From January 14th, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or support for Windows 7.
Even if your PC is still be working, it does not mean that it will be safe to use.
Why would that be?
Your PC will become more vulnerable to security risks because you will stop receiving security and
quality updates and Microsoft will no longer provide technical support for any issues.
That will also apply to Internet Explorer on Windows 7.
What are the risks?
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Hardware inefficiencies
With both Windows 7 and 8 being many years old, in the fast-moving industry,
they are not designed to run on the latest hardware, which may cause inefficiencies or even crashes.
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Cyber security attacks
As well as the technology, the cyber-attack techniques are also evolving quickly.
Therefore, to protect your PC from their attacks, you require constant security updates.
While Microsoft provides those kind of security updates, once they stop supporting older versions of software, you are no longer protected.
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Bug issues
Bugs were, are and continue to be unavoidable software and operating systems issues, which can cause a range of functionality glitches.
Microsoft continually identify bugs and provide fixes for Windows systems, via the regular system updates.
Therefore, end of support for a dated system, will mean no more bug fixes.
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Software incompatibility
If your PC might still be running on the outdated operating system, besides putting you at risk,
it may also limit you to running your other software on it. Especially if that software will require updates,
which may no longer be compatible with your old version of operating system.
If you will be faced with a need to purchase a new software, their developers designed it with a new
system specification to take advantage of its full capacity, such as processing speed.
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GDPR non-compliance
With the GDPR regulations about data security of your current and future customers,
as well as holding on to data of your old customer database, it is important that, that data,
would not only be stored securely, but also all the access to the information is secure.
With the end of support from Microsoft for Windows 7 on 14th January 2020 and Windows 8 in 2023,
the data you store or access through your machine running on non-supported operating system,
will put you and your business at risk and you will be seen as non-compliant within the GDPR rules.
If the access or storage of data you acquired will be at risk, and you won’t be able to prove to GDPR authorities,
that you took necessary steps to protect the data, you may be facing a heavy fines,
that will cost you more than a hardware or operating system upgrade, as well as the loss of your
customers trust and your business reputation.
Understandably, as much as you may love Windows 7, and you may think it works perfectly fine
and you may see no need in upgrading the hardware or software, you should not ignore the inevitable.
The best way to ensure you get the best protection from all the risks and experience
from Windows 10 is on a new PC, that will give you access to bug fixes, protection form cyber-attacks,
as well as assurance for the latest software and apps compatibility.
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