Windows 7 will officially reach it’s end of life phase on January 14, 2020 and will no longer be supported by Microsoft. Are you and your customers still running this operating system?
If you're a New Zealand based technology reseller or a business in the technology space, read on to understand why upgrading to windows 10 now, is vital.
For starters, why is Microsoft ending its support for the Windows version?
Windows 7 is an operating system (OS) that Microsoft released on 22nd October 2009 as part of the Windows NT family.
As technology continually evolves and changes, a hacker’s mission is to keep finding new ways to bypass existing security measures. In other words, hackers are becoming more sophisticated by the day. Companies like Microsoft are continually innovating to stay several steps ahead of the latest and evolving threat landscape.
Microsoft pledged a 10-year-support period when Windows 7 was launched and that comes to an end in January 2020. The Windows 7 End of Support (EOS) stands to leave many businesses vulnerable if they don't upgrade.
Will devices that rely on the Windows 7 operating system still operate if users ignore the upgrade?
Notebooks, tablets, desktops and any other gadgets that rely on the older operating system will continue to function normally. However, businesses risk exposure to severe risks that may have severe adverse effects.
Windows 7 users have received multiple reminders about EOS since April 2019, prompting them to upgrade. However, millions of users still haven't refreshed to modern devices running the safer and more secure Windows 10. This is particularly worrying for the New Zealand IT channel that are responsible for the IT environments for millions of businesses. It's paramount that businesses upgrade to Windows 10, to protect against vulnerabilities.
In a nutshell, here's what will happen after the EOS date passes for Windows 7:
- NO more windows security updates
- NO available technical support
- NO more software updates
Aside from avoiding attacks, businesses also stand to gain from refreshing their fleet to a modern device at a functional and productivity level. The following are the top advantages of refreshing your customers’ devices to the latest technology.
Why you should upgrade to Windows 10 NOW
Higher productivity
The OS comes with highly intuitive tools that transform any work environment into a highly efficient one. Windows 10 integrates Microsoft Office 365 and a diverse toolkit of applications and services.
Users on Android, iOS, Mac and Windows can edit and view files across the multiple devices. With OneDrive, users can edit and share in real-time. Windows 10 also comes with easy-to-use templates for creating marketing plans, budget proposals and business pitches.
Simplified administration
The administrator panel comes with a user-friendly interface built from customer feedback. Therefore, the entire setup addresses past issues of previous versions and the result is a solution that eases management for users.
With this version, installation and device management takes just a short five minutes to setup. No target configuration is necessary here, making management stress-free.
Heightened security
As cyber threats become more advanced no business should cut corners when it comes to IT security. Windows 10 features Windows Defender Advanced Protection (ATP) and a windows sandbox.
The sandbox allows users to first run untrustworthy programs in a detached environment. This way, the OS can detect whether a program is malicious or not, before executing.
More space creation
Space issues can affect a PC's performance. Without adequate space, it's also impossible to install important updates. Windows 10 offers several options for users to free-up disk space for the easier and smooth running of operations.
Autopilot with Windows 10
Deploy new devices into your customers’ environment with ease when using Microsoft Windows 10 Autopilot. Autopilot enables you to:
- Automatically join devices to Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) or Active Directory (via Hybrid Azure AD Join). See Introduction to device management in Azure Active Directory for more information about the differences between these two join options.
- Auto-enrol devices into MDM services, such as Microsoft Intune (Requires an Azure AD Premium subscription).
- Restrict the Administrator account creation.
- Create and auto-assign devices to configuration groups based on a device's profile.
- Customize OOBE content specific to the organization.
How you can upgrade to Windows 10
There are two options for upgrading to the new windows version;
- Purchasing a new modern device pre-installed with Windows 10*
- Purchasing a newer version of the OS and installing it in a compatible device
Dicker Data recommends upgrading to a new modern device. Installing Windows 10 on a legacy or incompatible device may limit the availability of some useful features.
With any upgrades there is always the conversation surrounding cost. This is one technological transformation that companies must undertake if they wish to remain relevant.
Click below to see some special upgrade offers from Dicker Data:
Save with these Windows 7 EOS solution bundles
Upgrade to a newer modern device with these special offers
Windows 7 EOS is fast approaching, and this is the time to transition. Companies risk exposing their businesses to data breaches and exploitation from cyber-attacks. Upgrading to Windows 10 also presents an opportunity for companies to upgrade their customers to modern devices running Windows 10.
Questions? Speak to your local Dicker Data New Zealand Representative today or email sales@dickerdata.co.nz.
