Is it secure to have another PC on Windows 7 on your network?

MaloK said:

That's a great idea Rick !

Using two routers would only work if

1) The primary router is connected to the secondary router via ethernet from lan port to wan port on secondary router

2) The windows 7 pc would be connected to the primary router

3) All other devices would be connected the secondary router.


Setup like this, the other devices would be behind a NAT firewall. This way the Windows7 device cannot see the others, but the others could see Windows 7 device (you can see upwards through router chain, but not downwards)

The problem with this is you will get increased latency, and if you need to use port forwarding, you would need to do dreaded double port forwarding.

So in my opinion, this is a rather complicated and rather poor solution.

rodion15 said:

My son uses Windows 7 in dual-boot with Windows 10. I know Microsoft is not securing it any more, so my concern is that having a PC on the same network as our other PCs and devices may put all the network at risk.

Should he uninstall Windows 7? Is this compromising our other devices, online banking, the SOHO router, etc, even if he himself is careful not to do anything risky on his PC?

Any advice much appreciated

Why does he need Windows 7 in the first place?
I think that's the main question for me.

rodion15 said:

My son uses Windows 7 in dual-boot with Windows 10. I know Microsoft is not securing it any more, so my concern is that having a PC on the same network as our other PCs and devices may put all the network at risk.

Should he uninstall Windows 7? Is this compromising our other devices, online banking, the SOHO router, etc, even if he himself is careful not to do anything risky on his PC?

Any advice much appreciated

win7 on same network safe?
short answer,in my opinion , NO .
i'm even dodgy about having all these android phones in my household on my network .

a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link

rebelyell said:

I personally find windows 10 more vulnerable for many reasons since the 2016 attack and 3 days later microsoft pushed a security patch back too all platforms even win xp. And then the gov took over microsoft.!

So, microsoft calls security update. Well its frame work update which most all or very few programs even use past 4.6.5 since 4.7 was the security patch that bundled all framework into 1 bundle. Then 4.8 framework wrapped it more secure which windows 7 has also. it will be some years until much of anything uses 4.8 framework since its just protective layer over 4.6.5 still used as of now.

If there is a major security risk it will be pushed back too all windows. ! With that said, installing microsoft security essentials i recommend on win 7. which is now on win 10 bundled in with defender. Win 7 defender and mse were seperate previously. and yes using something such as malwarebytes at the same time on win 7 is no different than using it on win 10. And yes they run side by side as intended on all platforms.

Security risk is the user more than the platform as of right now.! Worst scenario if whatever he is trying to use on win 7 requires higher framework it simply will not run..!
as a note win 7 also put dx 12 update in also. Even though very few games were coded to run dx12 on win 7.
In the end i prefer not allowing microsoft on win 7 to upload everything you have typed or done each month and store your personal data like they do on win 10.
your son sounds like he is smart enough too understand as i have found aswell.

Once I read garbage like "and then the gov took over microsoft", I know it is pointless reading the rest of the drivel posted - the chief one comparing Win7 security essentials whiich was really poor with Defender that has evolved beyond recognition.

Nothing in your monologue of drivel has addressed concerns of original poster.