To be precise, Windows 7 is still a widely popular operating system across the world. But as usual all good things come to an end. Those who will be using Windows 7 would be exposed to a large number of online threats.
So, to ally some of these fears, here is the list of 7 things you should know about the Windows 7 end of life.
1. What exactly is Windows 7 end of life?
End of life is a terminology commonly used by Microsoft to determine the time when the company would no longer support an operating system or application. In the case of Windows 7, it implies that from January 14, this Windows version would no longer receive security patches. Furthermore, you also cannot connect with Microsoft to fix bugs and problems.
2. The number of users accessing the Windows 7 platform till now
Well, you would be astonished to know that Windows 10 became fully popular at the end of the fourth quarter of 2018. Till then Windows 7 was the most preferred operating system for a multitude of users. There are more than 1 billion Windows users in this world. So, with Windows 7 officially receiving end of life, hundreds of millions of people would be affected.
3. Does the end of life from Microsoft applicable to all Windows 7 versions?
Well, if you mean Windows 7 versions like the Home and the Pro, then yes- 14 January is officially the date when Microsoft would terminate all its support resources for Windows 7. However, if you are using Windows 7 embedded systems in point-of-sale terminals, then it is better to contact Microsoft to extend your support.
4. How security of a user would be affected using Windows 7?
The users who are still relying on the Windows 7 platform would likely to suffer in terms of security. From 14 January onwards, Microsoft would not release security patch updates. This can seriously hamper the security of the devices running Windows 7.
Also Read: Data Protection Framework – Why it matters?
5. Can a user still use Windows 7 after 14 January?
To be frank, no one can prohibit you from using Windows 7. But note that you would be using an operating system which is no longer supported. On the other hand, there would be no security updates to keep your device’s firmware updated. If you are okay with this form of security measures, then you are good to use Windows 7.
Also Read: Why to choose Techchef for all your data recovery needs?
6. How can you move to Windows 10 from Windows 7?
If you want to upgrade to Windows 10, you can do so free of charge. However, you have to use a full and valid Windows 10 license. You should also have a PC or a laptop which should be compliant with the specifications of Windows 10. But remember that once you upgrade to Windows 10, you cannot downgrade to Windows 7. Let’s take a look at the minimum specs of Windows 10.
Processor: 1 GHz
Memory: 1 GB
Connectivity: Internet access
Disk Space: Up to 20 GB of space
7. The aspect of extending your Windows 7 support
Well, you can still extend your Windows 7. If you simply don’t want to upgrade to Windows 10, you can extend your Windows 7 support till 2023. However, you have to incur the charges of availing Microsoft support.
Let’s hope that the above-mentioned things would clear your doubts on Windows 7 End of Life. While migrating to Windows 10 from Windows 7, safekeeping of data is always important. Thus, if you want any assistance related with safekeeping of data, contact Techchef.
