Are You Still Using Windows 7 In Your Chicagoland Business?

Windows 7 Is Being Sunset and the Time to Plan Is Now.
Microsoft ended mainstream support for Windows 7 on January 13, 2015. Extended support will end on January 14, 2020, so there’s not much time to upgrade.
What does this mean for your business?

• No more customer support
• No more patches or updates
• Very high likelihood of a security breach
• Conflicts with other software programs you use

If you haven’t already, you should begin planning your migration to upgrade or replace all of your remaining Windows 7 workstations with Windows 10. Windows 10 is the most secure and easiest to use version of Windows ever.
There are millions of remaining Windows 7 devices in businesses like yours. Organizations that delay the planning will be at risk for not completing the migrations before Microsoft ends extended support. That puts your business at risk since you will not be protected from the latest cybersecurity threats.
IT providers will be very busy leading up to the deadline and may not be able to complete migrations that begin late in the timeline.
A History of Windows 7
Windows 7 made its debut in 2009. It was initially planned as an incremental upgrade to the operating system – it was to address the poor reception of Windows Vista. Windows 7 was praised for its increased performance and intuitive interface with the new taskbar and other improvements.
More than 100 million copies of Windows 7 were sold in its first six months. By mid-2012, there were more than 630 million copies sold. It was the most popular Windows variant up until 2018.
In 2014 Microsoft stopped selling Windows 7 in anticipation of its end of life. In 2015 mainstream support ended. Extended support will end on January 2020, sunsetting Windows 7 for good. That means you should have plans in place soon and complete them before the end of 2019.

Will Internet Explorer Still Be Supported On Windows 7 After Sunset?
Per Microsoft, support for Internet Explorer on a Windows 7 device will also be discontinued on January 14, 2020. As a component of Windows, Internet Explorer follows the support lifecycle of the Windows operating system it's installed on.
Does This Apply to Windows 7 Enterprise As Well?
If you are using Windows as part of a work environment, we recommend you check first with your IT department or see Windows 10 deployment support to learn more.
What Does Loss Of Usability Mean?

• Applications may no longer receive updates.
• Features may become incompatible.
• Utilities may become unsupported.
• New devices may not connect.

What Does Increased Vulnerability Mean?

• Software bug fixes to protect you from the latest exploits may no longer be issued.
• Your PC could be infected by malware.
• Antivirus programs may no longer be updated.
• Online banking transaction systems may expire.
• Your financial data could be vulnerable to theft.

What Do I Need To Do Before Updating/Migrating?
Now is the time to migrate to the next Windows operating system. To make sure your hardware is ready for the next software environment, you should perform a series of inventories.
Software Inventory: Go through your start menu, programs folder, and any other locations on your PC, and make a note of all the applications and utilities you have.
Categorize them into three groups:
1. Required
2. Optional
3. Unwanted
Check your required software versions against the most current releases from the vendor to determine if you need to upgrade them. If so, make a note of the cost to do this.
Software Wishlist: Decide what you need, how soon, and include a cost determination.
Hardware Requirements: Make sure your current hardware is compatible with the most current Windows Operating System (Windows 10). This means checking:

• The space on your solid-state drive or hard drive.
• The RAM (or memory) requirements.
• The CPU (or Processor) requirements.

If they don't meet the requirements, it may be best to purchase a new machine with Windows 10 already installed. Then you can reinstall any current applications that you require.
Is It Time to Purchase New Computers?
If you’re using computers that are 3 or more years old and running Windows 7, it makes a lot of sense to replace them. Today's PCs are faster with more efficient power usage, and they provide increased security.
The average price is considerably less than that of the average PC eight years ago. This Guide from Microsoft can help you choose a new PC in just a few easy steps.
Do You Have Any Questions?
Contact us. We're always here to help. Our team can help you create a plan for your migration. We have the tools to perform an automated inventory to determine what your best path forward should be. As a trusted IT provider in the Chicagoland area, adNET Technology Management in Elgin, Illinois is your go-to expert in all things related to technology.
In the meantime, stay up-to-date on what's happening in the world of information technology and how it can impact your business. Visit our Blog. Here are a few examples of what you'll find.
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