On January 14th, 2020, Microsoft will discontinue supporting the Windows 7 platform. This means that the company will no longer provide technical support, software updates, or security updates for Windows 7 users. Here’s what you need to know:
Why is the Windows 7 Lifecycle Ending?
Every Windows product has a lifecycle determined by Microsoft. Microsoft has stated, “The lifecycle begins when a product is released and ends when it’s no longer supported. Knowing key dates in this lifecycle helps you make informed decisions about when to update, upgrade or make other changes to your software.”
Can I continue to use Windows 7?
Yes, Windows 7 will continue to work after January 14, 2020, but you will stop receiving security and feature updates. This can leave you vulnerable to viruses and hackers.
Why should I consider upgrading or replacing my Windows 7 system?
Viruses and malware are developed all the time to exploit vulnerabilities in operating systems. Without regular updates, your data and security are vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Hackers, cyber criminals, and virus developers will often wait to exploit vulnerabilities until after the end-of-life of an operating system, knowing that it will not be patched.
Additionally, support for Internet Explorer on Windows 7 devices will also be discontinued on the same date, creating similar security concerns for Windows 7 users.
Trade in, Trade up
Starting Thursday October 17th, Comprenew is offering 15% off Windows 10 computers in exchange for a functioning Windows 7 computer. At Comprenew, we are committed to refurbishing and recycling retired electronic devices and giving them new life whenever possible. Upgrading to a newly refurbished Windows 10 unit with Comprenew helps support our mission to provide job-readiness training and digital literacy classes to those in need. Stop in today to trade in, trade up, and support your community.
Comprenew is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
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