

[QuietBob]

Summed up all that is needed is two updates installed first basically for me anyway
KB4555449
KB4575903
Restart

Unfortunately, the installation instructions included with ESU Bypass v9 are outdated, confusing and even self-contradictory.

To be clear, on a fully updated OS (with all important updates until January 14, 2020 installed) you will need only two specific updates for the ESU bypass to work:

2020-07 ESU Licensing Preparation Package (kb4575903)
and the latest Servicing Stack Update, which gets updated every few months - here's the current one:
2022-02 Servicing Stack Update (kb5010451)

You may have to restart after installing any one of these, as instructed by the OS. Then you install the bypass as per your instructions, choosing Full Installation. You need to restart again before ESU updates become available:

Monthly Security and Quality Rollup
Monthly Security and Quality Rollup for .NET Framework 4.8
Malicious Software Removal Tool

As these are cumulative, you will only receive the latest one for the current month.

 

[kiriakost]

Something different here as recommendation.
Australian software which has two goals.
It can delete orphan installation files = not that important feature.
It can find corrupted or deleted packages, that windows consider as good to keep = at a critical time Windows OS it would be unable to use the damaged installers.

PatchCleaner - safely clean your windows installer directory | homedev - software development out of the box

Safely remove all orphaned patch and installer files from your windows installer directory in one easy click

www.homedev.com.au

 

[ThrashZone]

Unfortunately, the installation instructions included with ESU Bypass v9 are outdated, confusing and even self-contradictory.

To be clear, on a fully updated OS (with all important updates until January 14, 2020 installed) you will need only two specific updates for the ESU bypass to work:

2020-07 ESU Licensing Preparation Package (kb4575903)
and the latest Servicing Stack Update, which gets updated every few months - here's the current one:
2022-02 Servicing Stack Update (kb5010451)

You may have to restart after installing any one of these, as instructed by the OS. Then you install the bypass as per your instructions, choosing Full Installation. You need to restart again before ESU updates become available:

Monthly Security and Quality Rollup
Monthly Security and Quality Rollup for .NET Framework 4.8
Malicious Software Removal Tool

As these are cumulative, you will only receive the latest one for the current month.

Hi,
Yep eventually there will be a newer update whether it's service stack update or update client...
Clean install will always be different than someone that was updated to eol

I slipped and installed the software removal tool on my first run
Other two 7's I didn't install those useless updates just hid them.