end of life · 4 Corner IT

support for windows 7 ends as of january 14 2020 mark your calendar

January 2020 is the end of Windows 7 as we know it. Like saying farewell to a dear friend, Microsoft has begun to phase out 7 in favor of the new and improved Windows 10. Businesses who have yet to make the switch will want to consider upgrading in the near future.

Don’t worry; your computers won’t magically stop working on the first of the new year. The basic features of Windows 7 will continue to function as normal. That said, there are still plenty of reasons to upgrade.

Security

Keeping your system up to date and fortified against malware is the number one reason to make the leap to Windows 10. Although Windows 7 won’t stop working entirely, automatic updates and Microsoft support will expire at the stroke of midnight. This means Windows antivirus is no longer protecting your company’s data. Tech experts are already anticipating cyberattacks to increase in light of the January deadline, specifically targeting users and corporations who have yet to upgrade.

Make sure your computer doesn’t turn back into a pumpkin. Upgrade early to allow sufficient time for any minor downtime, while ensuring your network isn’t left vulnerable come January 1st.

User Friendly

Don’t expect a substantial learning curve for Windows 10. The latest version prioritizes simplicity. Documents, folders, data, and software should transfer seamlessly onto the new interface, with little to no additional steps. In fact, many of the common programs businesses rely on, such as Office Suite, will automatically update so you can carry on with business as usual.

Revolutionizing the Future of Tech

Windows 10 offers an array of new and exciting features that improve efficiency and collaboration. This includes more ways to interface with devices, including iOS integration through Windows’ newly announced teamwork with Apple. Heightened security is also a huge plus for businesses. Cracking down on data protection is giving many companies additional peace of mind when it comes to managing critical systems information.

If you’re ready to take the plunge, our team can help outfit your business with everything from Office 365 to Microsoft SharePoint and more! We can assist in upgrading to Windows 10 by identifying the number of licenses you’ll need, compatibility of current software, and whether or not your operating systems are up to the task.

Give us a call today and ring in the new year right with new and improved features!

end of life microsoft

Just like the end of Windows XP, which many of us loved, Windows 7 lifespan is coming to an end. It is imperative that your business is thinking about what you are going to do when Microsoft is no longer providing security updates. Without these updates’ your operating systems will be wide open to security risks and cyber attacks. You have almost a year before the expiration, so steps should be taken soon to defray any expenses which are incurred. Depending on how old your hardware is a budget adjustment may be necessary.

There a couple of upgrade choices to look into, and deciding which is the best option for your business takes careful consideration.

Machines utilizing Windows 7 operating systems can be upgraded to Windows 10. The laptop or tower must have a 1GHz or faster processor, memory needs to be at least 1GB RAM for 32-bit and 2GB for 64-bit with a minimum of 20GB hard disk space and an 800 x 600 screen video card. If your equipment is new enough and meets these requirements, then you can purchase the licensed Windows 10 Pro for $199.99. That is the price for each PC and laptop.

Microsoft Office 365 can be outright purchased or used on a monthly basis providing you subscribe for a full year, either choice provides free upgrades. There is a caveat, a limited number of users can be signed in at a time.

The last option is to purchase new machines with Windows 10 already installed. This may be the wisest choice due to the time between now and January. Budgeting for new purchases and beginning their acquisition soon will get your business past this crisis as well as updating some tired old equipment that may have seen better days.

One thing is certain, technology is always changing, but Windows 10 will have extended support until October 14, 2025. So whichever upgrade option you decide upon, additional changes will not have to be made for quite a while.