Although we wish they were, computer hardware and software aren’t designed to last forever. With technology evolving at increasingly rapid rates, it can sometimes feel that the lifespan of your latest investment has come to an end before it’s full potential has been unleashed. However, it’s essential that you continue to transition and upgrade – and we’re not just talking aesthetics or functionality.

Do I really need to upgrade?

Continuing to run out of date systems puts you at enormous risk of cyberattacks – with criminals frequently targeting end-of-life products due to their exceptional vulnerability. And the Windows 7 operating system, which goes out of support at the end of 2019, is no exception. Get the exact information from Windows here.

Why is everyone talking about Windows 7?

Windows 7 has been one of Microsoft’s most popular operating systems and is still a firm favourite today, with an estimated 30% of Microsoft PCs running the now decade-old OS. You may be one of those fans, but it’s imperative that you take stock of severe security implications, put preferences aside and replace or upgrade your PCs as soon as budget permits before the official end-of-life date.

But what does end-of-life mean? In a few short months, Microsoft will essentially end the Windows 7 lifecycle. You’ll still be able to use your PC, but Microsoft will no longer offer support, provide security updates or take responsibility for security breaches that happen to Windows 7 OS’s.

With malware being developed daily, you’re operating with a known risk of being hacked, losing all your data and business applications. You’ll also face fines for not being GDPR compliant due to using an unsecure OS that isn’t capable of adequately protecting customer data.

I’m running Windows 7. What are my next steps?

The time is now for users to make the leap to Microsoft’s latest, best-performing and most secure OS, Windows 10. This move, which can be managed by a service provider such as Sentis Managed Solutions, will ensure your ongoing resilience against cybercrime and adhere to legal requirements. We strongly recommend taking one of the following two paths:

For PCs under three years old (or higher specification units), you should upgrade to Windows 10.

For PCs over three years old, consider replacing the unit entirely with a new machine running Windows 10. This will ensure ongoing performance and resilience and help improve efficiencies over time.

If you need to transition, there’s still time. For support – including strategic and budgetary advice – contact Sentis Managed Solutions on 0345 862 2930.