No, no, move that over there. Yes, and if we put that there, then she’ll have something to lean on if she needs it. Grab that little table, she likes to have one next to her!
OK, and we’re done. It’s important to make changes to accommodate older friends and family, even if they are a little bit past their best.
This is not how it works in the computer industry though, as extended support for Windows 7 users will end on the 14th January, 2020. Well, unless you want to pay through the nose to have it continued.
For those unsure as to what this means to their business, in essence it means that the support you are currently receiving to guarantee your computer’s security will be no more, and thus will gradually become less secure, making it more susceptible to infections and hackers.
This begs the question of what to do next for Windows 7 users – of which there are many amongst you, our loyal readers and customers. Well, you COULD accept Microsoft’s charge for ongoing support, however this is primarily designed for large organisations, which means that realistically, your best bet is to bite the bullet and upgrade to Windows 10!
There are, as one would expect given the time lapse, a number of significant developments which will benefit most business users – and residential ones for that matter. For instance, Windows 7 was only able to function on PCs. At this point, Microsoft have been able to synchronize the operating system so that it will operate on PCs, tablets, phones and even other products such as Xbox. If it isn’t clear why this could be beneficial, let me explain. Any app that you purchase or use for one device, will be transferrable across all other devices. Allowing your work computer to become your tablet, and vice versa. Ideal for working on the move.
There has also been an increase in demand for voice-controlled personal assistants. Siri and Alexa, to mention just two have become mainstays in many people’s lives, and Microsoft have created their own version for Windows 10 in Cortana. Obviously this isn’t for everyone, but Cortana has been designed in a way to be non-invasive – if you don’t want to use her then… well, just don’t!
A taskbar-based search function has been added (which can be aligned with Cortana incidentally), which can allow you to search the Internet without having to actively go in-browser. This will primarily sync itself with Microsoft’s new web browser, Microsoft Edge. Whilst there are still faster, and more reliable alternatives in my opinion, Edge is a massive step up on Internet Explorer and can be useful at times.
For those considering merely taking an incremental step up, and changing to Windows 8 rather than splashing out on Windows 10, my advice – simply don’t do it. Windows 8 was panned widely for both its functionality, and its design. Windows 10 learnt from this by going back to a far more Windows 7 like feel, which should make it easier to settle in with it. Additionally, if you take on Windows 8, you’re just going to have to do the same thing in a couple of years anyway.
On a different note, now probably IS the right time to upgrade to Windows 10 machines. Whilst you DO still have eleven months to do it, the direction of Brexit is still leaving the tech industry in an uncertain place, both in terms of what will happen to prices after March 29th, but also availability of products, as many systems and components will need to be imported from EU countries. There is no easy way to predict what the outcome will be; however, prices now may well be the best they’re going to be – for a little while at least.
If you would like to discuss upgrading your products at this time, we will as always be all too happy to help. You can contact us by phone, on 023 9298 8855, on social media, on our Facebook (BEA Solutions) or Twitter (@BEASolutions), or you can use the form on the contact page of this website. One of the team will be on hand to provide honest, measured advice.
Until next time!
Zarte