Time’s Up For Microsoft Windows 7 & Server 2008 Users
Since the beginning of the new year, we’ve been getting a lot of panicked calls from current and potential clients, all asking about the same thing – Microsoft Windows 7 and Server 2008 end of life.
In case you didn’t know, all support for Microsoft Windows 7 and Server 2008 ended on January 14, 2020. This means no more bug fixes, security updates, free support options, or online technical content updates. Over time, the usability of Windows 7 and Server 2008 will rapidly degrade.
Those who planned ahead are well into the process of (or already done) upgrading to Windows 10. Those who haven’t are panicking.
In order to help educate those in the latter group, Integris recently hosted a webinar on the topic, explaining exactly what end of life means, and what users need to do about it.
What Do You Need To Know About Windows 7 & End Of Life?
Hosted by Albert Whitestone, Business Development Manager for Integris, and Kevin Martins, Principal Partner Technical Architect for Microsoft, the webinar began by recognizing the wide-spread popularity of Windows 7.
Originally launched in October 2009, Windows 7 was designed to replace Windows Vista. Within two and a half years, Windows 7 was in use for 630 million systems around the world. Over the course of its 10-year lifecycle, Windows 7 became one of the most popular operating systems ever.
That’s why end of life is so significant. Microsoft worked hard to educate the hundreds of millions of worldwide users about the need to upgrade before January 14, 2020, but inevitably, not all of them have.
Soon enough, those still using Windows 7 will encounter a range of issues. Without security updates and bug patches, you’re leaving yourself open to a number of risks, from system lag and performance issues to increased vulnerability to cybercrime.
What Do You Need To Know About Windows 10 Migration?
Although Microsoft offers automated systems migration capabilities, you shouldn’t just migrate your systems without any forethought or strategy. There are a few points to consider first:
- Business Software Compatibility
If you’re using older line of business software, you may be concerned about how compatible they are with newer operating systems. That’s why Microsoft has developed a range of services to help mitigate those compatibility problems. Most of the software you’re currently using can still be supported on a new operating system – but make sure to check and find out for sure.
- Migration Planning
You may also be worried about how your users will be impacted by the migration. Even a few hours of downtime can be detrimental to your organization’s productivity. That’s why it’s best to execute migrations during the evening and after hours. That way, your staff leaves one day having used Windows 7, and comes back the next day to start using Windows 10.
- Hardware Requirements
Just like software, it’s important to check that your current hardware is compatible with the most current Windows Operating System (Windows 10). This means checking:- The space on your solid-state drive or hard drive.
- The RAM or memory requirements.
- The CPU or Processor.
That said, most systems bought within the last five years should be capable of running Windows 10. You won’t necessarily need cutting-edge hardware to make this operating system work.
If your hardware doesn’t meet the requirements, it may be best to purchase a new machine with Windows 10 installed. Then you can reinstall any current applications that you require.
Lastly, before you start, you should figure out if you can handle the migration on your own. There’s no shame in needing help. Especially when it’s a matter of migrating all your apps, data and other IT assets to a totally new environment.
Integris can help. Our team has migrated thousands of systems to Windows 10 already, giving us the experience needed to make sure your migration works right the first time.
Like this article? Check out the following blogs to learn more:
It’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month…Are You Prepared?
Beyond SolarWinds: 7 Next Steps for Business Cybersecurity
Microsoft Teams: A Necessity for Effective Remote Workforces
