[Gypsytbh]

Im looking into downgrading my Windows 10 pc down to windows 7 i was wondering if the OS will be unsupported by new programs considering its 10 years old at this point
Also sorry if this is in the wrong thread

[ATU/M/ISK]

Windows actually very recently stopped doing updates for Windows 7, which sucks because Windows 7, next to XP, was their best operating system.
It's completely safe to downgrade though.

For example, I run Windows 7 on my gaming desktop and I can still operate every Steam game, Browser, Modifications, Antimalware software and everything else no problem at all.
I reckon the only real threat you'll have if you downgrade is to any Windows 10 "Apps" you might use. Until then, ride Windows 7 until it dies and I'd suggest switching (or dual booting) Linux for anything after that.

Windows 10 isn't great by any means, but it's better than 8 and 8.1, and WAY better than Vista. (submerging your testicles in battery acid is also better, but that's a matter of opinion, really)

[zorrophreak]

Microsoft has also recently said that they will stop supporting Windows 7 as well since its reached the same age-out threshold as XP. Which sucks because those are my two favorite operating systems from Microsoft. However, you should still be able to use Windows 7 pretty well for a while. Along with this, a lot of software is now limited to Windows 10 because of new APIs.

However if you downgrade to W7 you should be fine for a while.

[sunjester]

unless you use your computer for gaming, you should upgrade and install some flavor of Debian.

https://www.debian.org/distrib/

[zorrophreak]

unless you use your computer for gaming, you should upgrade and install some flavor of Debian.

https://www.debian.org/distrib/

I have a laptop I use for everything other than gaming and as you might assume i use a flavor of Linux on it. I don't use Debian because it has always been a pain. I tend to use Red Hat on my network systems but i just setup Arch on my laptop. Kind of a pain in the ass but it tends to work more in my favor in the long run.

[sunjester]

Arch is pretty good, I used Redhat a long time ago and I was running Debian a year or so before Ubuntu came out, now I run Ubuntu (xenial)

[Dismas]

Windows 7 should still be able to run 80% of applications. The main thing you should worry about is that they ceased updating it. That means security flaws and bugs are no longer being patched.

[mothered]

The majority of new applications/programs are backward-compatible, so you won't encounter any major Issues.

Unless a certain update (example, .Net Framework or SP) Is required for an application to function, forget about performing Windows updates- they're not needed. I haven't Installed any for around 15 years. Implement your own security measures and you'll be fine.

[natifix]

I love Windows 7 for Windows concern. I refuse to use 8 or 10.

[mothered]

I love Windows 7 for Windows concern. I refuse to use 8 or 10.

In my view, Windows 7 outperforms Windows 8 & 10, In functionality, stability and responsiveness.

To be honest, to the contrary of what the majority of users may think, I also loved Windows Vista.