Time is running out if you are still using Windows 7, with the operating system’s end-of-life deadline approaching fast.
Microsoft will no longer offer support for Windows 7 or its users as of 14th January 2020, less than a year away. This means there will no longer be any security patches applied which is a huge security risk and most developers of third party software won’t provide support for apps running on Windows 7.
Migrating to the next version of Windows (Windows 10) brings more security and productivity benefits that many businesses will appreciate. Windows 10 has facial and two-factor authentication and improved Windows Defender Guard to ensure only approved software can access user credentials.
Windows 7 is a known ransomware target with Windows 7 devices 3.4 times more likely to be hit with ransomware than a Windows 10 device.
Tanmay Ganacharya, principal group manager for Windows Defender Research wrote in a blog; "Attackers are targeting Windows 7. Given today’s modern threats, older platforms can be infiltrated more easily because these platforms don’t have the advanced built-in end-to-end defence stack available on Windows 10."
You still have time to upgrade before support runs out, but you need to start planning your upgrade now.
There have been reports that some applications have issues running on Windows 10, even though Microsoft is aware and addressing the issue, it means you need to investigate where you may have problems if you upgrade.
When looking at upgrading your operating system, it is usually a good idea to investigate a hardware refresh at the same time. This of course can add another layer of complexity to your migration but some older machines can struggle to run more resource intensive operating systems and may not perform as needed.