7 ways the Windows 7 End of Life will Impact Your Machines
Is your business in or around San Jose, CA? If so, you and other nationwide customers may start having problems with your Windows 7 after January 14, 2020. You will need technical support because Microsoft’s Windows 7 end of life support occurs January 14, 2020.
That is why many companies are finding and using IT managed support services. When the end of life event happens, viruses or issues may occur on your equipment, software, or devices. Some Windows 7 users will want to mitigate the end of life impact by getting IT help as soon as possible.
The informational guide below lets you know seven ways Window 7 end of life will impact your machines. The guide will also give you ways to deal with the impact of losing your Windows 7 operating system.
Windows 7 End of Life
After January 14th next year if you are using the Windows 7 operating system, you will no longer be able to receive security updates. By continuing to use Windows 7, you will also lose technical support, nor will you be able to keep your data safe after January 14th.
Your computer will still run, but by using your computer you are putting your data at risk.
If your system has technical issues, no one at Microsoft can or will help you. The Microsoft IT definition for end of life means when an application or operating system is no longer supported.
7 Ways Windows End of Life Impacts Your Computer and Devices
Many consumers and businesses like to use Windows 7. Consumers and businesses like Windows 7 so much it is still being used on 39% of all PCs.
To deal with this issue, Microsoft is releasing a user update notification they need to upgrade to Windows 10 before January 14, 2020. If you pay no attention to the Windows upgrade notification or continue to use Windows 7, then you may be wondering how will this impact your computer?
1. Emerging Threats
After January 14th, your computer and devices are open to any malicious users who will do anything they can to give you a virus or steal data. Which means that even if you continue to use Windows 7 after the end of life date, you should not. Your immediate need should be to upgrade to Windows 10 or any other supported operating system alternative as soon as possible.
2. Minimum Computer Specifications for Windows 10
If you decide to upgrade to Windows 10, every computer you are upgrading needs to meet certain specifications for the upgrade to work. In the upgrade, you know you cannot afford a single data loss event. Single data losses can equate to millions of dollars per incident.
In the IT world, upgrading to Windows 10 or an alternative operating system is not a choice, it is a necessity. The minimum specifications for Windows 10 are:
- A 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster processor
- Your RAM needs to be 1 gigabyte (GB) for a 32-bit computer or 2 GB for a 64-bit computer
- Hard disk space needs to be 16 GB for a 32-bit OS 20 GB for a 64-bit OS
- Your display needs to be 800X600
- You need a Directx 9 or later with a WDDM 1.0 driver graphics card
If your computers barely meet the above specifications or do not meet them at all, Windows 10 cannot run well.
3. Backing Up Your Data
An immediate impact regarding the Windows 7 end of life, is the need to backup all your data and documents safely. Even if you are going to upgrade to Windows 10 on the same computer, you are now running Windows 7, so a thorough backup needs to happen.
If you are going to a new machine or formatting your hard drive, you still need to backup your documents and data. You never know what can go wrong.
4. Buying New Computers
One of your options for the Windows 7 end of life event is to buy all new computers, which meet the specifications above. Even if you buy all new computers, which meet Windows 10 specifications, you still need to migrate your data over to the new hard drives.
To lessen the impact of dealing with migrating data safely and securely, you need to use a company who specializes in providing technology solutions.
Technology solution companies can help you with your IT management services or infrastructure support needs. These technology solution companies can also provide audits, assessments, and strategic consulting to determine which system and service fit your IT needs the best.
5. Keeping Windows 7 with Extended Security
You may want to keep your Windows 7 operating system. If this is the case, Microsoft is offering Windows 7 Extended Security update for a fee. The fee is assessed per device. If you use Windows Enterprise for your Windows 7, you will pay $25 per device for the first year.
The fee goes up in year two and will be $50 per device. In year three, the cost will be $100 per device. The financial impact you will feel may make it worth your while to change over to the Windows 10 in a proactive manner before January 14, 2020.
6. Applications That Only Use Windows 7
There are computer applications that will only use Windows 7. It is uncommon, but it does happen. If one of your business applications only runs Windows 7, then you will need some workaround solutions like cloud computing or server virtualization.
These solutions may only tide you over for a bit, but an IT service provider can help you access, use, and secure solutions for the application’s data you need in the long-term.
7. Internet Explorer
Microsoft may be ending Internet Explorer in the near future, because with the end of Windows 7 hackers may try to target the IE browser. If you use Internet Explorer, there is a new chromium-based Edge browser in the Internet Explorer mode. You may still have access to the legacy functions by using the chromium-based Edge browser.
Windows 7 End of Life Solutions
In every impact listed above, there is a Windows 7 end of life solution. Whatever industry you are in or operating system you use, Sagacent Technologies has a service to meet your needs. Reach out to us with your questions or concerns.
We have IT consultants with stellar experience and exceptional knowledge who can help you with your IT issues today. Do not wait until technology change is forced upon you. Move forward with a proactive IT program which grows and develops your business today.
Sagacent Technologies offers technology management and support, including proactive/preventative maintenance, onsite and offsite data back-ups, network and security audits, mobility solutions, disaster planning and emergency business resumption services. The company serves clients of 10 to 150 employees within the Silicon Valley region.