<div dir="auto">Definitely an extremely good reminder. <div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">For some people this will be as an easy a fix as grabbing the windows 10 installer and running it. ( <a href="http://microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10">microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10</a> )Check compatibility first, but if you're reasonably tech comfortable and want to do this yourself just go for it. It's past time to do so. </div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">If not, find someone to help you, or go hunting for the parts/software/assistance needed to upgrade your machine. </div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Generally speaking machines running 3rd gen Intel i series processors (or equivalent) and before are not technically compatible and should likely be replaced. <br><br>Be safe out there folks! <br><br><br><div data-smartmail="gmail_signature" dir="auto">Kiernan Gulick-Sherrill<br>Pronouns: He/Him<br>Green Earth Computers - Computer & Smartphone Repair<br>20a Crafts Ave<br>Northampton, MA 01060<br><a href="http://www.greenearthpc.us">www.greenearthpc.us</a><br>413-282-8324<br>-----------------------<br></div></div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Mon, Jan 13, 2020, 3:31 PM PeopleFirst Tech via Hidden-discuss <<a href="mailto:hidden-discuss@lists.hidden-tech.net">hidden-discuss@lists.hidden-tech.net</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr">I know this doesn't apply to the majority of HT folks, especially the tech-savvy, but as there are a number of PCs still running Windows 7 (and you likely know of someone who still is), it's a good reminder that Microsoft is ending security and other support for Windows 7 tomorrow, January 14th.<div><br></div><div>The following is an excerpt from <a href="https://peoplefirst.tech/windows-7-end-of-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">a page on my website</a> on the matter:</div><div><br></div></div><blockquote style="margin:0px 0px 0px 40px;border:none;padding:0px"><div><div><h2 style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px;margin:0px 0px 0.5em;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;line-height:1.3em;color:rgb(45,45,45)"><font size="4" face="arial, sans-serif">Getting by on Windows 7</font></h2></div></div><div><p style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px 0px 25px;vertical-align:baseline;line-height:1.6em;color:rgb(45,45,45)"><font face="arial, sans-serif">Running Windows 7 in 2020 likely means that there may be other aspects of your PC that could use a tune-up, especially when it comes to security. If you can't upgrade right away, here is a list of priorities:</font></p></div></blockquote><div><ul style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px;margin:0px 0px 40px 20px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;list-style-position:initial;color:rgb(45,45,45)"><ul><li style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;line-height:1.5em"><font face="arial, sans-serif">Ensure you have a complete backup, ideally more than one; one of which stays offline or in the cloud, such as <a href="https://www.backblaze.com/cloud-backup.html#af9pup" style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(30,115,190);text-decoration:none" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Backblaze</a>.</font></li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;line-height:1.5em"><font face="arial, sans-serif">Use a highly rated antivirus program. <a href="https://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/internet-security.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(30,115,190);text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Bitdefender</a> is a good choice for Windows 7 and up. Manually run a complete system scan.</font></li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;line-height:1.5em"><font face="arial, sans-serif">Don't use Internet Explorer. <a href="https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-it-pro-blog/the-perils-of-using-internet-explorer-as-your-default-browser/ba-p/331732" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(30,115,190);text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Here's why.</a> Chrome is fine, but Firefox offers much better privacy and tracking protection.</font></li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;line-height:1.5em"><font face="arial, sans-serif">Keep your wireless router's firmware up to date.</font></li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;line-height:1.5em"><font face="arial, sans-serif">Use a standard account (as opposed to an administrator account) for everyday tasks, while switching temporarily to an administrator account when needed. Make sure your administrator account has a strong password. This would be a good time to upgrade to a quality <a href="https://1password.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(30,115,190);text-decoration:none" target="_blank">password manager</a> if you haven't already.</font></li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;line-height:1.5em"><font face="arial, sans-serif">Disable or remove features you don’t need, especially Java, Adobe Flash Player, and add-ons of questionable utility. <a href="https://shouldiremoveit.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(30,115,190);text-decoration:none" target="_blank">ShouldIRemoveIt</a> is a great resource.</font></li></ul></ul><div><p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:12px;line-height:normal;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(122,122,122);min-height:14px"><span></span><br></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:12px;line-height:normal;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(122,122,122);min-height:14px"><span></span><br></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial"><span>— — —</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:12px;line-height:normal;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span><b>Zach Fried</b></span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:12px;line-height:normal;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(85,26,139)"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><a href="https://peoplefirst.tech/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"><b>PeopleFirst Technology</b><span><b></b></span></a></span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(96,96,96)"><span>Human-Focused Consulting </span></p>
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<p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:12px;line-height:normal;font-family:Helvetica"><span>By Appointment:</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:10px;line-height:normal;font-family:Helvetica"><span>409 Main Street, Suite 214</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:10px;line-height:normal;font-family:Helvetica"><span>Amherst, MA 01002</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:10px;line-height:normal;font-family:Helvetica"><span>zach@peoplefirst.tech</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:10px;line-height:normal;font-family:Helvetica"><span>(413) 461-0617</span></p></div></div></div></div>
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