Is Windows Vista SP2 still usable ?

[Jody Thornton]

You should read through the Windows 10 Forums. That would provide a much more comprehensive take on the issue than I could ever give. They're moving towards the similar practices that Google and Apple are doing. I understand the motivation. I'm just not hot on the direction they're going.

 

[matt4x4]

I just bought 3 codes of OEM Windows 7 from some site online for a total of $100, or ~$30 each.
It had the term geek in its name and I believe I found the link on this forum, anyway, I thought it was legit and they preceived a sense of scarcity by only having W7 Pro 32/64bit available to buy so I bite the bait I figured buy 3 b/c others online want $50, to $100 and some brick and mortor stores wanted $150 for W7. I knew and read about the end of W7 support, but I really have no idea what that means. Its in the same basket of Vista right, because they say the same thing. Vista support will end soon too, but again I have no idea what that means. I figure it just means no more updates sent to my computer. I really have no virus issues, but I am vigilant on what I download. Firefox seems to help on that front too, I dont know how much it helps.

I am currently using Vista 64bit. Just did a fresh reinstall of my OEM Vista, HP desktop. Just want to find info on this Sandbox thing, or other programs like it.

 

[Cammygirl192]

'End of Support' means they will stop issuing official updates.
Think back to 8/4/2014 when XP stopped receiving official updates (I say official because you can hack the registry and get POSReady2009 updates for XP SP3).
So, in April 2017, there will no longer be updates, and we will be more vulnerable, although the last time I received a malware was when I was 10 (so 2012) because my AV is a brain: it's lighter on resources and also has better detection, and can research others' databases

 

[Jody Thornton]

What are you using Cammy Girl? (for AV I mean)

 

[matt4x4]

I am thinking about installing Ubuntu, with a virtual machine. Do you need to buy the o/s to use a virtual machine, and what about the Office suite?

 

[townsbg]

Ubuntu is free and comes with a lot of programs integrated which might include an office suite. Open Office is free and can be installed on Ubuntu.