The final countdown: Windows 7 support ends in 2020
written by Michael Anderson posted on December 4, 2018
On Jan. 14, 2020, Microsoft will no longer release security updates or patches for the Windows 7 operating system.
After the support ends, your organization’s computer, network, and data are vulnerable to attacks, security risks and viruses if you don’t upgrade your systems.
Microsoft does not support operating systems (OS) over 10 years old, and it moves these systems from “extended support” to “end of life.” Read Microsoft’s page about moving Windows 7 from “extended support” to “end of life” to understand the implications: Microsoft’s Windows 7 support ends on Jan. 14, 2020.
To ensure your business makes the right decisions, isn’t scrambling last minute, and makes a seamless migration to Windows 10, it’s best to start upgrading now rather than later.
Reasons to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10:
- No OS Upgrades: Without a patch or security updates, you’ll be vulnerable to attacks by cybercriminals. A good read about Windows 7 vulnerabilities is The Verge’s article, “Almost all WannaCry Victims were Running Windows 7.”
- Safer Internet Browsing: Microsoft IE 11 is the last version and the new browser is Microsoft Edge, which is not available for Windows 7. Microsoft will no longer provide security updates and patches for IE. In fact, you might not want to use a browser on your Windows 7 OS, since other browsers also may stop providing Windows 7 updates.
- Ransomware Vulnerability: Windows 7 is more vulnerable to ransomware. Windows 10 controlled folder access helps protect your data from ransomware in which cybercriminals encrypt your files, hold them hostage, and demand money to release them.
How 365 Technologies can help your business
If you do not have an IT-managed service provider, this is the right time to contact us.
We can provide an audit on your existing network to determine what computers to upgrade to Windows 10, remove from the network, or replace with new hardware to run Windows 10.
You’ll also need to perform a software audit to ensure older or specialized software can run on Windows 10. We can assist you in communicating with software vendors to ensure Windows 10 is compatible with your software before Windows 7 support ends.
With our 365Care+ solution, your small- to medium-sized business experiences Worry-Free IT™ seven days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – at a reasonable, fixed monthly rate.
