Replies

Interesting article, but I’d haste to add that automatic logouts should also be implemented during forced 2-step authentication. I agree that it’s an absolute must for anything sensitive, like banking, but too many people will just stay logged in when we make it too difficult to log in.

Now do an article on fake reviews, please.

And one on the reason why every app seems to want to be updated pretty much every day. (Spoiler: to increase the number of downloads and make sure it looks like it’s constantly being updated — though how important is each one of those updates?)

Thanks, Brian! (I really mean it.)

1 user thanked author for this post.

Cybertooth

I second this. Having been burned so many times in the past, I tend to check out the change log before accepting any major update. What I read about 89 led me straight to ESR.

I really like extended release versions, as I no longer feel like spending days or weeks trying to fix what is either wrong or not to my liking on my WORK computer. Same reason why I opted to go to Linux Mint when Windows lost me. I’m still on 19.3 and totally happy with the regular SECURITY-only updates.

New features? Come on, everything has pretty much plateaued, and so much in the hard- and software world is now only driven by profit and built-in obsolescence.

3 users thanked author for this post.

Microfix, Alex5723, WSdatabaseben

Never mind. I just discovered this thread:

https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/some-anti-virus-suggestions-for-win-7/

and will study it + post there. Over and out here.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Elly

I’d like to reanimate this thread. How are everyone’s AV solutions now, a few months after Win7 EoS?

We bought a multi-year AVG Internet Security subscription last year at a ridiculous price, but we might have to abandon it. It’s still working fine and still supports Win7 (cf. linked list of support length above), but over the past few months the drag on our systems has been getting worse. Eventviewer entries show it’s AVG slowing down shutdowns and starts. We sped up boot time by delaying its start and setting boot scan to the most minimal (we don’t engage in risky surfing behavior).

This experience is the same on our two systems:
1. PC built by me in 2008, still going strong (double boot with Linux Mint 19.3, my main boot now) with Win7 Home 64 bit, upgraded 2 years ago with a system SSD.

2. 19 month old HP laptop with super specs, large SSD, used to boot within 3 seconds, shut down in 3 seconds, now both processes extended to 30+ seconds.

Tested both systems by uninstalling AVG and both were very snappy again. Messed with AVG settings, but couldn’t get it to “behave.”

We’re urgently looking for an alternative. AVG might still support Win7 but maybe its focus on Win10 makes it sluggish for Win7? No clue. Just know we’re not happy.

Surprised no-one answered your question about the free password manager, Chessie. For convenience sake and if you have more than one device to share your passwords (or other person in your household), I’d still recommend Lastpass. It’s in the cloud, yes, but I’ve been trusting it ever since it came onto the market and haven’t been disappointed yet.

When they upped their prices, after being bought by LogMeIn, I looked around for other solutions, but none were as smooth. The free version also allows you to share passwords with someone (it’s easier with a family account, but not worth the high price). You just have to share them one-by-one.

Let me know if you have more questions about Lastpass. (I only found your post today.)

Well… thanks all for your input. Good news: the May updates didn’t make it worse!

After analyzing the shutdown process I found the culprit: Turns out it was that darn AVG + AVG TuneUp. Kicked TuneUp off the system and was half-way there. Completely un- and reinstalled AVG and that did it.

In case anyone’s wondering: I’m ready to get rid of AVG — I have still 2 years on a license, but it was on sale, so maybe the savings aren’t worth the grey hairs I get! It used to already be a drag on the system last year, but methinks they’ve switched focus to Win10 and don’t give a toss about its performance on Win7 anymore. (I have the super-duper level, can’t recall what’s it called; am currently on my Linux Mint boot which just makes me happy because there’s no drag. :))

2 users thanked author for this post.

Elly, Cybertooth

Thank you, Cybertooth, for your response. And for making me realize I didn’t word my post quite the right way: our slow shutdown is now always; it wasn’t just during installing the updates.  I can deal with a one-time slow shutdown and, frankly, don’t really care how long my PC takes to shut down, because I just walk away. But my wife is ready to chuck her previously super speedy, quite new laptop out the window.

I’ve been checking the eventviewer and can see that there are quite a few Windows programs hanging for about 3 minutes (esp. explorer and lsass.exe), so I guess I’ll set the weekend aside for this less than pleasant hunt for a solution.

(I wish she could switch to Linux Mint, too, because that is so refreshingly simply working for me! I hadn’t realized there’s an OS out there that actually lets you do things instead of making itself the thing you have to spend/waste time on…)

Thanks for the info. (Even if it’s really not what I wanted to hear…)

Are there any other components that act the same way as IE? As in I think they’re gone/disabled, but turns out they’re only hidden?

I’m sure this has been discussed somewhere, but I can’t find anything. So please bear with me.

Short version: can vulnerabilities in programs / services that are DISABLED put my system at risk?

Long version: I have never had any need for remote access options to my PC and I have banned IE a long time ago. So both of these have been disabled, via services and unchecked windows options. (Same holds true for things like homegroup, service computer browser, sidebar, etc.)

Is there a chance that any vulnerabilities found in those two areas could still affect my system in any way? I’ve seen updates and patches for IE presented via WinUpdate in the past, but I assumed they were there because Micro$oft assumes everyone runs IE, not because I actually needed them.

Thank you VERY much in advance for your help!

 

[4 computers, all running Win7 Home Premium – and not about to change that]