John J Miller :
you are incorrect on your first "assumption". if you have Win 7 "Professional" you are still supported. the home version is the one with support problems.
Tom Tancredi :
1) Reason to upgrade: Windows 7 Consumers are NO LONGER SUPPORTED by Microsoft. That ended at the beginning of the year, so if you try to ask Microsoft for help with your Windows 7 PC they will politely tell you they only support current OSes like Windows 8 (and now Windows 10). ...
Totally WRONG.
Quote:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/lifecycle
Windows 7 * Service Pack 1 End of mainstream support January 13, 2015
End of extended support January 14, 2020
MAINSTREAM is CONSUMER (aka OP went to Walmart and bought the $299 Windows based PC).
Extended is "Only available with Extended Hotfix Support through Premier Support".
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/gp/lifepolicy?wa=wsignin1.0
Premier Support is a BUSINESS (SMB, Corp, Developers, etc.) contract agreement for service OUTSIDE of the Consumer limitations. In order to 'buy into' extended service you need to be a BUSINESS, to 'sign up' for Extended Business
http://www.microsoft.com/microsoftservices/en/us/support_premier.aspx