Microsoft has announced on their website that on January 14th, 2020, “security updates or support for PCs running Windows 7 will no longer be provided. Extended support for Office 2010 will end on October 13, 2020.”

If your business or home computer is still using Windows 7 after next January, you will be more exposed than ever before to malicious software. Any security flaws that are discovered after that date won’t be fixed, and so all of your data and connections to the world could be exploited soon after.

Naturally, you have questions. Those most frequently asked questions have been collected and answered for your convenience.

Will It Still Turn On?

Yes. Your computer will still power on and you can use it normally. The main concerns are security, and the inability to adapt to changes in your favorite programs.

Will My Antivirus Protect Me?

No. You should have antivirus software running on all of your devices, but most antivirus companies will discontinue their support sometime after Microsoft. Depending on your antivirus to protect you is not a healthy long-term solution.

When Is The Best Time To Make A Change?

Now – or at Christmas. The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to ensure your photos, videos, documents, and spreadsheets make the journey with you into a new system. So while it takes time and energy to update your operating system or to buy a new computer, this is not something to wait too long to do.

Should I Upgrade Windows Or Replace My Old Computer?

Since Windows 7 has not been sold for years, almost every computer with it installed would be better off getting replaced. This is especially true for business computers.