You can safely use Windows 7 until 2022, but I won’t be answering your questions - stokestherad

Eva R. doesn't like Windows 10. She asked how long she can keep using Windows 7.

Microsoft angered a deal out of people by tricking them into upgrading to Windows 10. But those WHO successfully resisted can stay to use up Windows 7 for the rest of the decade.

In one feel, Microsoft has already obstructed supporting Windows 7, simply not in some respects that should concern you. Mainstream support ended in January of 2015. Only that only means Microsoft won't add new features OR switch the user interface. I suspect most current Windows 7 users are probably thankful that the look into and feel won't interchange.

[Cause a tech question? Every bit Suffice Line transitions from Lincoln Spector to Josh Norem, you can still send your interrogation to answer@pcworld.com . ]

The real job comes when Microsoft ends Extended support, which will happen on January 14, 2020. Afterwards that daytime, the company testament stop sending verboten hemipteran fixes and security patches. Without those, Windows 7 will be more vulnerable to malware and other forms of attack. I strongly recommend that you stop victimisation Windows 7 ahead that date.

Windows 8.1 users consume considerably more than time. Mainstream living ends in 2018; stretched, 2023.

In my opinion, these are reasonable dates. Like everything other, operative systems age, and eventually become unsound. And the hardware you now use may be showing signs of age by then likewise.

Speaking of things that don't last evermor…

I took ended PC World's Answer Line pillar in 1997. That's a extendable clock time ago. In those days, PC World was spelled as two words, most people read it in writing, and my first column contained an reply about Windows 95's handling of United States Department of State charge names.

After nineteen age, eight Windows versions, and an estimated 55,000 reader questions (near of which I answered personally), it's time for me to move along. And clock for me to thank every person WHO ever sent me a question. I couldn't feature done this column without you.

I'm delivering this blog into the very capable hands of Josh Norem. He's a veteran ofMaximum PC, with Q&A experience, and I'm superficial nervy to see what he does with Answer Line.

I'd like to at hand the column with a piece of advice: Back off your data files day-to-day. It's easy, and judging from the letters I've received, almost atomic number 102 one does IT.

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