Maybe it makes sense to brew a community Windows 7 very-very final version after 13 Jan 2026 and to host it somewhere?
What are you asking about exactly? why do you think final updates will be different that current updates? why do you think we can predict future?
Actually, I have never seen an EOL in my time. The last EOL I only heard about, was Vista/XP. I want to ask what exactly is going to happen. A fresh new install after EOL. Whether I will get the last update ever offered & Quality Driver Updates & drivers from Microsoft Update Catalog & MSE updates ? And whether your utility/ update solution can make any changes to that after EOL ? Thanks.
You can still get Windows 2000 updates via WU (if you managed to make it to work) it will work as usual, with BypassESU or activated ESU
That's great news, Thanks a lot! It seems a little out of context but still worth asking about MSE EOL. Here I am very clear that I want to get latest definitions at least every week even after 13th Jan 2026. Would it keep on getting updated with latest definitions or any trick to make so ? ( Though the working installer & latest definitions are available to download by Simplix as of now ) Thanks.
After eol ? Windows 7 continue to works only no update and after 2 years past 2026 you need to update root certificate for browser to avoid certificate error only ( website security https )
When it comes to "dead" OSes love will only get us so far. A point is reached where it must become a hobby rather than a driver of your mainstream computing. It is wise to choose a more current mainstream OS that is supported by the world at large so as to be able to function with society based on "today" & "tomorrow" as opposed to the "good old days". We have already squeezed many extra years out of Win7 because we found ways to keep the security side updated via backdoor accesses to current releases by M$ for other 6.1 support releases. This also kept software support alive & well; like browsers, banks, stores, medical interests, the government, etc. This will all noticeably stop within 6 months of Jan 2026. The majority of mainline Win7 users have already established contingency plans. I have been using Zorin Linux as my secondary OS for over 3 years now. It becomes my primary OS in 2026. I am completely comfortable with the OS & it accomplishes easily everything I desire to do on my laptop. My biggest suggestion is that everyone else do the same. Win10, Win11, MacOS, Linux, Ubuntu, ChromeOS, etc., etc... Just find something you can be happy with that will allow you to easily accomplish what you need to do on a computer today & tomorrow. 6.1 EOL officially occurs Jan 2026. M$ still maintains full control & legal rights over that core & any OS based on it. NO MORE official security update releases. A fresh install of Win7 will NOT magically create new ones. Just the old ones. Best move it to a computer without internet access & move on. Man can stand still; time cannot. Thanks everyone on this forum & other MDL support forums. HUGE special thanks to abbodi1406. We've had an amazing run. ;>))
You mean I have to build a new computer for Christmas... sigh... I just built a Mint machine for my friend and spent a long time making an 11 build local only.
2025-12-09 Win7/core 6.1 updates WU & all other programs closed; Cleaned & System Restore Backup point created Catalog search "Servicing Stack Update for Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64" 2025-11 Servicing Stack Update for Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems (KB5071810) DidNotApply OK 2025-12-09 LAST INSTALLED 2025-11-11 DidNotApply .NET framework 4.0-4.7 not on my computer; 4.8 & 3.5.1 updated individually Catalog search "Security and Quality Rollup for .NET Framework 4.8 for Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64" DidNotApply OK 2025-12 LAST INSTALLED 2025-10-14 Catalog search "Security and Quality Rollup for .NET Framework 3.5.1 for Windows Server 2008 R2 x64" DidNotApply OK 2025-12 LAST INSTALLED 2025-10-14 Catalog search "Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 11 for Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64" DidNotApply OK 2025-12 LAST INSTALLED 2025-10-14 Catalog search "Security Only Quality Update for Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64" 2025-12 Security Only Quality Update for Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems (KB5071506) RESTART; OK 2025-12-09 INSTALLED Restarted WU; Updated MSE & ran quick scan; ran cleaner; & started everything else... 1 more 2 go??? Thanks everyone on this forum & other MDL support forums. HUGE special thanks to abbodi1406. We've had an amazing run. ;>)) Feels like the end of an era. IT IS!
Windows Update found and installed KB5071501 (2025-12 Security Monthly Quality Rollup for Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems) with no issues. Only one more month left. What's everyone doing after updates? I'm probably sticking with 7, I'm willing to take any risks that brings personally.
Perhaps Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC is a temporary solution for me, or IoT version with security support till the end of 2031. And beyond that point, time will tell... Windows 11, 12 or whatever is not the option. @abbodi1406, you are the genius and hero, thank you for all your great work of keeping Windows 7 alive!
I am as well. To those reading: if 7 is the OS for you and you know how to take care of yourself, then stick with it. Most of us know what we are doing to at least a minimum extent; it's why we all ended here in the first place. Not the sheeple variety. A car aficionado doesn't suddenly sell his favorite convertible when the big auto industry stops manufacturing the parts he needs. He finds or makes his own.
Zorin 18 for me in Jan/Feb 2026. I am an online investor & I bank & shop online heavily. I require a modern browser that meets safety requirements for government, financial & medical security requirements. At this moment Win7 still provides that. It will not in the very near future. Thus my need for an OS that is recognized by these various entities as "safe" & updated. I do not have any software issues where freeware can't fully replace my M$ software as I have traveled in that direction for a couple of decades now. I am not currently a gamer but Linux has made tremendous advancement in that area to date. More & more proprietary drivers are becoming available for modern safety chips & GPUs. More & more software is being developed specifically for Linux; even commercial versions some need for professional use. I am done with M$ after Win7. Was a user from the very start. Has been an interesting if not long & bumpy ride. Win11 is a mess with every update causing some kind of crash scenario. Never found a reason to move to "10" which is now on ESU security update life support. Zorin has been my secondary OS since version "16" & I am happy with it in ALL aspects. Making it my primary OS with version "18" in 2026 will be seamless & smooth. It is a popular choice as they reported over 1,000,000 downloads within 6 weeks after Win10 went on ESU support. 78% were on Windows machines. I will, of course, continue to check in here on these forums just to stay abreast of what is happening. Thanks everyone on this forum & other MDL support forums. HUGE special thanks to abbodi1406. We've had an amazing run. ;>))