They say all good things must come to an end, and that applies to the IT world as well.

The widely popular Windows 7 operating system officially saw its mainstream support dissolved in 2015. But that didn’t stop users from preferring the product over the next generations – as of 2018, more people were still using Windows 7 on their devices versus Windows 10. (42.39% vs. 34.29%).

But for all its acceptance, Windows 7 extended support is finally ending on January 14, 2020.

But this is nothing out of the ordinary – every Windows product has a lifecycle. It begins when a product is released and ends when it is no longer supported.

Understanding the key dates in this lifecycle will help your organization to plan and budget for updates to both hardware and software.

Windows 7 is nearing the end of its lifecycle, and for the safety of the PC’s in your organization, everyone will need to migrate by the 2020 date.

We know you have questions – here is the basic information on what you need to know.

  1. Is Mainstream Support Completely Over?
    Yes, mainstream support for Windows 7 ended in January of 2015.
  2. Can I Still Get Support for Windows 7?
    Yes, as long as you have Service Pack 1 installed with your operating system, Windows can provide extended support through January 14, 2020.
  3. What is the Difference between Mainstream Support and Extended Support?
    Mainstream support is full-service support, which provides updates, adds new features, and offers security patches for new and emerging threats. Extended support no longer has updates or new features, but will continue to protect your system with security patches when needed.
  4. Is my PC Really in Danger after Support Ends?
    Unfortunately, yes. We have discussed in length the voracity and persistence of online hackers and cyber-criminals. It is beyond the capability of most users to keep up to date with current threats, spyware, viruses and malicious software; and to appropriately protect their PC from those attacks. Having an updated operating system is one of the key ways to protect your data from bad actors online.
  5. Can I Just Upgrade the Operating System with my Files Intact?
    Truthfully, there is something to be said for a pristine new install. but from a time and ease-of-use perspective, it is faster and easier to upgrade rather than doing a new installation and importing all your old files and applications. Upgrades are generally simple (although you may experience a hiccup or two) but there are some ways you can effectively “prep” for the upgrade.
  6. What Are the Chances I Will Mistakenly Lose My Files?
    System upgrades are non-destructive in nature, and you shouldn’t lose anything in the process. However, it is always a good policy to do a full system backup before you attempt any major changes to your PC, just in case. You can also do a full image backup. This capability is built into your Windows operating system, or you can use a third party program. (Ask Alliance IT if you have any questions – our IT experts can help!
  7. Is It Difficult to Upgrade my PC from Windows 7 to Windows 10?
    If you use the Microsoft Windows 10 installation tool, it is fairly intuitive to upgrade your PC. However, if you have many PCs networked throughout your organization – with many levels of expertise sitting behind them – you may wish to schedule a time after hours during which your IT personnel can upgrade the entire organization at the same time.

Although losing Windows 7 support may seem intimidating, your upgrade to a new operating system need not be.

Remember, you will be adding the most recent and state-of-the-art features and protections to your organization’s IT capabilities, and will also have a full mainstream support once again.

At Alliance IT, we are committed to making sure that our clients have the very best experience, no matter the circumstance.

So whether you are upgrading your software or reconfiguring your network – you can rely on our expert team of Sarasota professionals to help you through it.

Let our managed IT services team assist you, and you will never have to worry about keeping up with your technology again.