Upgrading To Windows 10

Software updates are inevitable, keep up with the generation.

Windows 7 was launched 10 years ago in 2009 (Scarily), so it should come as no surprise now that support for Windows 7 ends on the 14th January 2020. Windows 7 was certainly a very popular version of Windows both for businesses and home users alike. 

As of March this year, Windows 7 still had a market share of 38.41% – sitting behind Windows 10 at 40%. Undoubtedly, many have been so happy with the product that they had no reason to upgrade, despite Microsoft starting their message bombardment about the “end” of Windows 7.

Over the years, Microsoft have delivered Windows Upgrades in the form of a brand new Operating System. With Windows 10, Microsoft have changed their strategy by moving to a system of continuous development. So, instead of a mass O/S upgrade every few years you get smaller updates every six months, spring and autumn, most importantly at no extra cost.

So we no longer have to worry about the continuous roundabout of never ending systems.

By adopting this approach, Microsoft’s Windows 10 is now in-line with the competition. For example, when you buy a product from Apple or any Android smartphone/tablet, you receive no-cost upgrades for as long as the device is supported.

How can I find out if i’ll be affected?

If you have replaced the entirety of your IT system within the past 3 or 4 years, there’s a good chance you’re in the clear. Those businesses using at least Windows 8 or 10 across their laptops & desktops, and operating with background cloud systems, such as Office 365 and Azure, will most likely have moved away entirely from the list of software being culled in 2020.

If you still rely on a server that’s potentially 5-6+ years old, use little or no cloud platforms, and have PCs that are 4+ years old then there’s a strong chance that your business is at risk and needs to start planning & budgeting now for this change.