Upgrading Windows 7: your key questions answered

It’s been 10 long years since the release of the well-loved Windows 7 operating system. A duration which, in technology terms, is quite literally a lifetime.

And if you’re one of the 38% of desktop and laptop users still using it, you’re probably aware Windows 7 is reaching its end of life. From the 14 January 2020 all extended support from Microsoft will cease.

If you continue to use Windows 7 beyond this date, you’ll be left extremely vulnerable to security threats. From botnets that infect your computer so it can be remotely controlled for malicious activities, to malware that can reformat your computer’s hard drive and cause you to lose all your files. There are few businesses that would want or be able to afford to take cybersecurity risks.

A “it won’t happen to me” mindset can lead to catastrophic costs arising not only from data loss and downtime, but serious reputational damage.

I understand I need to upgrade Windows 7 but what are the main considerations?  

There’s a variety of operating systems available but most businesses choose to upgrade Windows 7 to Windows 10, which is Microsoft’s current and most advanced operating system. Whether you’ll need to purchase new PCs equipped with Windows 10, or download the new operating system to existing PCs, will depend on how old they are. If the PCs are less than three years old, it makes more financial sense to download the new operating system rather than buying new.

How long will the upgrade take?

Upgrading a PC less than three years old to Windows 10 shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours. However, that’s not a good reason to leave it to the eleventh hour. There’s always the chance of unexpected issues arising, which can lead to delays and costly downtime.

If your PCs are older than three years, it will be important to consider the purchase of new replacement PCs and even improving your IT infrastructure as a whole. When software like this reaches its end of life, it’s a great opportunity to give both your hardware and software a spring clean. Proactive management of your IT network is key to keeping everything running securely, reliably and efficiently.

Clearly planning and implementing any additional IT changes will take longer than simply downloading the operating system in isolation to other considerations.

How much is it likely to cost?

You can purchase the Windows 10 Professional operating system for £200 per PC.

Alternatively, you can purchase a new PC complete with Windows 10 for around £400, depending on specifications.

For charities, special hardware and software discounts of up to 98% (yes 98%) are available. If you’re not aware of this, please get in touch and we will explain more.

Can I install Windows 10 myself?

Yes, it is possible to install Windows 10 without external IT support but there are a few things to consider. For example, older devices with full hard drives or devices with a 32 GB hard drive may need additional storage space to complete the upgrade. Some apps also have to be uninstalled during the upgrade while others have to be deleted due to incompatibility issues with Windows 10. It’s therefore important to plan the upgrade carefully to ensure you don’t run into unexpected issues.

Why is it important to upgrade Windows 7?

Our short video explains why upgrading Windows 7 is so important:

Upgrade Windows 7 with the support of Orbits IT

Whether you plan to upgrade your Windows 7 operating system now or later in the year, please contact us today on 02920 003 313 / 0121 270 3377. We are happy to provide a no obligation audit of your existing IT and schedule any necessary upgrades.