Are older versions of Windows OS potentially vulnerable since the developer doesn't update them?

Question

Windows

My favorite Windows OS is Windows XP. Well, ok, I'm ready to use Windows 7, but only because there are things that are not compatible with XP.
The first one is no longer being updated by the developer, and the second one is either already or will soon stop.

I have a question. Can I use Windows XP/Windows 7 and be sure about my safety?
Now I have W 8.1 and it's such a hemorrhoid ....
I need stability, reliability. Tired of changing the OS every time and adapting to it.
Thank you.

Answer 1

Are older versions of Windows OS potentially vulnerable since the developer doesn't update them?

All versions of any OS are potentially vulnerable! Regardless of the availability of updates.

Can I use Windows XP/Windows 7 and be sure about my safety?

Yes. Of course, of course, no one guarantees complete security for you, but operating these versions is no more dangerous than the latest release of Windows 10.
Security is provided not by the OS version, but by settings and competent user actions.

Answer 2

— What will happen? muttered Polykhaev, running now from one side, then from the other. "I won't die, will I?" Well, tell me, my gold, silver, I will not die? Can I be calm?
He wanted to add that he had a wife and children. Serna, children from Serna and from another woman who lives in Rostov-on-Don, but something in his throat squeaked in itself, and he remained silent ...
Howling deplorably, he accompanied Ostap to the lobby. ...
At the very exit, Polykhaev grabbed Ostap by the sleeve and murmured:
"I didn't hide anything." Honestly! Can I be calm? Truth?
"Complete peace of mind can only be given to a person by an insurance policy," replied Ostap, without slowing down. “Any life insurance agent will tell you that. Personally, I don't need you anymore. Here is the state, it will probably become interested in you soon.
Your question is somewhat similar to Polykhaev's question. If you know how to use Windows safely (no matter xp or 10) - you simply won't ask such a question. If you don't know, you're in danger on any OS.

Answer 3

Remember the joke about the elusive Joe? If you decide to use Windows 98, then most likely you will not find a single exploit under it.
XP has already become marginal, but for it there are a lot of old trojans on file wasomers with old software.
And the seven is still popular, vulnerabilities in it become known, but not closed. What makes writing exploits profitable is in terms of labor costs.
The difference with the eight and ten is that they are mostly little known in them, and are mostly closed. Which is still good.
In general, the tactics "it used to be better" eventually leads to the degradation of a specialist. Consider working at 8/10 for the time being, and keeping XP on a virtual machine for special occasions.