04 Nov How to Prepare for Windows 7 End of Life
Windows 7 End of Life will start on January 14, 2020, will be here before you know it. This means Microsoft will no longer update or support the operating system after that date. Windows 7 is a decade old and launched on July 22, 2009 and it is still being used on 39% of all PCs. Now that Windows 7 will no longer be supported by Microsoft, it is leaving users with the need to upgrade their hardware.
Windows 7 End of Life begins on January 14, 2020. Microsoft ended conventional support for Windows 7 on January 13, 2015, which meant new features stopped being added, and warranty claims were no longer valid. From January 2015 until January 2020, Microsoft considers Windows 7 as being in an ‘extended support’ phase. When Windows 7 enters its End of Life phase, this support will end and Microsoft will stop releasing updates, patches, and support for the operating system.
This doesn’t mean Windows 7 will stop working in January of 2020. You will still be able to use Windows 7 products. However, you will be putting yourself at risk with the continued use of Windows 7 products, because there will not be any patches for any new viruses or security problems once it enters End of Life. This will leave you extremely vulnerable to any emerging threats. If a large number of people continue to use Windows 7 after the End of Life date, that could be a big motivation for malicious users to target viruses at Windows 7.
Upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10 is the most comfortable option for Windows users. The users experience minimum disruption when upgrading to Windows 10. Most programs have been updated to work on Windows 10, and the layout and interface are similar to Windows 7, making the adjustment seamless. However, your hardware must be compatible with Windows 10. If it is not, you will have to upgrade your device to be able to run Windows 10.
Don’t be tempted to save a bit of money and upgrade to Windows 8. It is more recent than Windows 7, but it won’t be too long before it becomes End of Life as well. Therefore, you would better off saving further time and money by getting the newer Windows 10. Before you make the switch, make sure to reach out to your IT Department or your outsourced IT provider to back up your data.
If you’re going to continue to use Windows 7 once it enters its End of Life phase, we still recommend backing up your documents regularly. You’ll be more at risk from viruses, and if there’s an issue that prevents your Windows 7 machine from booting, Microsoft might not help. Having regular backups of your important files will potentially save a lot of time and stress later.
As with all operating systems, after a while, it doesn’t make sense, from a financial point of view to keep old software patched and updated, especially when there are newer versions of the software out there. If you want to upgrade to Windows 10, our team can help you make the transition smooth and cost-effective for your business. Contact us here to get your customized business recommendations.