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Windows End of Life

All You Need to Know About Windows End of Life

Did you know that Microsoft had recently ended their support on some windows? The company had ended its extended support for both Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 operating systems on January 14 this year. This essentially means that these products will no longer receive free technical support as well as software and security updates from Microsoft.

For the uninitiated, “end of support” pertains to the specific date when the software vendor no longer provides automatic fixes, updates, or online technical assistance. As you may or may not be aware, all software products have a lifecycle, and Windows is also subject to the end of support.

The biggest question is: how will this affect your system and even business in general? We’ll be answering this crucial question in the following sections. 

1. Windows 7 end of support

  • What happens: Every IT product goes through a life cycle. Whenever Microsoft comes up with a new version, the replaced product essentially heads towards the end of support, which is what happened with Windows 7. While you can still use the operating system, the company will already put security updates into a halt and no longer offer IT support.
  • Security issues and concerns: Using Windows 7 past the end of support date comes with serious security matters. The chances are that your computer becomes extremely vulnerable to security risks and you also won’t receive security updates and upgraded features. Ultimately, you will not want to be a victim of online hackers and spies that can compromise your business.

2. Windows Server 2008 end of support

  • What happens: What happened to Windows 7 is what occurred to Windows Server 2008 as well, where both operating systems had the same plight. This means that while you can still use the Windows Server 2008 at this time, you won’t get the necessary security updates and IT support services from Microsoft.
  • Security issues and concerns: Similar to Windows 7, your Windows Server 2008 will be completely vulnerable to cyberattacks if you continue using this version of the system. Understand that online hackers will most likely target businesses that are using the old and outdated operating system. As the system no longer has security updates and support, it will not be able to fight off the malware or protect your business from online attacks. Another problem is how your business will be tagged as non-compliant in the industry. For this reason, it’s imperative to consider an upgrade for your operating system.

Steps to take for windows end of life

Given the end of support for both Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008, the most logical course of action is to consider upgrading your operating systems. Be sure to get in touch with your IT service provider and see what options they have. Opt for the most advanced operating system that can provide your business the needed IT support services and security updates. If your budget permits, consider upgrading to Windows 10 as recommended by Microsoft.

Conclusion

Today’s technologies are always welcomed, yet they are bound to end at a certain point in time. This is because both hardware and software aren’t designed to stay for life, meaning that even your Windows has its expiration date as well.

As far as Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 are concerned, consider the valuable information discussed above to avoid any security problems and implications. Ultimately, it’s best to get in touch with your IT service provider to upgrade your operating system for the safety and security of your business.

Do you want to upgrade your computer’s operating system? We’re a computer shop in Barnsley providing various IT support services, from computer repairs to VoIP solutions. Get in touch with us to see how we can help!

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