Windows 7 has had a really great run throughout these years since 2009 when it was released. Back then, it was launched as a successor-cum-replacement to Windows Vista, which couldn’t appeal to the masses. But when it hit the market, it was accepted worldwide as the key operating system for computer systems in both home and institutional settings. Infact, Windows 8 and 8.1 couldn’t prove to be a better replacement to Windows 7. The fact that a number of systems still run on Windows 7 is the living proof of its reliability and performance as an OS. But as the saying goes, all good things have to end. That said, the end date for Windows 7 support is quite near.
After the launch of Windows 10, Microsoft has been fixated on the new OS and is planning forward to its future. It’s not a decision imposed on users abruptly and nor Microsoft is wrong to do it. After a decade long run, it’s time to move forward. Windows ended support for Windows 7 back in 2015 and now the extended support is going to end on January 2020.
Learn from us what you can expect after Windows 7 support is permanently ended and why it is the right time to move on:
Possible Risks You May Face Once Microsoft Windows 7 Support Ends
As the Windows 7 end date hits the clock, you won’t be snatched off your OS. It’s not a kill switch. But, once the support drops, you must expect immediate major changes in your OS performance, which are enough to trigger you for an update.
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Lack of Features and Driver Updates:
Features include performance improvements via updates for drivers and bug fixes for OS. But that has already ended after mainstream Windows 7 support ended in 2015. Meaning, whatever Windows 7 OS you are using (if you are), isn’t getting better anytime.
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No Support for Lags and Crashes:
In case you experience lags on your system or f your Windows 7 applications crashes, do know it’s because there are no bug fixes done for Windows 7 at this moment. Which also means, that Microsoft won’t offer you any support for the issues caused due to lack of bug fixes and updates. So, as it is already an end of support for Windows 7, you may think for switching to the latest Windows 10 version.
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No Windows 7 Security Updates:
No security updates for Windows 7 implies that your systems, whether in corporate or home setting, are highly vulnerable to malware injections, ransomware attacks, phishing attempts, and other hacking activities. Currently corporations are receiving extended support for the same; however, once it is the end date of Windows 7 support, Microsoft won’t address any of the issues associated with hacking on Windows 7. It’s a serious calling for an upgrade to Windows 10.
What Happens at the End of Support for Windows 7?
The main concern with Microsoft ending support for Windows 7 is the vulnerabilities against cyber-attacks. Users have reported a number of cybersecurity issues on Windows 7 since the support ended and corporates are hanging on extended support for defenses against hacking attempts. Now just like every other PC, you save credentials, surf the web, and save passwords. But, without proper security patches and updates, the system may be more prone to hacking attacks, which ultimately risks the safety of your saved data. Yes, your third-party antivirus software would come in handy for a while, but as the Windows 7 OS would age, without official bug fixes, those software’s reliability would also wear off, leaving you with no option but to upgrade.
Plus, there would be an inevitable loss of support for software upgrades, driver upgrades, as well as support for functioning third-party applications. Once Windows 7 support ends and future upgrades stop, users, won’t be able to use high-end graphics cards, game controllers, and intensive apps on their Windows 7 PC.
Microsoft already hinted at all of this in 2015. It is impossible for Microsoft to run both OS and support all users with the latest upgrades. To make the performance of systems better, it has to focus on one compatible OS and have it achieve the best possible reliability and credibility.
What to do in Such a Scenario?
Here are your options after Windows 7 support end date hits your calendar:
- Continue to use Windows 7 under ended support, which obviously won’t last long.
- Upgrade to Windows 10, enjoy regular upgrades and use compatible apps and latest hardware on your PC. (You can even upgrade to Windows 10 using Windows 7 key).
- Change OS and switch to Mac, which is probably the best replacement there is.
Among these options, upgrading to Windows 10 is the best deal, as it won’t require much hassle and won’t cost you as much as switching to Mac and ditching off your Windows PC.
Keep up Driver Updates after Upgrading to Windows 10
Windows 10 is regularly being upgraded and so are the drivers for system hardware and applications on the PC. Despite OS upgrades, you can’t rely on outdated drivers to get the best system performance.
Updating drivers in Windows 10 is a bit of a more complex though. To update drivers, you can head to Device Manager and update all the drivers manually. The system would scan for driver updates and roll out from the source if any is available.
But, it gets annoying updating drivers through this manual process. To reduce this complexity, you can use Advanced Driver Updater and update all drivers without hassle. Here’s how it works:
Step1: Open Advanced Driver Updater on your system.
Step 2: Click on Scan Now.
Step 3: A driver scan would run on the system.
Once all the available driver updates are listed, click on Update All and the tool would automatically update all the drivers.
No guesswork. No hassle. No manual scans. Just three simple steps and you get the best performance from your Windows 10 upgrade. So, download Advanced Driver Updater for your Windows 10 upgrades or existing Windows 10 versions to automate configuration and update system drivers.
Windows 7 may be going out but it gnarred amazing response from users throughout its decade long run. But now is the time to switch and upgrade to Windows 10. With the latest hardware and application support, Windows 10 can offer you the best performance output. And with consistent updates of drivers for peripheral devices and hardware output, you can make the more out of it per your requirements and usage.
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