Can you still get a free upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10?
byMark Townsend
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17 Jul, 2019
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What are the risks if I just remain on Windows 7 after January 2020?
As Windows 7 enters its final 6 months of support and the warnings start popping up in Windows update what are the options for those that still prefer Windows 7? Is it still possible to get a free upgrade to Windows 10 and what are the risks of just carrying on as you are after January 2020?I am getting a steady flow of customers switching over to Windows 10 either by purchasing a new Computer or upgrading what they have now. The last upgrade I did was about two weeks ago and that point in time I can confirm I was still able to get a free upgrade to Windows 10 for the Customer. The Microsoft offer has long since ended but the licencing Servers are still issuing free digital licences for those with a qualifying Windows 7 licence. If you are thinking of going for an upgrade rather than purchasing a new Computer I recommend that you do check on your Computer Manufacturer's website to ensure that the model of Computer you have is compatible with Windows 10 before proceeding. Samsung laptops in particular have problems with missing drivers because Samsung left the laptop market before Windows 10 was launched and simply haven't released all the necessary drivers for some of their laptops. This can be worked around by replacing components like the wireless lan card but it isn't much fun when you lose access to wifi half way through an installation.
I have some Customers who simply don't like Windows 10 or just don't want to learn a new Operating System. Some even upgraded to Windows 10 when the free offer was on and then switched back. When discussing the subject with these Customers they tell me they will remain on Windows 7 and just spend a bit of money on their Antivirus Software and Firewall and carry on. This approach does help with the side of things that people are aware of (viruses) but it is the other side of things (security vulnerabilities in the Operating System) that they struggle to understand. Windows 10 is already a much more secure Operating System than Windows 7 and once Microsoft stop issuing Windows updates for Windows 7 then any vulnerabilities found will exist forever. Vulnerabilities will be published on the Web and then you are not just at risk from highly skilled hackers but anybody else who has searched for and read the articles. Many Customers believe they will be okay for 3 months, 6 months or a year but I would urge caution when assuming this is the case. It is standard practice for hackers to hold back on exploiting vulnerabilities during the final months of support for an Operating System. They know that if they carry out the exploits the vulnerabilities will be fixed by Microsoft before the end of support. On the other hand if they wait until support has ended the vulnerability will remain forever. This means that there will already be a number of vulnerabilities lined up ready for launch as soon as support ends so there isn't any way that I can say to a Customer that they will be fine for a week, let alone up to a year. You may be but nobody can guarantee that and there isn't anything that you or I can do to guarantee it either. The exception of course is Businesses who have the funds to pay for extended support from Microsoft. Some Businesses have bespoke Software written for them which only works with Windows 7 and they will have the option to purchase extended support from Microsoft.
If you do remain with Windows 7 and all is okay initially you will find over time that you start to experience difficulty accessing certain websites. Banks and Building Societies start to detect outdated Web Browsers and block access and it gradually goes downhill from there as you find that programs you download don't work with your Operating System and eventually your Security Software no longer supports Windows 7. My recommendation is of course to either purchase a Windows 10 machine or upgrade your Windows 7 machine well before the January 2020 deadline. My experience when Windows XP disappeared was that everybody waited right until the end and then the IT Support Companies couldn't cope with the demand for assistance.
If you would like Churchdown Computers to carry out the upgrade for you and get you a free Windows 10 licence then call Mark on 07557 483438, e-mail mark@churchdowncomputers.co.uk or fill out the form at the bottom of theContact page.
