Windows 7 is fine
If you are using Windows 7, you are likely aware that it is approaching End of Support. Microsoft is using this opportunity to continue their push for Windows 10. They have a variety of reasons for this. From the obvious financial benefits (as they are selling it), to the streamlining of support (lower variety in issues), not to mention the more controversial (what happens with the data they collect). But it is not necessary to stop using Windows 7 anytime soon.
What ‘End of Support’ means
When January 14, 2020 rolls around, Microsoft will no longer support Windows 7 (unless you are ‘special’ and pay them extra, but as that doesn’t include the average user, I’m ignoring that). Which means no more updates and fixes (mostly).
This does not mean anything will stop working, just that when problems are found they won’t be fixed. To be fair, for a problem to be found means it already exists. And has not been found (and fixed) in the decade since windows 7 was released.
Unfortunately, there are almost certainly such security flaws. If computer history has shown us anything, it’s that we can’t make secure consumer software. When previous versions of windows reached their ‘End of Support’, serious flaws were found shortly thereafter.
Precedent with Windows XP
Windows XP reached this same point on April 8, 2014. Microsoft officially announced no more updates. Yet one was released as recently as May 2019, five years after that announcement. And this was not the only update released for Windows XP since 2014. They have just been few and far between.
Presumably Windows 7 will follow the same pattern. Which is to say: flaws publicized shortly after the January 14 date is reached, and every few years one big enough that another update is issued.
What this means for the End User
Come January 14, if you use Windows 7, don’t expect anymore help from Microsoft. You’re on your own. In one sense, since the End User (ie you) is the weakest link in security, this is really nothing new. So if you have good habits you should be fine, if not… Well you are going to have problems with whatever operating system you use.
Some will push upgrading by pointing out how you become more vulnerable the longer you are on an out of support system. This isn’t exactly true, you are just as vulnerable the last day of support as you are a year later. The same flaws will be in play. What changes is that, as time goes by, the flaws become better known, and because of that, easier to exploit.
Which is where it all comes down to your personal preference on risk management, the hassles of upgrading versus the risk of staying. Windows 7 has the pro of being known and familiar, with the con of inevitably having unpatched issues. Windows 10 has the pro of receiving patches for those issues, while requiring some degree of effort to upgrade.
Suggested Actions
For home users, it probably doesn’t matter. Use whatever system you are most comfortable with. Yes, a targeted attack will get you, but odds are low you’ll be targeted.
For small/medium organizations, consider your risk carefully. Maybe upgrade some of your systems, maybe plan a gradual shift, maybe focus more on training and keep what you have.
For large organizations, switch to a flavor of Linux. The upgrade/conversion hassles will be similar enough to Windows 10, and the end system should lower your chance of exploit considerably.
More Important Then Windows
Regardless of what you do about Windows, here are some general good practices you should follow:
Backup. Have a backup plan, automate it as much as possible, and periodically test it.
Router. Keep your systems behind a Router, as it offers a good first line of defense.
Not Admin. Don’t run as Admin unless you have to. If you are ever compromised, this limits the amount of damage that can be done.
Update (Not Upgrade). Upgrades may cause a variety of issues, so defer those. But keep any and all internet facing software updated. For most people that’s your web browser, but you may have others.
Browse Safely. Use a browser that supports blocking junk. Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox both support uBlock Origin, which is a quick/simple tool to minimize the amount of junk on the internet.
Backup. Yes, I already mentioned this, but it’s that important. If you have a good backup it allows you to recover from pretty much everything else. If you don’t, but do everything else right? Your computer will still eventually die.
Mileage may vary
In the end, I can’t tell you what to do. You’ll have to make that decision for yourself. Personally, I upgrade when programs I want to use make it necessary. Not when the system wants me to. So I’ll likely be on Windows 7 until the latest versions of the programs I rely on stop running on it, or some amazing new program comes along.
For whatever it’s worth, I posted this using Windows XP. The operating system is just the platform the tools sit upon. Like tires on a car, so long as it does the job, who cares how old it is.