5 Tips on How to Upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10
The upgrade from Windows 7 is becoming more and more critical as the operating system quickly approaches the end of its life. After January 14, 2020, Microsoft will no longer provide what it calls “extended support” to users, meaning that users won’t get critical patches or security updates for the OS.
For organizations, this is a significant issue. Companies need operating systems that are secure and can protect personally identifiable data. Without support from Microsoft, Windows 7 will leave systems vulnerable to ever-advancing cyberthreats. Businesses that continue to use the operating system past the extended support date are at a much higher risk of a data breach, downtime, brand damage, and customer litigation.
The good news is that migrating to Windows 10 can protect you against these threats and even make your business processes more efficient. And even though the process can seem daunting, the upgrade is fairly straightforward. Check out these five tips on how you can make the upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 as smooth as possible:
Tip 1: Create A Plan Of Action
Migrating all your systems to Windows 10 is a significant undertaking. It’s vital, therefore, that you have a strategy in place to do so. By creating a plan for how and when you’ll upgrade each device, you’ll avoid many of the usual problems that can plague organizations when they first begin a major operating system transition.
Remember, migrating to Windows 10 isn’t something that you’ll be able to do overnight. The best strategies are those that update individual devices one at a time, instead of those that try to update the entire network in one fell swoop.
Tip 2: Check Whether You Qualify For Ongoing Support
While the official end-of-life date for Windows 7 is the middle of January 2020, Microsoft may still offer support if you have a support contract. You may find that the company is willing to extend security support beyond the official deadline and even help with the transition to Windows 10.
Be warned, though: Microsoft is pushing for businesses to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 as soon as possible. Windows 7 support will end, so it’s best to act now instead of waiting for the day the company removes support entirely.
Tip 3: Make Sure Your Hardware Is Compatible
As operating systems become more advanced, so too do their hardware requirements. That said, Windows 10 boasts greater compatibility for both hardware and software, so unless your business is using specialty hardware, you won’t likely have to replace it.
Check that your equipment will be compatible with the new OS and verify that the processors, RAM, and storage in your existing devices are sufficient to accommodate the new OS. Knowing whether you have the correct hardware is a somewhat technical exercise, so if you get stuck, consult with a managed service provider.
Tip 4: Gradually Implement Windows 10
Many organizations imagine that they need to transition all of their devices to Windows 10 in a single, all-at-once update. That’s not the case. Businesses should upgrade their machines a few at a time, starting with the most critical and then working from there.
The best approach is to test Windows 10 migration on a small number of representative devices first before rolling out upgrades across the rest of your devices. This process allows IT professionals to ensure stability and eliminate potential challenges with the new OS. It also allows your business to maintain end-user productivity and continue with usual operations.
Tip 5: Train Your Staff
Most of Windows 10 features will be familiar to your staff, but it’s still a good idea to train them on the new operating system to ensure they know how to maximize its new features. It’s also valuable to update them on cybersecurity awareness using Windows 10 to make sure your data is still kept private by your employees after the upgrade.
Windows 10 Benefits
Windows 10 offers businesses a host of benefits. Not only does it provide the latest features and security updates, but it is also fast becoming the software standard and therefore one of Microsoft’s most supported products. When developers create new programs, they do so with Windows 10 compatibility in mind.
Do you need help with Windows 10 rollout in your organization? If so, then you may need to seek the help of an IT services company in Hollywood. At STG IT, we fully understand the Windows 10 migration process and can carry it out quickly and efficiently. Contact us today to find out how we make upgrading to Windows 10 hassle-free.