Are your computers still running on Windows 7 — or even (yikes!) something older?
We’ve previously discussed that support for Windows 7 is discontinuing early next year, which means now is a great time to upgrade your business’ Windows machines to Windows 10. What happens when support for an Operating System ends? How easy is it to upgrade to Windows 10? We have answers to those questions and more.
What is happening to Windows 7?
All things eventually come to an end, and technology is no different. Windows 7 began in 2009 and now — after a decade of service — it will be reaching end-of-life. Starting January 14, 2020, Microsoft will no longer support Windows 7 systems with security patches and regular upgrades. This means that, while you and your employees will still be able to use your PCs normally, you are more vulnerable to security breaches. You also won’t be up-to-date with Microsoft’s latest patches and quality of life improvements.
Should I upgrade my machines?
While you and your employees will still be able to use your machines, you are essentially running on borrowed time when you have a non-supported Operating System. Commonly used software (including Windows products) may no longer operate properly on old systems, and Microsoft’s support team won’t be able to help issues that may arise. Unfortunately, outdated software and hardware does not last forever, and the risk of a failure or a breach increases dramatically over time. Now may be the best time to upgrade your machines to Windows 10 because you want to avoid these potential troubles.
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How do I upgrade to Windows 10?
Fortunately, Microsoft makes it easy for businesses to upgrade old Operating Systems. Microsoft 365 Business comes with a free upgrade for users with a Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 Pro license on their device. Microsoft 365 plans are purchased on a per-user basis and require an annual commitment.
An important note about machines that are currently using Windows 7: These machines may likely be nearing their end-of-life. It could be more cost effective to purchase newer machines that already have Windows 10 installed. By buying a newer machine, you will have Windows support and you will not need to worry about age-related hardware failure.
Upgrading to Windows 10 gives users full access to security patches and software updates. Keeping your machines updated to the latest versions is just another step to ensure that your business runs efficiently.ology.