Microsoft announced they are stopping mainstream support for Windows 7. Windows 7 is a popular operating system. So, this creates concern for many. Over time, the reliability and security of your computer will fade if you keep using Windows 7.
We’ll cover some important facts here that you need to know about Windows 7.
Windows 7 made its debut in 2009. It was initially planned as an incremental upgrade to the operating system – it was to address the poor reception of Windows Vista. Windows 7 was praised for its increased performance and intuitive interface with the new taskbar and other improvements.
More than 100 million copies of Windows 7 were sold in its first 6 months. By mid-2012, there were more than 630 million copies sold. It was the most popular Windows variant up until 2018.
In 2014 Microsoft stopped selling Windows 7 in anticipation of its end of life. In 2015 mainstream support ended. Extended support will end on January 2020, sunsetting Windows 7 for good.
Now is the time to migrate to the next Windows operating system.
All support for Windows 7 will end on January 14, 2020. This means no more bug fixes or security updates. Over time, the usability of Windows 7 will degrade. There will be a loss of usability and increased vulnerability.
Per Microsoft, support for Internet Explorer on a Windows 7 device will also be discontinued on January 14, 2020. As a component of Windows, Internet Explorer follows the support lifecycle of the Windows operating system, it’s installed on. See Lifecycle FAQ – Internet Explorer for more information.
If you are using Windows as part of a work environment, we recommend you check first with your IT department or see Windows 10 deployment support to learn more.
Yes, you should upgrade to either Windows 10 or Mac OS High Sierra. You probably shouldn’t go from a Windows-based system to a Mac OS unless you’re in design or video production. Most small businesses do best with Windows operating systems.
If you do switch to Mac, you’ll want to perform a cost analysis. You’ll need to change all the software you use, and this could get pricey. Plus, Apple devices are more expensive. However, they do tend to be more reliable and less costly to maintain.
To make sure your hardware is ready for the next software environment, you should perform a series of inventories.
Go through your start menu, programs folder and any other locations on your PC and make a note of all the applications and utilities you have.
Categorize them into 3 groups:
Check your required software versions against the most current versions on the market to determine if you need to upgrade them. If so, make a note of the cost to do this.
Decide what you need, how soon, and do similar upgrade and cost determination.
Make sure your current hardware is compatible with the most current Windows Operating System (Windows 10). This means checking:
If they don’t meet the requirements, it may be best to purchase a new machine with Windows 10 installed. Then you can reinstall any current applications that you require.
If your computer is 7 or 8 years old, and running Windows 7, it makes sense to get a new one, or a new Mac and operating system.
For most Windows 7 users, moving to a new device with a Windows 10 operating system is the best path forward. Today’s PCs are faster, lighter in weight, more powerful, and provide increased security.
The average price is considerably less than that of the average PC was eight years ago. This Guide from Microsoft can help you choose a new PC in just a few easy steps.
When you’re ready to upgrade to Windows 10, visit and spend some time on:
Do You Have Any Questions?
Contact us. We’re always here to help.
Anthony has been in the MSP business since before the acronym existed. Managed IT once started as break-fix solutions and some light phone support.
Since then, he has seen the industry flourish into a landscape of platforms, cloud servers, software tools and AI . Tailoring network configurations and software stacks to the specific needs of each business.
In his current role, he focuses on proactive planning, ensuring clients can avoid potential issues altogether. This involves meticulous planning for enhanced business continuity, allowing swift resolution of any unforeseen challenges. What initially began as addressing "fires" through break-fix solutions has evolved into a proactive approach, ensuring that such issues are prevented from arising in the first place.
