If you run a business that still uses Windows 7, then you have a dilemma upgrading all your PCs to Windows 10. As well as retraining your staff which might prove tricky before Windows 7’s End of Life was on January 14, 2020. But, you don’t want to risk running an operating system that doesn’t get security patches.
The good news is that Microsoft will be offering Windows 7 Extended Security Updates. However, these extended security updates will cost money on a per device basis, and it’s now been revealed just how much these Windows 7 extended security updates will cost. Experience Windows 10 – the ultimate alternative to Windows 7.
With its unparalleled efficiency, advanced features, and seamless user experience, Windows 10 is the epitome of modern computing. Discover why it has become the preferred choice for millions worldwide as we delve into the compelling reasons that make Windows 10 the best successor to Windows 7. Unlike the other Editions, its Enterprise variant won’t be available for sale in retail.
Embrace the future of operating systems and unlock a world of possibilities with Windows 10. So, you shouldn’t find it too hard to adjust. All in all, if you want to upgrade to Windows 10, then you can buy a copy of the operating system online. And above all, you can also download the installation file and run it to start the process. So, You see? It’s really easy and simple!
Why You Should Upgrade To Windows 10 From Windows 7
Upgrading your PC from Windows 7 to Windows 10 has a number of benefits. For a start, because both operating systems are made by Microsoft the upgrade process is relatively easy. And in many cases, you can keep your files on your PC. Meaning, you’ll experience a minimum disruption when upgrading to Windows 10.
In addition, most programs you use will have been updated to work on it as well. And the layout and interface are similar too. So, what is Windows 10? In general, it’s a series of personal computer operating systems produced by Microsoft as part of its Windows NT family of operating systems. It is the successor to Windows 7 (ending its life) and Windows 8.1.
Released to manufacturing on July 15, 2015, and broadly released for retail sale on July 29, 2015. But for a start, you’ll need to buy a Windows 10 license, and these can be quite expensive. Particularly – if you were hoping to manage the End of Life to Windows 7. And in the end, not without spending any money, and so this isn’t the way to do it.
While its Home and Pro are direct paths for retail users, there are other variants as well. Like Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 10 Student. Whereby, the Enterprise Edition, as you may expect, is meant to meet the demands of medium and large-sized organizations. It comes with even more sophisticated features such as Device Guard, which helps a company to lock down devices.
When Is The End Support For Windows 7?
As can be seen, support for Windows 7 ended in January 2020. Meaning if you continue to use Windows 7 after consent has ended on January 14, 2020, your PC will still work. But, it may become more vulnerable to security risks. Not forgetting, many enterprises, and especially, SMBs are still running it.
In that case, Microsoft is offering organizations of all sizes extended security updates (ESUs) for Windows 7, all the way up to January 2023. And generally, these security updates include critical and important security updates. But, no new features, customer-requested non-security updates, or design change requests.
Windows 7, released in October 2009, was one of Microsoft’s big successes. However, ten years later and despite its end-of-extended-support, the deadline is being imminent (January 14, 2020). But, the popular OS is still in use on 27 percent of all desktop computers running Windows.
They will be sold on a per-device basis and the price will increase each year. ESUs for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 – are also on offer. For which – extended support also comes to an end on January 14. Learn more about Windows 7 Life Support Ends | But, Here’re 7 Alternatives!
Should You Upgrade The Operating System Of Your PC To Windows 10?
Of course, Yes! As can be seen, if you don’t have the required hardware, but still want to upgrade to Windows 10, then you could upgrade your PC too. Not to mention, this is a cost-effective approach, as you may only need to upgrade a few components on your computer. In the end, enabling it to run on Windows 10.
But of course, upgrading your PC can be rather fiddly, and there’s only so much you can upgrade before it becomes easier (and more cost-effective) to buy a new PC. As an example, buying a new machine is another option. And Windows 7’s End of Life could be a good excuse to spoil yourself with a new and more powerful PC, with Windows 10 installed.
In other words, just because you can continue to use Windows 7 in its End of Life status, it doesn’t mean you should. The biggest issue with continuing to use it is that it won’t be patched for any new viruses. Or even security problems once it enters End of Life.
Leaving you extremely vulnerable to any emerging threats. What’s more, if a large number of people continue to use it after the End of Life date, that could actually be a big incentive. Especially, for malicious users to target viruses and other nasties at Windows 7.
What Should You Do?
There are a number of things I’d recommend you do in preparation for Windows 7 End of Life, and the first is to consider upgrading to a newer operating system. While you have a number of choices when moving operating systems, for many people, the obvious and simplest option is to upgrade to Windows 10.
For individuals; “If you continue to use Windows 7 after support has ended, your PC will still work, but it will become more vulnerable to security risks and viruses,” Microsoft warns. In fact, Windows 7 Home users can’t pay to receive extended security updates.
One last thing – don’t be tempted to save a bit of money and upgrade to Windows 8.1. Although it’s more recent than Windows 7, it’s not going to be too long before that version too enters its End of Life stage. So, you’re better off saving further hassle down the line by getting the newer (and let’s be fair, better) Windows 10.
How To Upgrade Your Windows 10 Operating System
With support for Windows 7 ending Tuesday, Microsoft is encouraging users to upgrade to Windows 10 to keep devices running securely and smoothly. On Microsoft’s website, the Windows 10 Home operating system costs $139 to download. However, you don’t necessarily have to shell out the cash.
For one thing, a free upgrade offer from Microsoft that technically ended in 2016 still works. When Windows 10 was first released in July 2015, Microsoft offered an unprecedented free upgrade offer for Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 users, good through July 2016. But, in 2017, Ed Bott of CNET sister site ZDNet reported that the free upgrade tool was still functional.
Basically, we tried it out in November 2019. And was able to upgrade a 2014 Dell OptiPlex 9020 desktop from Windows 7 Pro to Windows 10 Pro. If you want to upgrade to Windows 10, then you can go ahead and buy a copy. Or in that case, download the installation file and run it to start the process. However, I’d recommend that you still back up all your files and folders just in case.
While upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10 this is the easiest solution, but there are reasons why it won’t be right for some people.
The General Windows 10 Specification Features You Should Know About
While Microsoft has done an admirable job of making Windows 10 able to run on older hardware, it’s still a modern operating system. In particular, that might struggle to work well on your old Windows 7 machine. Below are the minimum specification for Windows 10:
- Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster processor or SoC.
- RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) for 32-bit or 2 GB for 64-bit.
- Hard Disk: 16 GB for 32-bit OS 20 GB for 64-bit OS.
- Graphics Card: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver.
- Display: 800 x 600 resolution
Always remember, if your machine doesn’t meet these specifications requirements, you won’t be able to run Windows 10.
And even if your machine just meets the requirements, Windows 10 won’t run that well. Therefore, I’d recommend at least a 2GHz dual-core processor. Or even, a 4GB of RAM (8GB ideally) and a 160GB hard drive for it to run well.
What Are The Windows 10 Operating System Requirements?
Bearing in mind, Microsoft has been warning Windows 7 users about the deadline for over a year. Mentioning it whenever it was pushing out Windows security updates. It has also been pushing once-per-month notifications to Windows 7 Home.
But, before you consider installing it, here are the PC installation system requirements;
| RAM | 1GB for 32 bit, 2GB for 64 bit |
| Hard Disk Space | – For Windows 10 1809 and earlier: 16 GB for 32 bit and 20 GB for 64 bit – For Windows 10 1903: 32 GB or greater |
| CPU | 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster processor or SoC that meet the following requirements:
– Compatible with the x86 or x64 instruction set. |
| Screen Resolution | 800 x 600 |
| Graphics | Microsoft DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver |
| Internet Connection | Required |
For the hardware requirements, you can check out the system requirements coverage details. As for the 32GB requirement, we had noted at the time that it could very well be because the operating system now reserving 7GB exclusively for Windows updates and system use. But that isn’t happening for every machine that’s upgrading to Windows version 1903.
To learn more, view new Windows 10 PCs. Here is How to get started with Upgrading your PC!
Should You Upgrade Your Operating System For Your PC To Windows 10?
Upgrade your PC from a previous version of Windows—such as Windows 7 or 8.1—to Windows 10. Important to realize, an upgrade can take place on your existing device, though Microsoft recommends using it on a new PC. To take advantage of the latest features and security improvements. Not to mention, an update ensures you have the most recent features.
As well as security improvements for your current version of Windows. In that case, if you want to update your device and need more info, see Windows Update: FAQ. Although you can purchase a full version of Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro for your Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 PC however, the best way to experience Windows 10 is on a new PC.
Today’s computers are faster and more powerful and come with Windows 10 already installed. And so, while it will continue to work after January 14, 2020, you should start planning to upgrade to Windows 10. Rather, or an alternative operating system, as soon as possible if you still use Windows 7.
Stick With Windows 7
Of course, if you run a business that still uses Windows 7, then you have a dilemma. Upgrading all your PCs to Windows 10, and retraining staff might prove tricky before Windows 7’s End of Life. But, you don’t want to risk running an operating system that doesn’t get security patches.
The good news is that Microsoft will be offering Windows 7 Extended Security Updates. However, these extended security updates will cost money on a per device basis, and it’s now been revealed just how much these Windows 7 extended security updates will cost.
For support for Windows Enterprise users using Windows 7 for the first year, the cost is $25 (around £20, AU$35). This rises to $50 per device (around £40, AU$70) for year two (January 2021 – January 2022). And $100 (around £80, AU$140) for year three (January 2022 to January 2023).
Extended Security Updates
It appears that at the moment that Microsoft is hoping by 2023. Meaning, Windows 7 users will be small enough to stop offering extended security updates. As this is a per-device cost, businesses with numerous PCs running Windows 7 will soon find this very expensive.
If they are using Windows 7 Pro, then those prices are even higher. With $50 (around £40, AU$70) for year one support, $100 (around £80, AU$140) for year two. And $200 (around £150, AU$280) for year three.
Sign Up As An Enterprise User
Theoretically, sign up as an Enterprise user if you’re a non-business user. In that case, who wants to keep using Windows 7. As there’s no minimum purchase necessary for the Windows 7 ESU, but we wouldn’t recommend it.
- Here’s how to use version 10 Windows
- See how a VPN for Windows can make your computer more secure
Although Windows 8 is more recent than Windows 7, it’s not going to be too long. Before that version too enters its End of Life stage.
So, you’re better off saving further hassle down the line by getting the newer (and let’s be fair, better) Windows 10.
Summing Up;
Since the release of Windows 10 October 2018 Update, version 1809, last year, Microsoft has been trying to come up with various strategies. Especially, that could help the company earn back user trust in its update process. Windows 10 May 2019 Update proved to be a much stable update but then was hit by bugs brought by cumulative updates.
The adoption rate is finally going up now that Microsoft has cleared all the bugs and people are rushing to upgrade to it before the next version drops. As for the next update, Windows 10 version 1909 will be a small update delivered like a monthly cumulative update to those running version 1903, causing minimal, if any, disruption.
Still, the company is focusing on the development of Windows 10 20H1 for new features. Hopefully, delivering bug-free feature updates that don’t push users to actively avoid them because of compatibility and performance issues.
Related Resources:
- Who are Cybercriminals?
- What is a Ransomware Attack?
- Windows Defender Antivirus
- Norton Antivirus & Security
- Download Free Kaspersky Antivirus
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