On Jan. 14th, 2020, Microsoft will end support for all devices running Windows 7. But this doesn’t have to be the end for your computer. Upgrading to Windows 10 might seem daunting, but a newer operating system can provide many needed quality of life improvements.
Why Upgrade to Windows 10?
Computers and laptops running Windows 7 will no longer receive technical support or software and security updates come Jan. 14th. Devices will continue to work, but without software updates computers will be at greater risk for viruses and malware. So users still using the old operating system will want to upgrade to Windows 10 as soon as possible in order to keep their data safe and secure.
Benefits of Windows 10
Windows 10 boasts many benefits, more than just continued technical and software support:
Better Virus Protection
Windows 10 has seen a huge improvements to security that can better help keep your data safe.
Faster Operating System
If you’ve been using Windows 7 or Windows 8 you will notice how fast the Windows 10 operating system is compared to its older counterparts.
Better User Interface (including Classic Start Menu)
Of all the benefits of Windows 10, the most notable is the return of the classic start menu.
If you need help upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10, give us a call. Our techs can get your computer and/or laptop upgraded so you continue to get the software and security updates to keep your info secure.
First of all, it’s possible to stick with your tried-and-tested Windows 7 operating system (some third-party accessories or in-house software might not work with Windows 10 just yet) and still fend off the vicious new attacks from cybercriminals. To do that, Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Enterprise users will need to purchase the Extended Security Updates (ESU) to receive critical security updates for the next three years. ESU licenses start at $50 (£40) per machine for Professional and $25 (£19) for Enterprise users.
These costs double during the second year of support, and double again to $200 (£155) and $100 (£77) per PC for any users who want to continue into the third year of extra support.
Unless you’re running a small business, that’s not something you’re going to opt for. Instead, the best option for those who want to avoid malware and bugs on their home computer is to upgrade. To encourage users to upgrade to Windows 10 at launch, Microsoft allowed users to upgrade for free. The promotion, which started in July 2015, enabled anyone with a legitimate copy of Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 to validate a Windows 10 installation. However, Microsoft bought the promotion to an end on July 2016.
If you need to continue using Windows 7 to run legacy software or hardware we recommend keeping these systems offline and not connected to your network. If you have files you need to import or export use a flash drive or CD for transferring files.