Unofficial Windows 7 Service Pack 2

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Project status and technical details

  • Several commenters tried to understand how the Windows 8 “Reader” PDF app is being used on Windows 7.
    • Conclusion: the executable was extracted from the appx, not run as a UWP package.
    • Some doubt it can work cleanly on 7, suspecting dependencies on early Metro/UWP or browser engines.
  • People note there is no actual ISO or installer release yet despite the README implying one; it’s clearly marked as work-in-progress.
  • The repo’s license is criticized as “rich” given it is largely Microsoft binaries.
  • Questions are raised about whether high‑DPI improvements could reach per‑monitor v2 quality; others counter that many serious improvements since 7 (memory compression, security, WDDM) would still be missing.

Security and trust concerns

  • Running a very old PDF reader is widely viewed as risky; one person jokes the only worse idea would be an ancient TIFF reader.
  • Unofficial Win7 update packs (e.g., repackaged ESUs from Ukraine) are mentioned; some worry about hidden malware.
    • Debate follows about whether country of origin meaningfully affects risk; no consensus is reached.

Why people still want Windows 7 (and earlier)

  • Many see Windows 7 as the peak of usability, aesthetics, and speed; some argue Windows 2000 or Server 2003 were even better.
  • Users keep dedicated Win7 machines (sometimes heavily repaired over time) for Office 2003, specific plugins, CAD/PLC, or niche tooling.
  • Older Office with classic menus and pre‑Manifest‑V3 browsers are praised; the ribbon UI draws both strong dislike and strong defenses.
  • Several note how fast XP/2000/7 feel compared to modern Windows on far more powerful hardware, especially for launching Office.

Critiques of modern Windows (10/11)

  • UI/UX is a major sore point:
    • Loss of vertical taskbar and classic Quick Launch, inconsistent dual settings/control‑panel UIs, rounded corners with awkward resize areas.
    • Some appreciate 11’s visual consistency; others insist 7’s Aero era was superior.
  • There’s frustration with Windows 11’s onboarding (Microsoft account requirement) and general bulk.
  • Features like the file‑copy speed graph are debated as either useful diagnostics or needless distraction.

Retrocomputing, drivers, and ecosystem

  • There’s an active ecosystem around running 7/XP on modern hardware: driver torrents, driver integrators, custom ISOs with NVMe/ACPI support, and tools like NTLite.
  • Similar interest exists in lightweight 8/8.1 via Server variants with extended support.
  • Some hope this project might eventually enable a minimal, reasonably secure modern browser on Windows 7.

Alternatives and lookalikes

  • Suggestions include ReactOS and Linux distros/DEs mimicking Windows 7 (e.g., XFCE mods).
  • Skepticism remains: visual clones often feel “off,” and for many the real draw is Windows’ software/hardware ecosystem, not just the UI.