this post was submitted on 09 Oct 2023
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I'm running Win7 because I don't wanna fiddle around with Linux as the primary use of my computron is gaming. Steam announced that it will stop running on Win7 starting January 2024. Not sure what I will be doing January 2024 yet, currently trying to decide between Linux and a pirated Win10. Open for suggestions.
Bookmarked, thanks.
Linux support with steam is great. Linux is not what it used to be. It's very user friendly these days, just a bit of a learning curve as things are just done differently.
I came to say this. Steam's Proton is in some black magic fuckery status. It really runs windows games without problems. I had an old laptop which struggled to run windows 10 because telemetry and other shit services and windows update clogging everything, installed Linux and Steam and runs games I already gave up running there. I was very surprised at the fact that Linux gaming is very feasible nowdays. We have a lot to be thankful to steamdecks for.
Yeah, I heard that things have been moving forward a lot on Linux gaming, thanks.
Windows 7? How are you getting your security updates?
I don't. I'm blocking scripts and ads and don't download obvious bait. Security updates are overrated.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but hacks like the WannaCry ransomware attack of 2017 don't even require any user input. They simply require that you haven't updated your computer. The reason so many organizations (including schools and hospitals) got hit with that attack despite Microsoft already having released a patch for it months earlier was because they didn't update their computers.
Tell me you know nothing about cybersecurity without telling me you know nothing about cybersecurity
I'm doing nothing sensitive on that machine, I just play video games there.
I hope you have that machine on a separate VLAN that's completely firewalled, segregated from the rest of your network, with access to the internet but not the rest of your LAN.
Because if it does then other devices on your network would be potentially vulnerable.
I've worked with PC's that are out of support and the company too tightarse to pay for windows updates. The LAN cable was unplugged and you could only access it by physically being on the PC, but it won't work in your instance as you need the internet to play games.
Wow I hope you're not doing your banking on that PC.
Looking at the CVE for windows 7 after January 2020 (end of support)
https://www.cvedetails.com/product/17153/Microsoft-Windows-7.html?vendor_id=26
Doesn't look pretty. Many exploits to give attackers elevation of privileges (administrator to your PC), remote code execution etc.
These don't require you to download "dodgy" software. It happens because parts of the windows source code isn't coded to perfection (as with all software) and then the attackers exploit the code in a way not originally intended by Microsoft.
This risk is elevated when the operating system is out of support because different windows systems share the same code base, so when Microsoft releases security updates and CVE reports to the internet, attackers can read these and find out how to attack unpatched systems even if they did not know about the exploit beforehand.
So it's imperative to apply the patches in a timely manner usually within 24-48 hours after release.
On a side note windows 7 isn't out of support, Microsoft is still releasing patches for it along with XP. Many enterprises have to use these operating systems for compatibility with their software, they are getting the updates because they're paying Microsoft millions of dollars for them. So are you saying that other users of windows 7 are wasting their millions of dollars for "overrated" security updates?
Enterprises don't use their PC exclusively to play video games, I don't think. Maybe they do tho, would explain a lot of hasty decisions.
Linux. But that's my preference. There's no wrong answer. Whichever makes you happy.
You can get legitimate windows 10 using HWID activation, this method was temporarily patched but is now working again.
If you play any games with kernel level anti cheat like Destiny 2 or Fortnite, you will need to go with Win 10. Otherwise, Linux is really easy nowadays. Pick an easy distro like Pop or Mint and you can get into the game pretty easy. Your games that are already installed on NTFS drives can even be easily recognized by Steam with a little work setting up mount points etc
Nah, I'm more into singleplayer games. Multiplayer games I play are pretty much only D2R and maybe at some point PoE/PoE 2 again, but I doubt a kernel-level anti cheat will ever be a thing there.
I'll put Mint and Pop on my watchlist, thanks!
Mint was my first, Pop is my current and fave.
Just remember to check your favorite Steam games on protondb.com to see how well it runs on Linux.
Just a heads up, I'd recommend choosing a distro with the intention of staying there. Distro-hopping can induce rage, I went through it for a four year period when I started 17 years ago. If you do decide to distrohop, backup your home folder so you don't lose anything (you will even keep your steam games installed if you do this)