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Thread: Securing Windows 7 after security updates stop.

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    Securing Windows 7 after security updates stop.

    I am not one hopelessly holding on to 7 and all my devices except one are on windows 10.

    So the short if I have a HTPC running windows media centre with many add-ons/plugins etc it is also my media storage and basically runs 24/7, past that there is media centre extenders around the house. In short I have a perfectly working home setup and don't want to reinvent it all on windows 10 with different software etc, also I have tried the MCE windows 10 versions/hacks and have some success but not all plugins work and every other update breaks them.

    Its not used for browsing the internet as such but does use chrome in kiosk mode for youtube, and occasional browsing for extra content or iplayer etc.

    I am thinking just keep going with anti virus software and think about what I am doing if/when online but is there anything else I could/should do to lock it down either on the machine or even at a network/router level.

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    Re: Securing Windows 7 after security updates stop.

    Might be worth checking out alternative media player systems, they've come a fairly long way since Microsoft abandoned MCE. Plex and Emby both provide client/server software with a wide array of features that likely can do everything you want, short of playing DVDs. Can't speak to the compatibility of existing MCE recorded TV, though.
    Quote Originally Posted by Agent View Post
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    Re: Securing Windows 7 after security updates stop.

    Can't find anything which will share 6 TV tuners as well as all recording made. Currently use xbox 360s as extenders which won't work as seemless with any of the alternatives and won'y share tuners.

    Al previous attempts to get anything as stable or usable have failed, but I may try again as kodi is the closest I have ever got, of course I could replace extenders with a few low power boxes/sticks capable of running kodi.

    I will explore further as the HTPC does boot from SSD so I could install 10 on another drive and experiment as I can't have downtime.

    2 avenues to explore, lockdown windows 7 or move to 10.

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    Re: Securing Windows 7 after security updates stop.

    MediaPortal might tickle your fancy for a more WMC-like usage experience, I don't think it'll be compatible with your XB360's though, except via UPnP-AV maybe? Might be worth checking out anyway. Android media players can be had cheap enough anyway, and there's apps for that.
    Quote Originally Posted by Agent View Post
    ...every time Creative bring out a new card range their advertising makes it sound like they have discovered a way to insert a thousand Chuck Norris super dwarfs in your ears...

  5. #5
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    Re: Securing Windows 7 after security updates stop.

    You can run Windows Media Center (sic) on Win 10 with a little effort:

    https://forums.mydigitallife.net/thr...natives.61061/

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    Re: Securing Windows 7 after security updates stop.

    Looking at media portal now, has potential.

    Running WMC on 10 isn't worth it, got ti working then updates happen and you have to mess again, but also I use an add-on recordedtv HD and it doesn't work on 10.

    To add pain my tuners are 4 DVB-T2 and 2 DVB-S2, I currently run DVBlink in the backend which combines the tuners/channels/EPGs and then makes virtual tuners.

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    Re: Securing Windows 7 after security updates stop.

    Emby will do it but live tv is a premium feature on that so you'd need to pay for a licence. Not sure about Plex.

    Is there are WMC focused forum somewhere that has a few people in the same boat?

    Alternatively get a good firewall on it and block all of the ports your software stack doesn't need.

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    Re: Securing Windows 7 after security updates stop.

    If you aren't browsing on the box, and it doesn't have incoming ports exposed to the Internet then it seems a pretty low risk to just leave the Windows 7 box as it is.

    The xbox 360 seems quite limiting, if I were considering switching over I would look for a new cheap front end to suit the new back end. With an open source back end you can be more confident you won't end up in this situation again with support being suddenly dumped.

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    Re: Securing Windows 7 after security updates stop.

    Quote Originally Posted by DanceswithUnix View Post
    If you aren't browsing on the box, and it doesn't have incoming ports exposed to the Internet then it seems a pretty low risk to just leave the Windows 7 box as it is.

    The xbox 360 seems quite limiting, if I were considering switching over I would look for a new cheap front end to suit the new back end. With an open source back end you can be more confident you won't end up in this situation again with support being suddenly dumped.
    I suspect it'll need Internet access for EPG updates.

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    Re: Securing Windows 7 after security updates stop.

    Quote Originally Posted by spacein_vader View Post
    I suspect it'll need Internet access for EPG updates.
    Yeah, that's outgoing through the firewall though. Not really a risk.

    I meant if there is some "watch your TV programs outside the house" feature which required opening ports to the outside world, at that point I would start requiring a supported and kept fully up to date platform.

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    Re: Securing Windows 7 after security updates stop.

    Been messing with media portal, it is the closest but its just not got the usability of WMC.

    Currently its looking more like bolting windows 7 down, will look much closer at closing ports etc and leaving it only with what is needed.

    Of course media portal (and others) are in continuous development so I will be keeping an eye on them.

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    Re: Securing Windows 7 after security updates stop.

    Is there any merit in setting up a 'guest' (or otherwise new and different) wireless AP, and allowing only the one Win7 machine on it - so that it's not on same network as any other computer.
    Therefore if you do get compromised, it would affect the rest?

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    Re: Securing Windows 7 after security updates stop.

    Quote Originally Posted by Percy1983 View Post
    I am not one hopelessly holding on to 7 and all my devices except one are on windows 10.
    Regrettably, I did resist upgrading when I had the chance to do so at reduced cost (was it free?!) and now find myself not sure how best to proceed

    Whilst I'd like to do a new build or purchase a new PC, I'd rather avoid spending much on computer-stuff right now.

    So, presumably the dangers of sticking my head in the sand are too high and the easiest/best solution is just to purchase an OEM Win 10. Any other ideas and suggestions on which version of Win 10 to opt for?

    Thanks!

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    Re: Securing Windows 7 after security updates stop.

    Check out sledgehammer to stop windows updates unless you trigger them through a lovely dos box console script.
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    Re: Securing Windows 7 after security updates stop.

    Well, I did it, went with media portal 2 on windows 10.

    I do just use cheap 10 pro keys, you can find them about.

    Lost some functionality and gained others, overall happy to have done it.

    Nice to be on a supported OS with software in active development with updates.

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