Windows 7 end-of-life
Why should you care
Staying with Windows 7 is also very dangerous. There will be no protections against the latest security hazards. The best firewall and anti-virus software cannot protect your computer. The operating system itself is not equipped to handle the latest security threats. And because Microsoft is no longer providing support for these products, you are liable for anything that happens—and that can be costly. In fact, regulated industries like healthcare and finance have rules against using older software. Violating rules can result in large fines and even jail time.
You also won’t be able to update your software. Software updates are always optimized for the latest operating systems. That means you will not be able to update your software to fix any possible bugs. As time goes on, the older versions of your software will reach end-of-life as well. You will no longer be able to get support from both the software and the operating system. This can also lead to unexpected downtime. Older software is more likely to crash, so you will lose money as you have more and more technical problems.
Next steps
- Upgrade to Windows 10: This is the recommended option. You can still use a Windows 7 product key to upgrade to Windows 10 for free. If your computer is too old to run a new operating system, it makes more sense to buy a new computer. You will have to upgrade your hardware eventually anyways. It is also easy to transfer your files to Windows 10 by using the Media Creation Tool.
- Switch to another operating system: If you are feeling adventurous and want to try something new, now would be a good time to switch to Linux or Mac. Make sure you use the Mac Migration Assistant to transfer your files. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you can go to an Apple store to use their PC data transfer service.
- Stick with Windows 7: If you have your heart set on sticking with Windows 7, make sure you are careful with your computer’s security. Be prepared to pay both the high maintenance rates and any possible costs that will occur if something goes wrong.