If you’ve been following our updates here, in person, and even in the news, you’re aware that Windows 7 will no longer be supported by Microsoft in January of 2020, next month! Most computers should be upgraded or replaced to run Windows 10 before then. And time is running out.
Your Windows 7 PC’s will not suddenly stop working next month, but they won’t be receiving critical security patches, which makes every Windows 7 computer still in use a target for the bad guys. If you haven’t started upgrading and replacing, it’s not too late. Getting a late start is better than waiting and hoping for no issues.
Some good news, although it comes with a cost… Microsoft is now offering an Extended Security Update (ESU) service for Windows 7 PC’s, as well as Windows Server 2008 servers. It’s an annual subscription that Microsoft says will offer critical security updates for Windows 7 and Server 2008 to those users who can’t or won’t upgrade right now. This was originally available only to customers with their Windows operating systems on special volume licenses (which is almost no one in a small or medium sized business) – so it’s something of a win that it’s now available for nearly everyone running Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate or Enterprise (but not Home) editions. It starts at $50/device and is expected to double annually and not be available after year 3. And really, no one should still be on Windows 7 or Server 2008 in 2023!
If your upgrades aren’t already underway, talk to us about how to get started, and finished quickly -- or how to enroll your PC’s into the Microsoft ESU.
