The end of life for Microsoft’s Windows 7 operating system arrived on January 14, 2020, and there are consequences for companies that still use this operating system for their computers. Businesses that have not yet made the transition to Windows 10 should be greatly concerned about the effects on their cybersecurity.
You may be a business owner who is puzzled about the meaning of Microsoft’s end of support for Windows 7. The following will discuss how this decision came to pass and what you should do about ensuring the IT security of your company.

The Reasons

After a period of time, an operating system will be phased out at the end of its life cycle. It eventually becomes impractical to continue patching and updating outdated software when a new and superior version is attaining high user satisfaction.
Eventually the time and effort devoted to providing updates for the old operating system will no longer make sense in business terms. In fact, Microsoft ceased Window 7’s mainstream support on January 13, 2015. Essentially, no additional features were created for this operating system after this date.

What Occurs After End of Life

After January 13, 2015, Windows 7 entered into its extended support period. However, the operating system remained protected by being regularly provided security patches and updates.
On January 14, 2020, Windows 7 began its End of Life period. Free support terminated on this date, exposing consumer and business computers to cyberattacks. Although you can keep using Windows 7, your PC will be more vulnerable to cyberattacks, malware, and other security threats.

Steps to Take

Companies should upgrade every Windows 7 machine to Windows 10 as soon as possible. For the most part it will be user-friendly, minimizing disruption. Purchase a copy, download the file, and run the installation. The majority of drivers and programs will be updated to be compatible with Windows 10, and their layout and interface will be similar to Windows 7.
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