Paying to Make Windows 7 Work Again
Information technology's been almost two years since Microsoft officially ended support for Windows 7 in Jan 2020. The stop shouldn't take come up every bit a surprise to Windows users: Microsoft promised ten years of product support for Windows 7 when it was released in Oct 2009, earlier shifting focus to supporting newer technologies, similar Windows 11.
That means Microsoft no longer offers technical assistance or software updates to your device, and the company encouraged people to upgrade to Windows 10 to keep their PCs and laptops secure. (If yous're a Windows eight.ane user, extended support for that Os won't end until January 2023.) Only don't worry -- you can still use this play a joke on to download Windows 10 for gratuitous if you desire to. And with Windows 10, you tin can upgrade to Windows 11 for free.
Continue reading for everything you need to know most the cease of Windows vii support, and how to make the switch to Windows x.
The customizable Start menu on Windows 10.
Nate Ralph/CNETRead more: How to download Windows 10 for free
Why did Microsoft end support for Windows vii?
Microsoft has a long-established Fixed Lifestyle Policy for many of its products. For each version of its Bone, the company offers a minimum of 10 years of support (at least five years of Mainstream support, followed by 5 years of Extended support). Both types include security and plan updates, cocky-assistance online topics and actress help you can pay for.
Windows vii was released in October 2009, and so its ten-yr life cycle has come to a close. Windows ten was released in 2015, and extended support for the latest version of the OS is slated to end in 2025.
Read more:New to Windows 10? Hither'southward how long Microsoft will support it
Will my Windows vii computer stop working?
Your Windows seven figurer will go along working, simply Microsoft won't provide security updates or fixes, or technical back up for any issues -- leaving your figurer at greater risk from viruses and malware that may circulate to accept advantage of any flaws that are subsequently discovered.
That'south why it's critically important for you lot to switch to an Os version that Microsoft will still put resources behind.
Read more: Windows 7 support is dead, but these seven security tips will notwithstanding protect your laptop
Do I have to make the switch to Windows 10?
No ane can force you to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10, but you're leaving your devices and potentially your privacy vulnerable if you don't make the jump. Without security updates or fixes, you're putting your computer at risk -- an especially dangerous option, as many forms of malware target Windows devices.
Windows x also has a number of congenital-in security tools: Windows Defender Antivirus protects against malware and spyware across electronic mail, apps, the cloud and the web, while Windows Hi offers a countersign-gratuitous sign-in selection to unlock your devices with your face up or a fingerprint reader. A Notice My Device service can lock and erase your Windows device remotely, or map the location of your device.
Read more than:The best antivirus protection of 2022 for Windows 10
Isn't Windows 10 pretty buggy?
Some people have been hesitant to brand the switch due to reports of several bugs in earlier versions of Windows ten. But Microsoft has made several changes to its update approach since so. The biggest change came with the May 2022 release, including slower rollouts with boosted testing, more options for pausing updates and more disclosure of known bug, and then your experience should be smoother.
Many of the issues were due to the fact that updates are happening more frequently, said Gartner Enquiry analyst Steve Kleynhans. "Just overall most users seem pretty happy with the OS and like the feel it brings, specially on newer devices," he added.
Read more than: 6 unproblematic security changes all Windows 10 users need to brand
What'south the difference between Windows seven and Windows 10, anyway?
Besides a suite of security tools, Windows 10 as well offers more features. One is the Your Phone app, which allows you to access texts, notifications and apps from your phone using your PC -- similar to Apple's Continuity features. A feature called Calls allows you to identify and respond Android calls on your PC (and you can connect your iPhone to your Windows PC as well). A dictation feature lets you easily record ideas.
Microsoft's digital assistant Cortana is also available on Windows 10 PCs. The OS as well integrates better with Microsoft OneDrive and other deject tools.
Read more: 11 easy Windows ten tricks yous didn't know about
The about recent Windows 10 Nov 2022 update includes features similar new Wi-Fi security standards and other changes aimed at management and security.
Dissimilar previous versions of the OS, Windows 10 offers automatic updates by default, to continue systems more secure. (You tin turn these off if yous want to, by going to Windows Update Settings > Avant-garde Options and changing from Automatic to another option in the drib-downward menu.)
Read more: 5 Windows 10 features that vanquish what yous had on Windows 7
How do I upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows ten? How much will it cost me?
You can buy and download Windows ten via Microsoft's website for $139. While Microsoft technically concluded its free Windows ten upgrade program in July 2016, as of November 2021, CNET has confirmed the complimentary update is still bachelor for Windows 7, 8, and 8.i users. Check out our footstep-past-step guide on how to upgrade to Windows 10 for free.
Read more: twenty pro tips to make Windows 10 work the style you want (free PDF) (TechRepublic)
Source: https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/windows-7-to-10-upgrade-seriously-heres-why-you-need-to-update/
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