Windows 7 Laptop - Security

[ameerat42]

I've been asked to get an older laptop running Win 7 secure for the Internet.
It has about-to-expire McAfee's security suite and I'm wondering if Win 7 will
run Windows Defender. I know about MWBytes, etc, but I'm wondering if WD
will be as effective on Win 7 as it is on Win 10.

I've found this page from MS (https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/help/18869/windows-7-security-essentials-product-information), updated 19 April 2019, which seems to indicate
it would be OK, but I guess I'm looking for some real experience.

(Yes, the person for whom... want to keep Win 7.)

Ta.

- - - Updated - - -

More info: Win 7 Home Premium SP1 Build 7601.

- - - Updated - - -

---And in addition to the security, it has only 2GB RAM, I found this from a specs sheet:
Memory: 2GB DDR3 (1066MHz) expandable to 4GBRAM
Slot allocation: One slot used, One slot free

To upgrade to its maximum 4GB, does this mean I need to use one 4GB stick only, or can I
have 2 x 2GB sticks?

[John King]

Am, I run both Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium simultaneously on Win7 Pro 64 bit PCs.

I can understand them wanting to keep Win7 ... So do I ... :nod: .

[ameerat42]

Ta, JK. So it runs! Which do you use for a firewall?

Also, any ideas about the RAM question?

[Bensch]

If it has two slots, you should be able to use 2 x 2GB.

Depending on the model laptop, some of them have a small plate on the underside that you can remove to access the RAM.
If this is so, perhaps open it up and confirm the spare slot before purchasing any additional RAM.

[John King]

Ta, JK. So it runs! Which do you use for a firewall?

Windows Firewall. Plus the modem/router firewall. Plus MWB Premium does a pretty good imitation of acting as a firewall. Any attempt to navigate to a suspect site gets you an error message, I discovered, and MWB deletes the URL entry from the history list. Nice touch, that last bit.


Also, any ideas about the RAM question?

Some laptops use different chip/s for main and expanded memory slots. It can be a real PITA to get matching ones (last time I did this, it took about two hours at the computer store ... ). It may even be necessary to buy 4GB if the existing chip timing (etc) cannot be matched. Taking the laptop to the store with you is essential IMNSHO. Same goes for any other device needing fast memory chips. Took about 4-5 attempts to get 1333 MHz/DDR3 chips that worked in some older MBs I was modernising. Timing is everything.

Recently bought 2x 8GB chips for my brother's PC to replace his original 2x 4GB chips. Wonder of wonders, both sets worked fine together (same brand - Kingston - and nominal timing, but not the same part number series. To buy identical chips, 2x 4GB DDR3, to his original ones would have cost slightly more than the two 8GB chips!), so he now has 24 GB RAM, and his RAM is (very) slightly faster, so no timing hit. Sometimes one wins ... :nod: :D.

[ameerat42]

Ta, Bensch. I did that first off and confirmed it has two slots. One is occupied with a 2GB stick.
Surprisingly, this machine is fairly fast for its configuration and age.

Ta, JK. I had some suspicions along what you said about the RAM.

That's good about the WD firewall. In this case there is no modem-router as such but a phone hotspot
when the person wants to use the computer (instead of phone) to go online.

[Ross the fiddler]

Putting in this effort for Win7 seems a little futile since MS will be ending support for it in January next year, although I haven't been able to get any updates for my laptop for a while now & if I try to check for updates it just hangs, so I've given up. I'll possibly just get a PC tower (with Win10) for home as I rarely take my laptop anywhere anyhow.

[ameerat42]

Ta, and that info is partly what I was looking for. I will look it up and check its implications for security.
Trubble is, it's not mine to do that with just outright.

[ronanroger]

I also searching for the same information.I also using windows 7 system.I also using Asus router for my internet connection but after windows defender activate asus router login not working (https://babasupport.org/asus/cant-login-asus-router/).I could not understand the problem.I need a proper solution for that problem.