All software comes with a predefined life cycle, at the end of which developers will no longer provide support for it. Despite being released nine years ago, Windows 7 still powers around a third of all computers used in the workplace. When mainstream support for the operating system ended in 2009, Microsoft offered extended support for business users — but only until January 2020, so there's not much time left to upgrade.
While it’s tempting to continue using a soon-to-be-deprecated software that seems to be working fine, doing so leaves users open to serious security breaches. Once Microsoft stops releasing security updates for Windows 7, it’s just a matter of time before hackers start exploiting the stragglers, like they did with Windows XP after it was retired.
Fortunately, there are many options for those who have yet to upgrade.
#1. Sign up for extended security updates
For larger businesses with hundreds or even thousands of computers, swapping over to a new operating system can be enormously expensive and time-consuming. At the same time, trying to rush the process can leave your operations open to serious disruption. For those who are still keen to keep using Windows 7, Microsoft has provided Extended Security Updates, which will be available until January 2023 — a further three years after extended support expires. But the program does come at a cost of $50 per user per year, increasing to $200 in the final year.
#2. Upgrade to Windows 10
Windows 8 and 8.1 suffered from low popularity and poor feedback, which is why many users have been reluctant to upgrade to Windows 10. It only finally overtook Windows 7 as the world’s most popular operating system earlier this year. However, while Windows 10 is by no means a perfect solution (there’s no such thing), it’s often hailed as the “last” edition of Windows in that it is provided as a continuously updated service. In other words, updates are streamlined and mandatory, thus finally eliminating concerns around obsolescence.
#3. Switch over to macOS
Apple’s products have often been considered exclusively consumer-facing, but recent years have seen a substantial uptake of iPhones and Macintoshes in the workplace, too. Although switching to macOS requires changing your hardware, it does come with the benefits of low maintenance, industry-standard design, and excellent usability. They are expensive and lack strong compatibility with Windows and other PC operating systems, but for many users, the pros far outweigh the cons.
#4. Choose a Linux distribution
Despite having the lion’s share of the desktop operating system market, Microsoft Windows isn’t the only solution worth considering. Linux is by far the most popular alternative, and it’s the only open-source operating system that has made a substantial market impact. However, while there are dozens of highly configurable Linux distributions to choose from, it still has a reputation for being primarily focused on the enthusiast sector. Nonetheless, Linux still powers many data centers and server systems, thanks to its high security and customizability.
#5. Migrate to the cloud
An increasingly popular alternative does away with desktop-side software entirely, but instead runs virtual machines hosted in the cloud. These machines can run almost any operating system you want, while the physical device in front of you provides only a barebones system like ChromeOS to access the internet and manage connectivity protocols. With all your data and applications stored in the cloud, you can enjoy much greater flexibility and scalability while avoiding the constant threat of technological obsolescence.
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