Windows 7 is Approaching End-of-Life

If you’re currently using a computer with Windows 7, it’s important to be aware that the End-of-Life date for this operating system is approaching. What does this mean for your business and the workstations that rely on it? Let’s dive in to find out.

End-of-Life Explained First, let’s clarify that your computers won’t suddenly stop working on January 14, 2020. End-of-Life, in this context, refers to Microsoft’s decision to end their extended support for Windows 7.

Mainstream support for Windows 7 ended on January 15, 2015. Since then, the operating system has not received updates with new features, but it has continued to receive essential security updates (provided Service Pack 1 was installed). However, once extended support ends, these critical security updates will no longer be released.

Understanding the Risks As the battle against cyber threats rages on, hackers continuously devise new ways to breach your system’s defenses. Software developers, in response, work diligently to improve defenses and create patches to counter these new threats. When Microsoft ends support for an operating system, they essentially acknowledge that continuing to protect it is challenging, as they need to focus their efforts on safeguarding newer and more updated systems.

Once the end of support date passes, any computer running Windows 7 will be vulnerable to potential attacks. The system will still function, but it will be exposed to the constant and genuine risk of intrusion.

Taking Action: Upgrade to Windows 10 To safeguard your computer and data, it’s crucial to install Windows 10 as soon as possible. Here are the minimum requirements your computer needs to meet for a successful upgrade:

• Processor: 1GHz processor or faster
• Memory: 1GB RAM for 32-bit; 2GB for 64-bit
• Hard disk space: Up to 20GB available
• Required video card: 800 x 600 screen resolution or higher. DirectX 9 graphics processor with WDDM driver

If your computer doesn’t meet these requirements, it might be time for an upgrade as well.

Reach Out for Assistance At ACCi, we understand the importance of managing your technology and keeping it up-to-date. Our managed services ensure that your equipment is optimized and operational to the best of its abilities. If you need help or more information on upgrading to Windows 10, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 205-987-8711. We are here to support your technology needs.