Windows 7 and Vista clawing their way out of Microsoft’s graveyard in 2026 wasn’t on anyone’s bingo card, yet here we are. The nostalgia hits hard, but their sudden return comes with a very modern problem: security. And if you’re thinking about running them today, you’ll want to understand exactly what you’re signing up for.
Windows enthusiast and modder Bob Pony recently created ready-to-install ISO files for Windows 7 and Windows Vista, making the operating systems usable again (via PCWorld).
However, Microsoft ended official support for these operating systems, meaning they no longer received security updates. This may expose your PC to critical security threats and risks.
Pony seemingly brought these operating systems back to life by installing all the updates. Perhaps more interestingly, the modder installed all of the security updates for Windows Vista, including the latest updates released via Premium Assurance Updates up to January 2026.
Here's Windows Vista ISOs (x86 and x64) with all of the security updates installed including last updates released via Premium Assurance up to January 2026.FYI: No additional drivers and patches like ACPI have been added.https://t.co/iWYS2jQiuWMirror: https://t.co/DaYLdwLC9V https://t.co/GxOntEDFYJ pic.twitter.com/SsrBFIlJYwJanuary 21, 2026
For the 32-bit holdouts, Windows 7 x86 ISO with updates to October 2024.Includes drivers for NVMe, USB 3.x, and some network adapters.English only: https://t.co/DvlrpYWkOTRequires CPU at least with SSE2 instructions (e.g., Intel Pentium 4, AMD Athlon 64) pic.twitter.com/pIzhl03UTrJanuary 25, 2026
For context, Premium Assurance is a program that Microsoft has been using to maintain legacy operating systems like Windows Vista by keeping security updates flowing for 6 years. It's quite similar to Microsoft's Extended Security Updates program for Windows 10.
As always, it is important to proceed with caution before installing these operating systems in your PC, especially since Microsoft no longer supports them by providing security updates. This means that your system could be susceptible to malicious attacks by bad actors, especially when connected to the internet.
However, you can enjoy the nostalgia rush by downloading the ISO files for Windows 7 or Windows Vista and use it in a virtual machine, simulating the operating system in a safe sandbox, ensuring that your main system is protected from any vulnerabilities.
There's been a lot of rants and trolls about Microsoft's strategy and direction with Windows 11, which partly explains the operating system's slow adoption rate.
Last week, Microsoft's latest security update for Windows 11 rendered some PCs unbootable, raising concern among most users. Another separate error affecting Windows 11 was spotted breaking apps and causing crashes.
Last year, Microsoft pulled the plug on Windows 10, ending support for the operating system on October 14, 2025. The move received a lot of backlash from users, with some suggesting that it was programmed obsolescence designed to force millions of working PCs into early retirement.
It's possible to continue using Windows 10 beyond its end of support date through Microsoft's Extended Updates Security program for free by syncing your PC settings to the cloud via a Microsoft Account, or pay $30 or 1,000 Microsoft Reward points. Some users have blatantly expressed their frustrations, indicating that it feels like a last-minute snooze button, which only acts as a sort of band-aid on a bleeding system.
As such, upgrading to Windows 11 seems like the logical next step in the long term, but Microsoft's stringent hardware requirements, flawed design elements, and other issues have made the transition harder. Our Editor-in-Chief says Windows 11 isn't broken; Microsoft just needs to regain user trust and confidence one transparent decision at a time.
Windows 7 and Vista returning from the grave is a fun headline, but the reality is far less charming. These operating systems belong to another era — one without the threats, expectations, and security demands of 2026. If you’re tempted to revisit them, do it with caution. Nostalgia is great, but not at the cost of your system’s safety.
On the other hand, this also speaks strongly to how people are fed up with Windows 11 and are willing to go back decades for a reprieve.
Do you think Windows 11 is in the right trajectory? Share your thoughts in the comments and cast your vote!
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