Are YOU Prepared for The End of Windows 7?

On January 14, 2020, the world will bid a fond farewell to the beloved Windows 7 operating system. Well, sort of. Microsoft has declared that, after that date, it will no longer update or support the system. It is the final nail in the coffin for a trustworthy, oft-touted software package that has been running on fumes since newer versions hit the scene. And, as with any funeral, there are some arrangements to be made for the millions of businesses that have stuck it out to the end. Here is everything you need to know about the coming changes – and what you should do now to prepare.

THE END OF AN ERA

The news of Microsoft closing down Windows 7 support may come as a surprise to some of us, but the operating system has been on its last legs for a while. In fact, Microsoft stopped adding new features and honoring warranties for the platform back in 2015. When 2020 comes, it will cease releasing patches and updates for good.

This does not mean that Windows 7 PCs will suddenly stop working in January; you will still be able to boot up in the operating system if you keep it installed. But if you value your privacy, your data and your sanity, it is time to upgrade.

Those Microsoft updates that pop up from time to time do not exist just to annoy you; they patch security vulnerabilities and protect you against new viruses and malware. Without that ongoing support, Windows 7 users will become fish in a barrel to sophisticated cybercriminals looking for a quick buck.

That is why it is essential that you call in the professionals to prepare your business for the switch to Windows 10, now, not later.

IT’S A REQUIREMENT, NOT A CHOICE

Upgrading your operating system well in advance of the Windows 7 end-of-life date may seem like a decision you   should make for your peace of mind, but it’s even more critical than that. Of course, as time leaves Windows 7 behind, it is certain that pieces of software will steadily become incompatible with the OS. Programs your company uses day-today suddenly becoming unusable will present serious headaches, but the real problem lies in the security of your network.

Windows developers are in a constant arms race with cybercriminals looking to exploit vulnerabilities in their platform. Each patch brings a host of bug fixes and security upgrades, but cybercriminals almost always find a new way in. Thus, the developers hastily put together a new patch, and the cycle continues.

When an operating system loses support from these developers, its users are left completely vulnerable to hackers. Like maggots drawn to rotting meat, they flock to the abandoned platform and dig into the networks of those stubbornly clinging to the outdated OS. This process is expected to be especially nasty after Windows 7 end of life, since so many businesses still use the OS and likely will forget (or refuse) to upgrade.

If you value your business at all, it’s not a choice. You need to upgrade before time runs out.

AVOID THE CRUNCH

Not only should you enlist your IT experts to facilitate the upgrade, but you should do it ASAP. As the clock ticks down on Windows 7, tech companies are expecting a flood of upgrade requests as businesses scramble to leave the OS behind before it is too late. Many of these IT providers will have a lot on their plate later in the year as they hurry to upgrade hundreds, if not thousands, of individual PCs.

If you wait it out, you are likely to find yourself at the back of a long, long line, potentially to the point that you breeze past January 14 without a solution. If you do, you are almost certain to regret it. Every day, the need for an upgrade becomes more urgent. Give the task the ample time required and avoid needless stress. Reach out to your IT provider and ask them to start the upgrade process today