Microsoft has finally ended support for its oldest supported software, Windows 7. Introduced in October 2009, Windows 7 went on to become Microsoft’s most-installed software of all time until Windows 10 took its place (now boasting over 700 million users worldwide). While Microsoft gave users and businesses alike plenty of notice ahead of ceasing support, users of the legacy software are still refusing to budge. Surveys show that over 400 million users – and 50 percent of businesses – have yet to upgrade to newer software, posing risks to company data and private information.
Will Windows 7 Machines Stop Working?
Machines running Windows 7 aren’t going to shut down, “blue screen”, or burst into flames – they’ll still work just as they have been. However, as new exploits in the operating system are discovered, malware and spyware are increasingly likely to wreak havoc on your system since it will no longer be receiving enhanced security and updates from Microsoft.
What’s the Difference Between Windows 7 and Windows 10?
Six years of research and development goes a long way. While one of the most important features of Microsoft’s newest OS is increased built-in security against viruses, spyware, and malware, UI enhancements and general functionality have been boosted as well. In-house Microsoft apps are now built on Windows 10, but many third-party software developers have long been focusing their efforts away from legacy software. Now that support has officially ended for Windows 7, most business and user software may drop support for Windows 7 in exchange for a full adoption of Windows 10.
How Much Will the Upgrade Cost?
Depending on the situation, upgrading to Windows 10 can have a variety of costs. At-home installs for personal computers are cheaper, while Pro and Pro for Workstations versions see a jump in price. For more on that, see the official Windows site.
While support for the free “Get Windows 10” upgrade program technically ended in 2016, the budget-minded techies of the internet have confirmed that a free upgrade to Windows 10 is still possible from any existing Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 licenses by following this process:
- Go to the Download Windows 10 site
- Under Create Windows 10 Installation Media, select Download tool now and Run
- Select Upgrade this PC now if the machine that you are currently on is the one you’d like to upgrade
- Continue following the on-screen prompts.
- When the upgrade is finished, go to Settings Update & Security > Activation and you’ll see your digital Windows 10 license
While some may continue putting off the upgrade, just remember that cybercriminals are hard at work cracking any existing security on Windows 7 as fast as possible. The longer users wait, the less secure their data and information is. While you’re boosting security, why not check out these 5 Tips to Keep Your Data Safe Online?
