Editor’s Note:
This month, Prime welcomes the staff at Post Computer Systems of Wilbraham, MA, to our Technology page as our monthly Tech columnists. Thank you for becoming our local experts!
By Kate Thresher
Marketing, Post Computer Systems
In the Windows world, when Microsoft says “jump,” you jump. In this case, Microsoft is telling everyone to jump from Windows 7 to Windows 10 by January 2020. If you haven’t already made the transition, the prospect of such a significant change can be daunting, and with an End-of-Life declaration, the pressure has been put on even heavier. So, as a consumer, what does all of this mean to you?
What are some of the differences between Windows 7 and Windows 10?
Some basic features and functions are slightly different, such as the taskbar at the bottom of the screen, the settings menu, and the Start menu. The purpose of these is very similar to the Windows 7 version; however, Windows 10 allows for more customization and ease of access. Some settings options are located in slightly different places than they were in Windows 7; however, the “Help” and “Search” functions of Windows 10 make the difference palatable. The option to “pin” larger icons for frequently used programs can make your day-to-day use a little bit simpler. One feature that Windows 10 introduced that could be a bit of a hindrance is the option to sign in to the operating system and synch everything to a Microsoft account. In an attempt to make productivity more streamlined, Microsoft complicated the use for many people. Nonetheless, this “tool” can be turned off, and the computer can be used with a local account very similar to Windows 7.
What happens to Windows 7?
As of this moment, we don’t fully know what will happen with Windows 7; however, based on past experience, we can safely speculate. Like with Windows XP, Windows 7 is eventually going to succumb to obsolescence – it’s just a matter of when. Microsoft will end up pulling support, updates, and certain security features, so some webpages may not function, making browsing difficult. Based on our experience with the Windows XP End-of-Life, we can assume that some Internet add-ons such as Adobe, Flash, and Java will eventually pull their support with the end of Microsoft support and updates, though the exact time frame is still unknown. There has been some talk of Microsoft offering paid continued support for Windows 7, though it is rumored that this service will come at a substantial cost and is mostly aimed toward businesses.
What happens if I don’t switch to Windows 10?
Currently, because we are still speculating as to what will happen to Windows 7, we can only speculate as to what will happen to everyday use once it’s gone. Using Windows XP as a model, banking, financial, and government sites are likely to be unavailable to Windows 7 users due to lacking security requirements. The second significant change will be access to streaming sites such as YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon due to the lack of media “plug-in” support. Another issue that Windows 7 users will likely run into after January 2020 is Internet security – out-of-date and unsupported browsers like Internet Explorer are more likely to run into viruses.
What should I do before switching from Windows 7 to Windows 10?
We always recommend that one performs a backup before making any significant changes to their computer if they have important information such as family pictures, sensitive documents, school essays/dissertations, etc. – anything that would be heartbreaking to lose! Another important factor in upgrading is making sure that the computer itself can handle the switch. Older computers can have trouble with Windows 10 upgrades due to hardware limitations. Windows 10 needs a certain amount of “muscle” to run, and some computers may have difficulty.
Is it difficult to make the switch?
The switch from Windows 7 to Windows 10 can be tricky for some users, but with the right teaching, the learning curve is small. In most cases, the most challenging part is installing the updates and making sure Windows 10 sets up correctly. If you are hesitant to perform the update yourself, the best and easiest way to transition would be to find a knowledgeable family member or local service company that can help you install the updates and show you the basics of your “new” setup.
Once Microsoft ends support, your Windows 7 machine will not cease to function – it will still operate normally, though it will become a target for bad guys to exploit and compromise. It is best to have a strong, healthy computer to use the Internet on, and upgrading to Windows 10 is a good thing.
POST Computer Systems has been serving the Western Mass. community since 1992. Started in a basement in Wilbraham, the company continues to grow year after year thanks to the strength of their service department and the continued support from the local community.
If you have any questions or concerns, or to request a future Prime article topic, please reach out to the crew at POST Computer Systems by emailing: prime@pocosys.com
