June 19, 2019

Windows 7 End-of-Life

Windows 7 End-of-Life

It’s been a good ride.

The Windows 7 Operating System has carried businesses through the past decade.A welcome replacement to Vista, Windows 7 spread happiness and efficiency into workplaces worldwide.  Enabling us to pin our favorite applications to the taskbar was its most famous innovation.  Genius.

In fact, people loved Windows 7 so much that when Windows 8 was released in 2012, the catchphrase “Wait before using Windows 8!” caught on like wildfire (Actually, this phrase was simply annotated “W8,” but you get the idea).  Our clients continued to order new Windows 7 computers for years after Windows 8 was the new thing.  Why choose something new when the old is so much more efficient?

But all good things must come to an end, and the end is nigh.   As of January 2020, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or support for Windows 7.   Translation: if your business has to comply with any security regulations (HIPAA, PCI-DSS, etc)—or, more generally, if you just want to make sure your data is secure from hackers—you CANNOT continue to use Windows 7 past January.

So, can you upgrade or do you need a new machine?

That is a great question, and of course the answer is “it depends.”  As a general rule, if your computer is older than 4 years, it is probably not worth the labor cost to upgrade it.  If your computer is younger than 4 years, you MIGHT be able to upgrade instead of replace it.

Now for the bad news:

The global market for the Central Processing Units used in all computers and servers is in a state of disarray.  Intel, the primary manufacturer of these chips, currently has a backorder list over 5 weeks long.  Given the frustration that all of us buyers are experiencing, it’s no surprise that AMD and other competitors are rising to the game.  But the market hasn’t settled down yet.  So, every time we order a server or a computer, we are adding 5-7 weeks of time onto the expected delivery date.  

The bottom line is: don’t delay replacing/upgrading your Windows 7 computers.  Call us!  We can help you create an upgrade / replacement plan that will fit your budget and timeline.  The sooner you contact us, the better!  (423) 534-3418 or alison@holstonit.com

Five years ago, we all went through something similar to this.   We had to pry Windows XP machines out of peoples’ hands.  Everyone loved XP!  No one was happy to see it go.   But

somehow, years later, you and I are still here: still breathing air, still serving our clients, still getting our work done.  We’ll make it through the Windows 7 departure too.


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