On January 14th, 2020 Microsoft will stop supporting the Windows 7 Operating System. This does not mean that Windows 7 screens will go dark on that day and cease to function, but it does mean some critical changes for users of this outdated OS.
What's Happening To Windows 7 on January 14th?
If your company is still using Windows 7 by the end of support deadline, it will still work, but you will no longer receive updates from Microsoft. This includes important security patches! This means Windows 7 users will be vulnerable to hackers.
In addition to Windows 7 no longer being secure, third-party vendors may also stop supporting programs running on Windows 7. The time to switch to a more modern operating system is now.
Here are a few things you should do to make sure you are prepared for the end of Windows 7 support.
Check to See What Version of Windows You Are Running
If you haven't received a pop-up alert about your Windows 7 operating system "nearing the end," you can double check what version you are running by going to the Start Menu and typing "My Computer" or "This PC" and clicking on "Properties" or "System Properties."
You can also type "System" in the search bar to display this information.
Decide Whether Upgrading Current Machines or Buying A New One Is Best
If you are running Windows 7, you basically have two options:
1. Buy a newer computer.
2. Upgrade your current device.
While upgrading may be quicker, you should check with an IT Pro to make sure your current device has enough memory and processing power to run the latest version of Windows 10 (which is what you should be running to stay up to date with today's security challenges and to enjoy the latest productivity and system improvements).
Depending on the age of your computer, it may make more sense to refresh your device now. Newer devices will most likely have faster drives and already come loaded with the latest operating system and version of Office. (Office 2010 will also reach end of life next year.)
For more information on Windows 10, or other relevant technology news, check out our webinars and other blog posts.
