this post was submitted on 19 Feb 2026
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Wait, I don't even know what I'm using, it might be one of those. First they bring in AI without having to opt in, hiding any opt out part, now they quit supporting old windows?
I am afraid if trying to switch to linux it doesn't work, but I need to. If you can't download new os software because you deleted windows and the stuff you had didn't work what are you going to do? My computer doesn't even take cd's. Computers sold around 2020 are shit.
That's not too surprising, since Microsoft stopped supporting it earlier this year.
Not much point supporting an OS the manufacturer no longer updates in any capacity. Similar to how Firefox no longer supports Windows XP or Vista.
You can still use the old version, they're just not going to bring the newer ones to Windows 7, or fix issues for it.
So you have no idea which OS you are running? Well, that's certainly a choice.
I think it's 7, idk. I know microsoft was trying to get me to upgrade to a newer version for free a couple of years ago and I told them no.
If you’re doing anything private on that computer, like social media, banking, cell phone payments, you need to get an operating system that gets current security updates. Windows 7 has not had security updates in 6 years. Malware, ransomware, etc have had 6 years to break Windows 7. Look at Linux Mint, it is a popular distributor, that many find to be a good bridge to get you up and running.
Most Linux distributions offer a “live CD” experience (does not actually have to be on a CD nowadays; you can use a USB drive). Basically when the computer turns on you tell it to boot off the USB drive instead of the drive in the computer. That way you can try it out on your computer before installing it and see if it works out of the box for you with its defaults. It will probably be a little slower running off a USB drive. I don’t think you can typically install additional programs or save things to the computer (someone more experienced might chime in), but you can try doing basic things like using the web browser or word processor.
Never ever have only a single computer ready. You need a fallback to get access to help/interne and create Boot-sticks with it, just in case your primary device breaks . (doesn't matter weather Linux, BSD, Windows, Mac...)
My main one broke, the cursor and keyboard stopped responding and startup repair can't be activated without the cursor and or keyboard. All I have is my backup, and it's a piece of shit compared to the other that is admittedly quite old by now. I've a phone too.
Are you able to get a usb mouse and keyboard to plug in?
I sometimes wonder how people like these can go through life.