14 DAY TRIAL // This week Windows 7 reached end of mainstream support, which means that no new features and free support are being offered to customers running it, but extended support continues to be available until January 2020.
In other words, Windows 7 Service Pack 1 computers will continue to get updates and improvements from Microsoft, but security experts across the world warn that, despite this, users shouldn’t get too comfortable, especially because it takes a lot of time to migrate to a newer OS version.
Independent security expert Graham Cluley wrote on We Live Security that the death of Windows 7 is not in any way imminent and extended support is all you need to remain secure in the next five years.
Start planning your upgrades
But in spite of this, Cluley recommends users, and IT administrators in particular, to start planning their upgrades to a new operating system, especially because it usually takes more than just a few months to move to a fresh and more secure platform.
Just look at Windows XP. Back in April 2014, when Microsoft pulled the plug on XP support, no less than 27 percent of desktop PCs worldwide were still running it and there still are some organizations right now that struggle to move to a newer OS.
In Windows 7’s case, this thing can be avoided if you start planning the upgrade right now, he says.
“If you’re responsible for looking after Windows computers in your company, it’s time to start thinking about your transition plan now. Putting it off until tomorrow only increases the chances of you being caught out when time really is rapidly running out…” he writes.
“Don’t panic. But also don’t get too comfortable. Start thinking now about when you are going to start the process of making sure those Windows 7 machines get upgraded.”
At this point, Windows 7 is the world’s number one desktop operating system, and more than 50 percent of the computers are powered by this particular version. Obviously, it’s going to be a really tough mission to get people off Windows 7, and Windows 10 is really going to play a critical role in this attempt.