January 2020: Windows 7 causes problems? Sure - it died!

Everyone uses computers, but very few are interested in them. Surfing, watching videos, photo stuff, chatting on Facebook, chatting on Twitter and maybe a few letters for the insurance company - the is the computer world for most. And that's why a lot of you regular users are going through this right now Warning messages and non-working updates and who knows what else to wonder. What happened? What's next? A little help for people who are not interested in Windows, have no idea about computers and if you have any problems, please call the grandchildren, children or the admin from work ;)

Windows 7 is history

Windows is that Operating system Your computer and was probably pre-installed when you bought it - just like Android is usually pre-installed on smartphones. With the operating system, it is only possible to do anything with the hardware, i.e. the metal, the plastic, the cables and circuit boards. Without it, a computer would be useless and dead, whether it was on or off.

The probability is very very high that on your computer a Windows version 7 runs. It's been there since 2009 and the successor Windows 8 never really caught on. A version 9 never existed. From January 14, 2020, Windows 7 will no longer be supported by the manufacturer Microsoft, i.e. there will be no more updates. However, such updates are important to ensure the security of the system. Of course, updates often bring new functions, but you can usually do without them. However, closing security gaps is essential. And even the best operating system will always have such gaps and get new gaps.

This has nothing to do with a bad product! 10 years is just one in the world of technology insane long time. New techniques, new requirements, new problems, new methods of attack arise – and even if they don't: The Windows code is so gigantic that it is practically impossible to produce it without errors, let alone to keep it.

This means in practice: For private users, Windows 7 is just a zombie and should be redeemed quickly. Otherwise there is a risk Victim of any kind of (cyber) attack. Someone could steal your data, misuse your computer or lock it up completely and only release it again for a ransom. So: away with it.

Windows 10 as successor

The successor is called Windows 10 and one thing is clear: You probably don't want to deal with it and you shouldn't like changes either. Because if you haven't noticed much of all this so far, you should use a computer according to the motto: It does what it is supposed to do, why change anything? It's understandable why Microsoft continues to provide corporate customers with the appropriate contracts with updates for Windows 7 - for the average consumer this isn't an alternative (even if there are probably some tinkering solutions that are only interesting for die-hard PC freaks).

However, there is for you good news: The transition to Windows 10 is free, fairly simple, all data stays where it is and 90+ percent of all programs run the same as before. We'll show you how it's done here Step by step.

You will have to get used to it a bit at first, some things look different, there are a few (few, small) new functions and details here and there are simply implemented differently. On the whole, Win 10 works just like Win 7 - you don't have to read whole books first.

For starters, you could the biggest differences look, we have more reading material for Windows 10 newcomers here.

Which problems?

You will most likely have problems with the connected hardware and exotic programs to have. With hardware it is due to so-called drivers: Drivers are software products that enable communication between the device (printer, mouse, microphone, etc.) and Windows. And since drivers are of course operating system-specific, Windows 10 needs different drivers than Windows 7. Fortunately, almost all standard devices and drivers are automatically updated or converted when you switch to Win 10. But if one device no longer works then you may have to install the driver manually. In principle, however, this is also quite trivial:

Just enter the name of the non-functioning device including the keywords Windows 10 and driver in the Google search, for example HP Printer 1234XY Driver Windows 10 - as a rule, you will find a manufacturer link directly, where you can download the driver and then like any other program to install can.

Also Program can fail in individual cases, this can happen in particular with smaller manufacturers of special software. Here, too, an automatic update mechanism usually takes effect. If not: Just look for a suitable Windows 10 version on the manufacturer's website. But sometimes that doesn't work and a program runs only under Win 7. But if you really need this program, you can virtual machine use: This is a virtual computer that is completely replicated on your desktop. You could run Windows 7 with the software on it. but Attention: The virtual machine should then of course not be connected to the Internet - then it is not a problem if Windows is outdated.

Alternative: Linux!

You have to get away from Windows 7, but not necessarily towards Windows 10. If you don't constantly play the latest video games, you can also switch to a Linux distribution. There are many variants of Linux, which are called distributions – so there is not “one” Linux, not one look and not one operating concept. However, all Linuxes (with a few professional exceptions) are available free of charge, faster and more secure than Windows and not more complicated to use. Well, the change in operation is of course much greater than when you switched to Windows 10. But especially for everyone who basically only Office, browser, email, photos, films and social media use, Linuxes such as Ubuntu or Mint are great alternatives - because all these programs and applications are no different from the use under Windows.

Nevertheless, a switch to Linux with extra effort connected than on Windows 10. If you want to deal with the computer as little as possible, you should probably stay with Windows. Anyone who is willing to spend a weekend dealing with the topic will get more security, better performance, a universe in which almost everything is available free of charge and a permanent solution with which one does not have to worry about Ubuntu, Mint & Co must bind the Microsoft group.

We have a lot here Linux article and ask here 32 different distributions. Tip: (Almost?) all Linuxes are available as so-called Live systems: This allows you to start the computer from a CD-ROM or a USB data carrier and try out the distribution without installing anything on the computer - this has absolutely no effect on Windows 7 on the device.

Do not worry ;)

Probably the most important tip for everyone who is just annoyed because they don't feel like switching, working with Windows or a new version: It's not all that wild. The upgrade is limited to a few clicks and two or three hours of patience. Problems rarely arise, only a few driver and software updates might still require your clicks. And getting used to it is damn fast - and if you absolutely don't want to, the old look and feel from the Windows 98 days (!) can be reconstructed, as you can see here.

Of course, this is not a license to be carefree: backups! For heaven's sake, back up the most important files, passwords and other data beforehand - extensive upgrades can discord shut down the whole system. It's just very, very unlikely here...