What happens after Windows 7?

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Windows 7 is now approaching its 10th birthday, and Microsoft has announced that it will become end-of-life (EOL) on 14th January 2020.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9nNIwJplmw&w=560&h=315]

What will happen on 14th January 2020?

If you’re using a Windows 7 computer after this date, then nothing visible will happen. Your PC will continue to work as it always has. It will power on, you’ll be able to access your files and folders, and all of your applications will work.

So what is the big deal?

The EOL date means that Microsoft will stop supporting Windows 7. By ‘supporting’, we mean that they’ll stop producing updates for Windows 7 which fix bugs and, more importantly, fix security holes within the software.

You’ll be familiar with these updates which often install when you switch your computer on or shut it down. Although sometimes annoying for the computer user, they’re essential to keeping you protected. Without these updates, your computer would be much more vulnerable to cyber attacks.

In short, whether you’re using your computer at home or in the workplace, you shouldn’t be using Windows 7 after 14th January 2020.

What are you Windows 7 upgrade options?

You have three options; buy a new computer, upgrade an existing computer

Buy a new computer

Well, the first and possibly most obvious is to buy yourself a new computer. Any new computer you buy today from a reputable supplier will run the Windows 10 operating system. With the help of an IT professional, you can transfer your files, folder and applications to your new PC.

Upgrade your computer

What if your physical computer is OK? What an incredible waste it is to throw away a perfectly good computer just because Microsoft has stopped supporting the software on it.

Well, there is another way.

You could upgrade your computer from Windows 7 to Windows 10. You keep your computer and install the newer operating system.

If you’d like more information on how to upgrade your Windows 7 computer to Windows 10, please see our YouTube video. We made a video about that here.

A word of caution here. Upgrading an ancient PC won’t work because the hardware won’t be compatible with Windows 10. Be first to check with an IT professional first or read this article for more information.

Business Office 365 user?

Is your business one of the many millions that has embraced Microsoft Office 365? If so, I have some good news.

Microsoft now has a product called Microsoft 365. Microsoft 365 isn’t to be confused with Microsoft Office 365; it’s slightly different. Microsoft 365 includes Office 365 and a Windows 10 license. So if you have any Windows 7 PC’s within your business and you use Office 365, you can upgrade your license to Microsoft 365, and you’ll get the Windows 10 license so you can update your computers.

Whichever option you choose, you need to start planning your move away from Windows 7. If you’re in a business environment, there could be 20, 50 or even 100 computers that need upgrading from Windows 7. The longer you leave it, the more likely you’ll be to be vulnerable on January 14th 2020.

If you’ve found this blog helpful, please share it with others.

We’re an IT company who specialises in the IT support UK of businesses with between 5-150 IT users. Please contact us for assistance.

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