As of January 2020, Microsoft has officially ended its support for Windows 7, over a decade after it was released back in 2009.
What’s Happening?
As we warned last July, any users currently running Windows 7 will no longer receive vital security updates. Yet many businesses and organizations are still running the outdated OS, leaving their computers vulnerable to security threats and viruses.
“16.79% of Windows users were still running Windows 7 in December”
source – Statcounter
To compound this, Windows customer service is also no longer to provide technical support for Windows 7. So users will have to fend for themselves until they upgrade their systems, preferably to Windows 10.
Thinking you can stave of the stress with a quick game of internet backgammon? Think again, as Microsoft have also discontinued that for Windows 7, as well as internet checkers and everyone’s favourite – the electronic program guide for Windows Media Centre.
‘Office 365 support’
On the bright side, Microsoft are supporting office 365 on Windows 7 for another 3 years, until 2023, to allow users time to change to a supported operating system.
During this time, Office 365 will receive security updates, keeping your data safer, but will not get any of the feature updates that upgraded members benefit from. And it will likely be impacted by performance and reliability issues over time.
What is GDPR compliance?
Enforceable since 2018, the GDPR is an EU regulation governing data protection and privacy. It states that any controller of data must design information systems with privacy as the priority.
If your business or organization stores any data concerning employees or customers, it is of absolute necessity that you upgrade right away. Running Windows 7 after January 14 means that you are no longer compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation, as the stored data is no longer secure. As a result, you could be liable for a fine.
What you need to do
You can do one of two things; either upgrade your IT setup to a supported operating system – preferably Windows 10 – or purchase a new raft of PCs with Windows 10 pre-installed.
Both will put you out of pocket. The free upgrade to Windows 10 expired in 2016, and new computers are always expensive.
Microsoft, however, strongly recommends the latter despite the larger costs:
My Organisation/ Business needs help
If you are a business or organisation in the North-West of England, then we can save you time and money.
Sensible Choice provides companies across Lancashire and Cumbria with office technology. So if you’re running Windows 7 and leaving your data exposed to cyber-threats, we can install a whole suite of brand new computers that will be secure, fast, and fully up-to-date.
For a free, no-obligation chat about how we can help your company, get in touch with us here.
Or give us a ring at 03333 583 689
