Businesses running Windows 7 laptops and desktop PCs will soon have to start paying for security updates and extended support.
From January 2020 business customers will have to pay an fee for ‘Windows 7 Extended Security Updates’ if they want to receive security patches for their OS.
With nearly 38% market share, Windows 7 is still the second most used Windows version despite being launched in 2009. Thousands of UK business rely on it daily and are now in danger of missing out on important security updates which protect their PCs from online threats.
How can business users update Windows 7?
Organisations have three options once free Windows 7 support ends:
- Continue using Windows 7 unsupported and risk the company network becoming infected
- Pay Microsoft for Windows 7 Extended Security Updates. Pricing has not been announced but Microsoft have confirmed they will offer 3 years worth extended support, with the price increasing each year
- Upgrade to Windows 10
Windows 10 is the most secure version of Windows available and is updated regularly by Microsoft. The simplest way to upgrade is switching to Microsoft 365 Business which includes:
- Windows 10 licence with security and other updates
- Microsoft Office 365 Business Premium
- Windows Autopilot
- Mobile device management
