So, Windows 7 is end of life, and in December we won’t be receiving any more security updates from Microsoft.
Is it a big deal?
Yes, it is. However, we urge you to not run out buy yourself a copy of Windows 10, especially not on a CD!
What happens once Windows 7 reaches end of life?
Essentially, not only is Microsoft going to stop releasing security updates and patches, but software vendors will stop developing software for the Windows 7 operating system.
This means you’ll be opening yourself up to greater cybersecurity risks. And, since insurance companies state that software must be kept up to date to ensure your cyber policy is valid, it’s worth addressing sooner rather than later.
You’ll also stop benefiting from the latest releases of software updates and features. Gradually they simply won’t work on the older operating system.
Upgrade options
We’re encouraging everyone to start looking at software as a monthly subscription service – In exactly the same way as you pay for 365 and your Spotify package.
If you’re on a Microsoft 365 journey already, they actually include Windows 10 Enterprise within that monthly subscription! If you’re on an Office 365 journey, why not make the leap, see what’s available, and discover how Microsoft 365 can benefit you over Office 365.
What are the benefits of Windows 10?
There are so many new features in Windows 10, but it’s important to remember that in its day Windows 7 was a flagship operating system and although it didn’t necessarily provide functions that everyone was going to use at the time, slowly but surely it became obvious that to interface with peripherals and to make use of the latest software it was imperative that you made the jump.
It’s much the same this time around, however, the big plus from our perspective is just how easily it integrates with Cloud services such as Azure AD and Intune. This provides huge opportunities to provide end-users with a genuinely seamless experience when interfacing with a corporate network and removing the need for local servers. Of course, doing it all securely is paramount and with BitLocker, which is built-in, you can rest assured that your Windows 10 devices are fully encrypted (when applicable).
Preparation checklist
- Check your 365 subscription and consider Microsoft 365
- Check your hardware is not too old, either upgrade to an SSD or replace the machine
- Check older peripherals such as printers using the Windows 10 compatibility site
- Check you have all the correct Group Policies on your servers to support Windows 10
- Check if your machine has a TPM if you wish to use BitLocker to encrypt your PC
- Use OneDrive where possible to transfer your files and folders
There is a wide array of 365 products now available, not just Office 365, so please do be aware that you might simply be able to upgrade your 365 package and get a copy of Windows 10, rather than buying it outright.
If you need any information, please get in touch. Call us on +44(0)1733 577055.