Last Call: Windows 7 Is Ending — Upgrade Now Or Face Consequences
As has been grabbing the IT headlines this year, on January 14th, Microsoft will cease to support Windows 7. That means users of this operating system should have already upgraded to Windows 10. If you’re one of the businesses that’s still clinging to Windows 7, this is your last call to upgrade before trouble strikes in January.
If you want to keep your data safe, Windows 7 will no longer be a viable OS for any business, big or small. It’s an essential upgrade in terms of keeping your IT system secure, but it’s also a smart upgrade in terms of working more productively in the future.
Whether you’re hanging on to Windows 7 because you’re worried about compatibility issues or wary of cloud computing, there’s still no benefit of staying on Windows 7 that isn’t outweighed by one of its many disadvantages. Here are some of the main reasons you should bite the bullet and upgrade to Windows 10 immediately:
Windows 7 End of Life
As explained, Windows 7 is being left behind by Microsoft so they can focus on providing advanced support and upgrades to their newer operating system, Windows 10. This happens with all of their old operating systems as new ones replace them.
What End of Life for Windows 7 means, then, is that security updates and other important support features of the operating system will no longer be available. Microsoft has already confirmed that Windows 7 will not comply with HIPAA and other critical cybersecurity regulations for businesses across several industries.
This means that by continuing to use Windows 7, you are putting your data at severe risk. Hackers will specifically target systems still running the outdated OS come January knowing that they are highly vulnerable. Further, if a data breach does occur, you will owe hefty non-compliance fees for failing to adhere to HIPAA or other cybersecurity regulations required in your industry.
Even if you’re worried about the risks of moving your data to the public cloud in order to perform the upgrade, these risks are not nearly as severe as the security risks that come with continuing to use Windows 7. What’s more, there are private cloud hosting options that can ensure you still maintain internal control and privacy of your data during and after the upgrade.
What if You Can’t Upgrade in Time?
Obviously, January 14th is quite close. Updating every IT system in your office is a bigger task than updating one personal laptop. You might not be able to sort out a company-wide upgrade in time on your own.
That’s why you should seek the help of a Managed Service Provider (MSP) to complete the upgrade to Windows 10. They can help you to upgrade in a time-efficient and cost-efficient manner. By outsourcing the upgrade to an MSP, you also don’t have to stress about excessive downtime or lost profits during the transition, as MSPs offer several solutions and phased migration plans to ensure business productivity continues during the upgrade.
How Total IT Can Help
If you need a Managed Service Provider to help you with the process of upgrading your company’s IT systems to Windows 10, Total IT is the partner for you.
Total IT Managed IT Services provides a comprehensive migration plan for your devices, testing to ensure potential challenges of the new OS are addressed, data backup and storage options, and continued support following the upgrade to ensure everything is in working order. Our goal is to make sure our clients get the best tech support available, and upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10 with the help of experts in the IT industry will ensure that happens.
If you want to learn more about how Total IT can help your business perform a Windows 10 upgrade office-wide, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our experts. Now’s the final call for this upgrade, so make sure you contact us today.
