32bit Windows 7 malware protection

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Kiwifruta

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#251431 25-Jun-2019 13:42

Hi everyone.

I'm helping someone out with their 32 bit Windows 7 laptop.

They complained that it was locking up a bit, I haven't witnessed this myself. So far, I've

1) applied 6 years of windows updates

2) upgraded the RAM from 2GB to 4GB (maximum possible on the hardware and naturally the OS)

3) ran full system file check. Came back that everything is fine

4) changed the user accounts to local ones and created an administrator account. Pointed the DNS to Cisco (formerly OpenDNS)

5) There are about half a dozen anti-malware applications installed, some start at windows start up and others don't.

So I'd like to strip it back to just one anti-malware application, as I've heard that having more than one can be problematic in terms of protection and also performance.

What recommendations do you have? Free and paid.

I've advised the owner that Windows 7 won't be supported from January 2020 onwards and Windows 10 is $200. My recommendation was to sell the laptop and buy a new one, but she didn't want to do that.

Cheers

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billgates

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#2264056 25-Jun-2019 13:51

If the CPU is 32bit support only then it sounds like a very laptop already and spending $200 on a 32bit Windows 10 OS upgrade will be waste of money. Better off to just buy a new laptop with SSD, 8GB RAM and Windows 10 included. As you already know that Windows 7 support will end January 2020, they should upgrade to an supported OS on supported hardware. You could look at Microsoft Security Essentials for free AV if there is a 32bit version but honestly if they want to stay on an unsupported OS with ancient hardware then I would not bother helping them any further as they will always be a pain to deal with and they only get more issues with malware and software down the track specially if the device will be connected to the internet. They will keep calling you around and waste your time even more.

Do whatever you want to do man.

Kiwifruta

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#2264062 25-Jun-2019 13:59

Agreed. It’s not something I do regularly, just known as that I.T. guy in one circle that I mix in. I take your warning, so when I return the laptop I’ll tell her that I won’t support it anymore. The laptop was originally running Windows Vista.

xpd

Trash bandit
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#2264081 25-Jun-2019 14:25

Personally, I run either Windows Defender + MalwareBytes, or Avast + Malwarebytes.

Malwarebytes concentrates on malware, where as AV packages can miss a lot of malware/adware related items.

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Kiwifruta

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#2264083 25-Jun-2019 14:26

Thanks. I’ll check them out.

SpartanVXL

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#2264230 25-Jun-2019 15:55

You can also still ‘upgrade’ windows 7 to 10 for free given you have a valid license for the former. This will however wipe the install so backups are recommended for migrating your friend. Might be a good thing as it will get rid of a bunch of junk. Aside from that its maybe replacing with an ssd, but maybe not worth on old hardware.

Kiwifruta

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#2264275 25-Jun-2019 16:14

SpartanVXL: You can also still ‘upgrade’ windows 7 to 10 for free given you have a valid license for the former. This will however wipe the install so backups are recommended for migrating your friend. Might be a good thing as it will get rid of a bunch of junk. Aside from that its maybe replacing with an ssd, but maybe not worth on old hardware.

Unfortunately, she doesn’t have the OS discs.

SpartanVXL

843 posts

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#2264328 25-Jun-2019 17:56

The license is valid no? Given that you recently updated it I would think it is. Do the in-place upgrade from 7 to 10, no discs required. Just an internet connection and patience.

Kiwifruta

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#2264350 25-Jun-2019 18:20

SpartanVXL: The license is valid no? Given that you recently updated it I would think it is. Do the in-place upgrade from 7 to 10, no discs required. Just an internet connection and patience.

Okay, I’ll look for that. Thank you!

yitz

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#2264355 25-Jun-2019 18:30

I wouldn't bother with an upgrade to 32-bit Windows 10...

Kiwifruta

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#2264357 25-Jun-2019 18:33

yitz:
I wouldn't bother with an upgrade to 32-bit Windows 10...

What’s the reason you feel that way?

yitz

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#2264362 25-Jun-2019 18:42

I feel it would almost cancel out the benefits of the main memory (RAM) upgrade.

Also it might take an age compared to a clean install of the 64-bit OS.

coffeebaron

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#2264374 25-Jun-2019 19:20

Budget upgrade would be to put a new SSD drive in with a fresh install of Windows 10. You can use the Windows 7 key to activate this. You can also install 64bit version of Windows 10. If there is no Windows 7 key label, you can use something like Magical Jellybean key finder or similar to extract the Windows 7 license key.

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Technofreak

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#2264658 25-Jun-2019 21:14

Soooo, I have a 64 bit i5-3317U 1.7 Ghz processor, 8 GB of Ram with a 256 GB SSD running Win 7 Home Premium. What benefits (if any) will I get from installing Windows 10?

I resisted the upgrade when Win 10 was released as I didn't want any issues. I wasn't impressed with Win 8 and wasn't convinced Win 10 was going to be much better. Also at that time I couldn't be bothered finding a replacement for Windows Media Player which I understand is not part of Win 10.

I don't need to be told about the end of support from MS. So far as I'm concerned I can manage the effects of that when the time comes.

I'm curious as to what improvements I would get? I'm quite happy with Win 7 but if there was some benefits I would consider upgrading, otherwise I'll sit tight.

Finally to answer the OP's question, all I use is Microsoft Security Essentials - It just works.

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lNomNoml

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#2264667 25-Jun-2019 21:33

Kiwifruta:

I've advised the owner that Windows 7 won't be supported from January 2020 onwards and Windows 10 is $200.

Why? you can still upgrade to Windows 10 for free.

sbiddle

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#2264714 26-Jun-2019 05:38

Windows 7 - Windows 10 is a free update.

Microsoft don't say this but I've personally upgraded 3 or 4 machines recently that have all activated fine.

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