Windows 7 is a Burden!

[kyonides]

Windows 7 bug prevents users from
shutting down or rebooting computers

Did you even think that keep using Windows 7 was a great idea? Let me tell you that you've missed something important here... You underestimated Windows ability to annoy you the most when you need it the least.

You don't have permission to shutdown this computer!

Even if it's your very own computer, you can't just turn if off at will anymore. It seems Windows 7 knows better than anybody else when you should shutdown your PC.

Short article
https://www.linuxexperten.com/news/windows-7-eol-bug

Lengthy article
https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-7-...computers/

Last month, Microsoft made an exception to this rule when it provided a fix for a bug that broke wallpaper display for Windows 7 users.

I wonder if MS's update didn't cause this novel bug in the first place.  

For the meanwhile... You're on your own, guys!

[DerVVulfman]

How about posting the workarounds? That would help.....

The temporary workaround

A simple workaround was found by a user on Reddit. The workaround doesn't require any scripting or OS system hacks, and could be executed by any Windows 7 user.

The downside is that they have to go through these steps every time they wish to shut down or reboot their PCs.

Step 1: Create another admin account.
Step 2: Log into that account (or another admin account that was already on the system).
Step 3: Log back into the default admin account.
Step 4: Shut down or reboot normally.

"This isn't a solution tho, just a workaround," the user warned on Reddit.

The unofficial fix

A more permanent way to go around this bug has been put forward by several users on Reddit and by IT support firm Quick Heal.

The fix has been confirmed to work by numerous users and goes like this:

Step 1: Press Windows+R to open the Run window.
Step 2: Type gpedit.msc and press Enter.
Step 3: In the Group Policy Editor window go to: Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > Security Options.
Step 4: In the right panel of the Security Options option,search and double-click on "User Account Control: Run all administrators in Admin Approval Mode."
Step 5: In the new window, select Enable.
Step 6: Reopen the Run window, but this time type "gpupdate /force" and press Enter. This will update all group policies.
Step 7: Restart or shut down your system normally.

[kyonides]

The former method is quite burdensome indeed. Most people would just ditch it.
Concerning the latter... Well, you could do follow those steps and help admins shut it down or reboot it. What about the average user? Not everyone sets an admin account or families would prefer to keep the admin account out of their children's reach.
I can't even imagine what enterprises might be going through right now unless MS already provided them with the patch (available for them as part of their extended technical support plan).

[Steel Beast 6Beets]

That really sounds like a mayor pain in the neck.

I'm still using Windows 7 since my computer is old to the point that it doesn't meet the minimal requirements for Windows 10. Due to other issues, I prefer to suspend my PC rather than shutting it off, though.

[KDC]

I'm starting to think that the modern day Microsoft is slacking off.

[Lord Vectra]

I still have Windows 7 and mine works perfectly.

[kyonides]

I wonder if LV didn't apply any of the above mentioned patches... that could explain why he hasn't been getting in troubles.

[kyonides]

Hospitals Running Medical Equipment
Based on Windows 7 Are at Risk!

 

The articles mention that hospitals and clinics usually work with obsolete equipment that still run Windows 7, an OS that is no longer supported by MS. It means they have a vulnerability exploited by malware better known as BlueKeep. What's the heck is that?  

BlueKeep is a vulnerability in Microsoft's Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) service which was discovered last year and impacts Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2008.

BlueKeep, a remote code execution vulnerability, can be manipulated to become a worm!

You gotta know that MS had issued a patch for BlueKeep after it came to light in May 2019.

As you might already know, RDP lets you access other devices, manage them and show its contents and running apps on your screen. If it's hacked, then your private data and the hospital's are easy prey for anybody who could publish that or sell it to third parties or blackmail you in case you don't wanna let other people know anything about it. There's also a high potential risk of showing incorrect medical information that could end up in a bad diagnosis and even the deceases of several patients.

Short Article
https://www.linuxexperten.com/news/medic...g-bluekeep
Lengthy Article
https://www.zdnet.com/article/cybersecur...-bluekeep/

Even if they were using a newer version of Windows, even up to 10, the DejaBlue famility of RDP vulnerabilities could be affecting them.

I really hope hospitals upgrade or renew their devices or OS's ASAP!

[KDC]

That.... might actually be an issue. Since they still use Windows 7, that means that the programs they use might not be compatible to Windows 10.

[kyonides]

Nah, most programs might have serious compatibility issues depending on the DLL's they had been compiled against unless they include all of them in their installations already. Some might just need some changes in their properties settings. Others might need to be patched or updated or recompiled against newer DLL's.