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Can't bear to part with that well-worn copy of Windows 7? Microsoft might let you keep it updated an extra year

karlkarl Silver badge

Use whatever version of Windows necessary (use Windows 3.1 if you need to) but keep it offline and connect it directly to your Linux / BSD workstation via serial (or ethernet).

Then glue that old PC to the actual hardware you use and treat it like a bit of extended firmware (or Lights Off Manager).

Then you can SSH, RDP, VNC to interact with the old hardware through the old Windows and use it in a safe and secure manner.

Quite a lot of scanners and printers are going this route these days too.

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