Microsoft has officially announced the “End of Life” date for Windows 7. It will come January 14, 2020.
Windows 7 was introduced in 2009 and is one of the most popular versions of Windows. It’s estimated that around 40% of Windows OS is 7. So, if you are one of the Windows 7 users, it’s important to know how the announcement impacts you and what you should be doing.
End of Life means, beyond 2020, users of Windows 7 will not get any updates, security patches or any kind of support from Microsoft. Does this mean you need to scrap all your devices that run on the Windows 7 OS? Technically, the answer is no.
You can still continue to use your existing computer with Windows 7 OS, but it won’t get the free security patches and updates. This makes your computer and possibly your whole IT network vulnerable to malware and other IT security threats. Plus, as a business running Windows 7 OS without the security patches and updates is not really an option, as it creates liabilities in the event of data theft. Also, you may be inadvertently violating regulations by using an OS that’s officially declared vulnerable to security threats. In short, running Windows 7 without the support is not really an option for businesses.
So, What Should You Be Doing?
First off, make sure you download Microsoft’s most recent Windows 7 update; if you don’t run the most recent update, you will lose Microsoft support even sooner. You can also buy extended support for Windows 7 from Microsoft. The extended support will be available until 2023. An MSP, like AxiaTP, who is an authorized Microsoft reseller or partner will be able to tell you more about this option and pricing.
In the long run, however, you’ll have to migrate to a newer, supported version of Windows.
Options Available
As Microsoft stops supporting Windows 7 from January 2020, what choices do you have as a Windows 7 user? While it will work after January 2020—it won’t just “shut down”—as a business, you can’t afford to use the older version because it makes you vulnerable to security threats. That leaves you with only two options.
Option 1: Purchase Extended Support
Microsoft is offering the option to purchase extended support for Windows 7 until 2023. Though the exact price of this support is not known, it’s estimated to be around $350 per device for the three years.
But, one thing for you to think about before investing in extended support for your existing Windows 7 devices is that after three years you’ll have to migrate to a newer OS no matter what. In the meantime, your newer software programs or apps may not be compatible with Windows 7.
Option 2: Upgrade
If you choose not to opt for Windows 7 extended support, you can upgrade to Windows 8.1 or 10. 8.1 was probably the worst-received Windows OS—barring Vista, of course—so tech experts suggest option for Windows 10 instead. But, you need to be prepared for a few things if opting for the newer Windows version.
For one, Windows 10 has a very different look and feel compared to 7. It will take some time to get used to this newer version of Windows. Plus, it may not be compatible with all the software programs you currently run on with Windows 7. Though most of the applications, personal PC settings and data from Windows 7 OS are expected to be supported by Windows 10, there is a chance that some may not work as well. For example, experts estimate that your existing antivirus software compatible with Windows 7 OS may not work as effectively with 10.
Migrating to Windows 10
The migration from Windows 7 to 10 is not really rocket science, but for a business it can be a headache and a major transition. While you can purchase and install Windows 10 in your existing PCs—the ones currently on Windows 7 OS—it’s not recommended. According to Microsoft, Windows 10 has the following minimum requirements:
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- Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster processor or SoC
- RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) for 32-bit or 2 GB for 64-bit
- Hard Disk Space: 16 GB for 32-bit OS or 20 GB for 64-bit OS
- Graphics Card: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver
- Display: 800×600
If your existing PCs don’t meet these minimum requirements, it’s time to move on. The market today has PCs with better specs that will help you get the most out of Windows 10 and make the switch to the new OS more productive and efficient.
Windows 7 was one of the most loves, user-friendly and efficient versions of Windows. This switch sure won’t be easy. It also entails quite a bit of investment in terms of money, downtime and training. Reaching out to AxiaTP can help make this transition faster, more efficient and certainly smoother.
