Beginning January 14, 2020-- less than one year from now-- Microsoft will discontinue support of Windows 7. Following this date, business professionals will be on their own should they need any technical or security support for their systems. Plenty of old technology can be upgraded to run Windows 10, but you may want to begin planning for a full hardware overhaul; it will likely save you cash in the long run.
Making the upgrade to Windows 10 is critical to any company that wants to maintain a competitive edge and continue receiving support from Microsoft. If you are not sure what end of life entails, or are uncertain when it comes to the details of upgrading, read on to get more information.
What Happens Once End of Life is Reached?
After January 14, you will still be able to use Windows 7 just as you usually would. Your day-to-day operations likely will not change much-- but it is the backend work that will be impacted the most. Once support ends, your business' PCs immediately become more vulnerable to security risks. This is because Microsoft stops offering security updates for operating systems that have reached the end of life.
In an overview, the operating system (OS) will no longer receive:
- Tech assistance
- Security updates
- Security patches
- Feature updates
Why Make the Upgrade?
Upgrading to Windows 10 will allow your company the latest and most innovative security updates that Microsoft has to offer. An upgrade is critical to keeping data safe and your operating system running smoothly. If you need tech support, the only way to get it is by utilizing an OS that is within its lifecycle.
If lagging causes real issues, you will be faced with damage to your company's reputation. If suddenly, you are unable to complete transactions for clients due to technical problems or security programs, your business appears untrustworthy and disorganized. Computers stopping or stalling during conferences or video calls also do not do much to elevate your company in the eyes of clients.
Also, Microsoft is bringing its cloud security service Advanced Threat Protection into Windows 10. This service allows any individual with an E5 license to "look under the hood" of a system and analyze what potential threats have done to that system. Forensic examinations can now be easily exposed, documented, and saved for later review.
How to Make the Upgrade
Generally speaking, the recommended path forward involves migrating to entirely new devices outfitted with Windows 10. Older hardware can be upgraded, provided it meets Microsoft's minimum requirements, but tends to present problems anyway. Newer computers are faster and more secure than their predecessors-- they are even cheaper than most PCs were several years ago.
A majority of small and medium-size business owners focus on short-term costs. Electing to continue the use of software past the end of its life may seem like a fantastic way to save some money, but often ends up costing more money than it is worth. Having to bring in external service providers to troubleshoot or deal with faulty equipment gets expensive fast.
Total Computer Solutions is equipped to help business owners and IT staff take control of their technology and ensure that they have the tools needed to conduct business as usual. With Windows 7 end of life approaching, it is critical that companies small and large address their current technology setups and make necessary changes as soon as possible.
If you still want to ensure that your team will be able to work long into the future, contact us today to schedule a no-obligation consultation to assess the age of your workstation. Our staff will be glad to help you make the changes you need to make to ensure your company stays productive.
