微软(Microsoft)最近正式宣布Windows 7 生命周期结束，自 2020 年(Windows 7 end of life)1 月 14(January 14)日起生效。这意味着他们将不再提供Windows 7支持。继续使用Windows 7将使您的计算机面临漏洞和安全威胁的风险。
本文将介绍您在Windows 7生命周期结束时的一些替代选项。
升级到 Windows 10(Upgrade To Windows 10)
尽管仍有很多人在使用Windows 7，但最终他们将不得不转向更安全的操作系统 (OS)。
升级过程相对容易，因为微软(Microsoft)制作了这两个版本。许多为早期版本的Windows创建的程序和应用程序仍然可以运行，并且会自动更新(will update automatically)。
但是，某些较旧的应用程序可能需要更新(need to be updated)或根本无法运行。
Windows建议按照您的预期升级到Windows 10 。不过，免费升级已于 2019 年7 月 26 日(July 26)结束。现在用户必须购买完整版软件或购买预装Windows 10的新设备。
您的计算机必须满足以下要求才能运行Windows 10：
- Windows 7 SPI或Windows 8.1 更新(Update)的最新版本（找出您正在运行的位版本(find out which bit version you are running)）。
- 1GHz 处理器或更快。
- 1GB RAM（32 位）或 2GB RAM（64 位）。
- 16GB 硬盘空间用于 32 位操作系统或 20GB 用于 64 位操作系统。
- (DirectX 9)带有WDDM 1.0(WDDM 1.0)驱动程序的DirectX 9显卡或更高版本。
- 屏幕分辨率为 800 x 600 或更高。
如何升级到 Windows 10(How To Upgrade to Windows 10)
首先，您需要通过Microsoft或授权零售商购买Windows 10许可证。(Windows 10)
如果您通过Microsoft购买，您可以使用USB选项或使用 ISO 文件下载操作系统(download the OS using an ISO file)。
如果您的Internet(Internet)连接不够稳定，无法处理 4GB 下载，USB选项是一个不错的选择。Microsoft会将包含Windows 10的(Windows 10)U(USB)盘邮寄到您的家中。
使用媒体创建工具升级到 Windows 10(Upgrade To Windows 10 Using The Media Creation Tool)
如果您没有订购U(USB)盘，请使用此流程。购买Windows 10(Windows 10)许可证后，请按照以下步骤安装并激活它。
下载(Download)适用于您的体系结构（32 位或 64 位）和语言的ISO文件。(ISO)将ISO(ISO)文件解压到本地文件系统、可移动驱动器，或将其刻录到DVD。
要将ISO安装文件提取到可移动USB存储设备，您可以使用解压缩应用程序，例如7zip。将文件内容提取到现有Windows 操作系统(Windows OS)中本地驱动器上的文件夹中。
请注意，如果您想获得保留所有文件和应用程序的选项，最好从Windows 7启动该过程。
如果您从USB驱动器或DVD进行(DVD)Windows 10的全新安装，您将看不到此选项，并且您的文件和应用程序将丢失。
通过运行setup.exe(setup.exe)开始升级。
Windows 将引导您完成安装过程。第一个建议是下载驱动程序、更新和其他可选功能。您应该接受这些选项以帮助确保成功升级。
- 选择您的 Windows 版本。
- 阅读并接受许可条款。
- Windows 的默认安装配置是保留您的应用程序和文件。
- 单击安装。(Install.)
完成安装需要几分钟时间。您可以在Windows 10(Windows 10)上与Windows 7上相同的位置找到您的应用程序和文件夹。
切换到 Linux(Switch To Linux)
尽管Microsoft不同意，但升级到Windows 10并不是您唯一的选择。更改为 Linux 操作系统(Changing to a Linux operating system)是一种可行的选择。
许多Linux用户认为它是Windows 7的最佳替代品之一。您可能想要进行切换的一些原因包括：
- 比Windows(Windows)更不容易受到恶意软件和病毒的攻击。
- Linux 是免费的。
- 更快(Faster)、更安全、更兼容的支持和维护。
- 如果您愿意，可以更好地控制您的系统。
- 随附各种预装软件，并通过专用的软件包管理器或软件安装工具访问更多软件。
- Linux更新使您的系统更快，释放空间，并且很少需要重新启动。
如何用 Linux 替换 Windows 7(How To Replace Windows 7 With Linux)
在您做任何事情之前，请备份您的所有数据。接下来(Next)，选择您要使用的Linux发行版。(Linux)2020 年一些最受欢迎的 Linux 发行版包括：(popular Linux distributions)
- Ubuntu
- Linux 薄荷糖
- 基本操作系统
- 流行！_OS
- 佐林操作系统
- MX Linux
许多发行版将允许用户使用从USB引导的Live选项来查看它是如何工作的。如果你喜欢它，你可以将它安装在你的系统或 VirtualBox(install it on your system or in a VirtualBox)中。我们将在本文中使用Ubuntu 。
要在将 Ubuntu 安装到您的系统之前试用Ubuntu，请首先转到Ubuntu 下载页面(Ubuntu download page)并单击Try Ubuntu。
如果您喜欢Ubuntu的工作方式并准备安装它，请单击安装 Ubuntu(Install Ubuntu )并按照安装向导进行操作。这个过程很简单。
选择(Choose)用Linux替换Windows 7，但请记住，您的所有应用程序和文件都将被删除。如上所述，在做任何事情之前，请先备份您的系统。
留下 Windows 并切换到 Mac(Leave Windows Behind & Switch To Mac)
Windows 7 生命周期结束可能是您从 Windows 切换到 Mac的一个很好的理由。Apple享有盛誉的原因有很多，包括：
- 不需要司机。
- 新版本是免费的。
- 多元化的 Apple 生态系统。
- 大多数 Windows 程序也可用于Mac。
是否选择迁移到Mac是个人喜好问题。虽然苹果(Apple)产品确实比微软(Microsoft)产品更贵，但它们的老化程度也更好。因此，即使您在前期花费更多的钱，一台新的Mac也会比一台新的Windows机器更耐用。
无论您选择哪个选项来结束Windows 7的生命周期，都可以安全地备份您的所有文档、文件和图像。如果您决定继续使用Windows 7，则必须认识到您正在使您的计算机面临安全威胁的风险。
帮助我们的HDG读者。您能否提出任何其他重要的 Windows 7 停产提示(Life)？
How To Get Ready For Windows 7 End Of Life
Microsoft recently officially announced Windows 7 end of life, effective January 14, 2020. This means they will no longer offer Windows 7 support. Continuing to use Windows 7 moving forward will put your computer at risk for vulnerabilities and security threats.
This article will address some of your alternative options at Windows 7 end of life.
Upgrade To Windows 10
Although there are still many people using Windows 7, eventually they will have to move to a more secure operating system (OS).
The upgrade process is relatively easy because Microsoft made both versions. Many programs and apps created for earlier versions of Windows will still work and will update automatically.
However, some older applications may need to be updated or may not work at all.
Windows recommends upgrading to Windows 10 as you would expect. However, the free upgrade ended on July 26, 2019. Now users must either purchase a full version of the software or buy a new device pre-installed with Windows 10.
Your computer must meet the following requirements to be able to run Windows 10:
- The latest version of either Windows 7 SPI or Windows 8.1 Update (find out which bit version you are running).
- 1GHz processor or faster.
- 1GB RAM (32-bit) or 2GB RAM (64-bit).
- 16GB hard drive space for 32-bit OS or 20GB for 64-bit OS.
- DirectX 9 graphics card or later with WDDM 1.0 driver.
- A screen resolution of 800 by 600 or higher.
How To Upgrade to Windows 10
First, you need to purchase a Windows 10 license either through Microsoft or an authorized retailer.
If you purchase through Microsoft, you can either use the USB option or download the OS using an ISO file.
The USB option is a good choice if your Internet connection isn’t stable enough to handle a 4GB download. Microsoft will mail a USB stick containing Windows 10 to your home.
Upgrade To Windows 10 Using The Media Creation Tool
Use this process if you did not order a USB stick. After you have purchased your license of Windows 10, follow the steps below to install and activate it.
Download the ISO file for your architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) and language. Extract the ISO file to your local file system, removable drive, or burn it to a DVD.
To extract the ISO installation files to a removable USB storage device, you can use an unzip app such as 7zip. Extract the file contents to a folder on your local drive in your existing Windows OS.
Note that if you want to get an option to keep all your files and apps, it’s best to initiate the process from Windows 7.
If you do a clean install of Windows 10 from a USB drive or DVD, you will not see this option, and your files and apps will be lost.
Start the upgrade by running setup.exe.
Windows will walk you through the installation process. The first recommendation is to download drivers, updates, and other optional features. You should accept these options to help ensure a successful upgrade.
- Select your edition of Windows.
- Read and accept the license terms.
- Windows’ default install configuration is to keep your apps and files.
- Click Install.
It will take several minutes for your installation to complete. You can find your apps and folders in the same locations on Windows 10 as they were on Windows 7.
Switch To Linux
Although Microsoft would disagree, upgrading to Windows 10 is not your only option. Changing to a Linux operating system is a viable alternative.
Many Linux users consider it to be one of the best alternatives to Windows 7. Some of the reasons you might want to make the switch include:
- Less vulnerable to malware and viruses than Windows.
- Linux is free.
- Faster, more secure and compatible support and maintenance.
- More control over your system if you choose.
- Comes with a wide range of pre-installed software and access to more through a dedicated package manager or software installation tool.
- Linux updates make your system faster, free up space, and rarely require a reboot.
How To Replace Windows 7 With Linux
Before you do anything, back up all your data. Next, choose which Linux distribution you want to use. Some of the most popular Linux distributions for 2020 include:
- Ubuntu
- Linux Mint
- elementary OS
- Pop!_OS
- Zorin OS
- MX Linux
Many distributions will enable users to use a Live option booted from a USB to see how it works. If you like it, you can then install it on your system or in a VirtualBox. We will use Ubuntu for this article.
To try Ubuntu before installing it on your system, start by going to the Ubuntu download page and clicking on Try Ubuntu.
If you like how Ubuntu works and are ready to install it, click on Install Ubuntu and follow the installation wizard. The process is straightforward.
Choose to replace Windows 7 with Linux, but remember that all your apps and files will be erased. As mentioned above, before doing anything, back up your system first.
Leave Windows Behind & Switch To Mac
Windows 7 end of life could be a good reason for you to switch from Windows to Mac. Apple has enjoyed an excellent reputation for many reasons, including:
- Not needing drivers.
- New versions are free.
- A diverse Apple ecosystem.
- Most Windows programs are also available for Mac.
Whether you choose to move to Mac is a matter of personal preference. While it is true that Apple products tend to be more expensive than Microsoft products, they also age better. So, even if you spend more money upfront, a new Mac will last you longer than a new Windows machine.
Whichever option you choose to move ahead from Windows 7 end of life, safely backup all your documents, files, and images. If you decide to stay with Windows 7, it’s essential to recognize that you are putting your computer at risk for security threats.
Help our HDG readers out. Can you suggest any other important Windows 7 End of Life tips?
