Windows 7 End of Support & What Options Do You Have

If you are still running on Windows 7, you have some important decisions to make, and not a lot of time remaining. Windows 7 support officially ends in less than a year, on January 14, 2020. After that date, Microsoft will stop delivering security updates automatically, and by then most third-party vendors will have dropped support as well. Most businesses completed their planning for migration to Windows 10 some time ago and are in the final stages of implementing that plan. If you’re still procrastinating, it’s time to get serious. If you are a Home user still running Windows 7, unless you have quite an old computer or laptop, you should have upgraded to Windows 10 some time ago. So if you are still running Windows 7, you have a couple of options. Which one you choose depends on why you are still clinging to Windows 7. For a business, if you’re in a regulated industry, you might want to find out whether running an unsupported operating system puts you at compliance risks, which can result in hefty fines and a loss of business when customers find out. Here are the two main options:

OPTION 1 – Upgrade To Windows 10

The easiest upgrade path is via hardware replacement. Any device that’s five years old or more is an obvious candidate for recycling. Devices that were designed for Windows 10 and then downgraded to Windows 7 should be excellent candidates for just upgrading the operating system to Windows 10.

OPTION 2 – Do Nothing

On January 25, 2020, Windows 7 won’t stop working. In fact, you’re unlikely to notice any changes. If you feel lucky, this is certainly an option and you might even consider the lack of monthly updates a welcome feature. Although, this is a very bad idea, one that exposes you to all manner of security issues. If you absolutely must keep one or more Windows 7 PCs in operation, perhaps because they’re running critical software or controlling a piece of old but essential hardware, the best advice we can offer is to completely disconnect that machine from the network and lock it down so that it only runs that one irreplaceable app.