Microsoft pulls support for popular operating systems: How to save your company

You’re choosing to leave your company doors wide open to attacks, ransom, and more unless you update your operating systems. This is not a drill.

Our previous newsletter talked over the basics of the EOL, or End of Life, that Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 are coming to. To recap; come January these operating systems are not supported. What does that mean? That hackers have written code and are prepared to launch it come the day of EOL and there’s nothing Microsoft will do about it. That means that these new strains of viruses, ransomware and keyloggers are one push of a button away from stopping your business dead in its tracks. Microsoft have given us all plenty of warning about this date, and it is fast approaching.

This is one of the best times to consider moving yourself towards the Cloud. Not only will the integration will be easy and cost efficient, but by moving to cloud your Operating System is always kept up to date, but will be on the latest version as well. You’ll never have to worry about upgrading again!

Will it still be safe to use Windows 7?

The constant evolution of computer viruses and other malware means security updates play a pivotal role in protecting a business’s data. Newly identified vulnerabilities will not be patched by Microsoft. Therefore, businesses that choose to continue running Windows 7 beyond this point will be doing so at their own risk. Leaving themselves vulnerable to cyber-attacks.

What’s the best route to change?

Implementing positive change can be expensive and time-consuming. To ensure your business experiences an efficient and cost-effective migration to Windows 10, you must understand your options: replace legacy systems with new devices that run Windows 10 or upgrade existing devices with a full version of the software.

Replacing legacy systems

According to Microsoft: “For most Windows 7 users, moving to a new device with Windows 10 will be the recommended path forward. Today’s PCs are faster, lightweight, yet powerful and more secure, with an average price that’s considerably less than that of the average PC eight years ago.”

Upgrading existing devices

Alternatively, it’s possible to upgrade compatible Windows 7 PCs by installing a version of the Windows 10 software. This may be the most cost-effective option in the short-term. However, it’s worth noting that PCs older than four years often cost more to maintain than a new Windows device.

How to implement your migration project

Avoid a situation where you need service or support that’s no longer available, by carefully planning your business’s migration to Windows 10. Having decided whether to replace or upgrade existing devices, it’s time to devise your implementation strategy.

Common issues to avoid during the migration

Avoid compatibility issues — evaluate the compatibility of Windows 10 with your business’s applications — these might include accounting, HR, CRM, and ERP. Despite being the most compatible version of Windows ever, take the time to coordinate with your application vendors to confirm their compatibility and avoid disruption further down the line. Applications that need upgrading should be tested separately prior to the upgrade to minimize user impact.

Avoid post migration issues — mitigate against potential post migration issues by implementing a strategic plan for each application. Adopting a proactive approach to your Windows 10 migration will help ensure a smooth user experience.

Avoid integration issues — some applications may require integration setup — this might include Outlook and CRM integration on the client PCs, browser add-ins and Office application plugins. To prevent any disruption, setup processes should be tested when upgrading to Windows 10.

Unsupported applications — although some applications may not be supported by Windows 10, this does not rule out an upgrade. For example, a legacy application can be replaced with a new Cloud-based solution.

Taking the time to implement your business’s migration to Windows 10 in a considered and well-planned manner will ensure a smooth transition for users and reduce risk.