By Peter Dorotiak, Director at Aspect IT
Microsoft officially ended their support for Windows 7 on January 14.
But according to StatCounter, approximately 27 per cent of all Windows users are still using Windows 7.
Are you one of those people? If so, read our Q&As on why you shouldn’t be using Windows 7 and what you can do about it.
Can I still use Windows 7?
Yes, Windows 7 will continue to work long after January 14. But Microsoft do not recommend you do so.
Then why should I stop using it?
Microsoft has ended all support for Windows 7. This means any new issues or security flaws will not be fixed by Microsoft.
What does this mean for me?
As Windows 7 will not receive security updates, your computer will become more vulnerable to malware attacks. Malware writers do not normally target out of date operating systems because they do not have many users. However, Windows 7 still has a lot of users worldwide and this makes it an attractive target.
Can I upgrade for Free?
Prior to July 2019, Windows 7 users could upgrade to Windows 10 for free. However, everyone must now pay for the upgrade.
Should I just buy a new computer?
This is a tricky question. Not all computers can be upgraded because of the extra processing power and resources that Windows 10 requires, so you may need to buy a new computer.
Of course, you should always check your current computer to see if it meets the minimum Windows 10 requirements, and if it does, then you may not need to buy a new computer and an upgrade may be more cost effective.
However, you will also have to consider what applications you are using.
Need Help? We are computer experts and support small to medium sized businesses throughout Greater Manchester.
Find out more about visiting our website www.aspectit.co.uk or call 0161 241 9050.
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