There are countless reasons to run the Windows operating system (OS) on a Mac computer, but the main one is so you can use apps designed for PC on an Apple machine. However, there are other benefits that make virtualizing Windows on your Mac worth it regardless of your software needs.

Configure an entire machine with a few clicks

With programs like VMware and Parallels, installing Microsoft’s OS on your Mac is almost as easy as creating a new document in Office. The process varies between vendors, but it’s usually akin to clicking File and New and then choosing between Windows XP, 7, 8 or 10, and typing in your product key.

Deciding how much hard drive space and RAM get devoted to your virtual machine is also simple and user-friendly. For example, allocating memory to your Windows partition is done by sliding a marker along a scale that is color-coded based on the recommendations of your virtualization software.

Once you’ve completed these simple steps, click Finish and the rest will be configured for you.

Picture-in-picture computing

Older OS virtualization solutions forced you to choose which platform you would use by presenting the options while the computer was still booting up. Once you picked one OS, there was no way to switch without restarting the computer.

Now, you can open Windows as if it were just another desktop application. This is especially useful when you need to work in both OSs simultaneously. Just adjust your Windows screen to half the size of your monitor and use the other half for MacOS applications.

Another reason this is so important is because it allows you to run multiple versions of Windows at the same time. Half of your screen could be running an outdated application in Windows XP while the other half is working in Windows 10.

Touchbar support

The customizable touchscreen that was added to Apple’s flagship laptop line is a great way to create shortcuts and increase productivity. Virtualization applications have added Touch Bar support so you can use it to interact with Windows applications.

For example, a Touch Bar button for opening Cortana — Microsoft’s AI assistant — is included in the Parallels virtualization software. Alternatively, you can also use Apple’s keyboard-based touch screen to toggle between virtual OSs or interact with your Mac while still working in Windows.

Single Application Mode

Containers are a popular subset of virtualization solutions that allow you to give users access to a single application rather than an entire OS. Unfortunately, they are incredibly difficult to set up and manage. Updates to Mac virtualization software have simplified the process with a “Single Application Mode” whereby administrators can grant employees access to pre-configured Windows partitions with only one program installed.

Snapshots

Regardless of whether you’re a certified virtualization professional or a consumer trying to make it work with low-cost software, everyone makes mistakes. With saved configurations of Windows installs known as Snapshots, you can start over without having to set up everything from scratch.

If one of your Windows partitions becomes infected with malware, loading a Snapshot rolls everything back to its original state so you don’t have to configure the virtual hardware or retype the Windows product key. Best of all, restoring a Snapshot is much quicker than a fresh install.

Taking advantage of everything virtualization has to offer involves a lot of IT planning and maintenance. Fortunately, it’s all within reach for small- and medium-sized businesses that partner with a managed IT services provider. Contact us today to learn more.

If you own an Apple computer, you might think it’s impossible to install Windows-based software on it. But with operating system (OS) virtualization, you can run any application you want and enjoy exciting new cross-platform features.

Configure an entire machine with a few clicks

With programs like VMware and Parallels, installing Microsoft’s OS on your Mac is almost as easy as creating a new document in Office. The process varies between vendors, but it’s usually akin to clicking File and New and then choosing between Windows XP, 7, 8 or 10, and typing in your product key.

Deciding how much hard drive space and RAM get devoted to your virtual machine is also simple and user-friendly. For example, allocating memory to your Windows partition is done by sliding a marker along a scale that is color-coded based on the recommendations of your virtualization software.

Once you’ve completed these simple steps, click Finish and the rest will be configured for you.

Picture-in-picture computing

Older OS virtualization solutions forced you to choose which platform you would use by presenting the options while the computer was still booting up. Once you picked one OS, there was no way to switch without restarting the computer.

Now, you can open Windows as if it were just another desktop application. This is especially useful when you need to work in both OSs simultaneously. Just adjust your Windows screen to half the size of your monitor and use the other half for MacOS applications.

Another reason this is so important is because it allows you to run multiple versions of Windows at the same time. Half of your screen could be running an outdated application in Windows XP while the other half is working in Windows 10.

Touchbar support

The customizable touchscreen that was added to Apple’s flagship laptop line is a great way to create shortcuts and increase productivity. Virtualization applications have added Touch Bar support so you can use it to interact with Windows applications.

For example, a Touch Bar button for opening Cortana — Microsoft’s AI assistant — is included in the Parallels virtualization software. Alternatively, you can also use Apple’s keyboard-based touch screen to toggle between virtual OSs or interact with your Mac while still working in Windows.

Single Application Mode

Containers are a popular subset of virtualization solutions that allow you to give users access to a single application rather than an entire OS. Unfortunately, they are incredibly difficult to set up and manage. Updates to Mac virtualization software have simplified the process with a “Single Application Mode” whereby administrators can grant employees access to pre-configured Windows partitions with only one program installed.

Snapshots

Regardless of whether you’re a certified virtualization professional or a consumer trying to make it work with low-cost software, everyone makes mistakes. With saved configurations of Windows installs known as Snapshots, you can start over without having to set up everything from scratch.

If one of your Windows partitions becomes infected with malware, loading a Snapshot rolls everything back to its original state so you don’t have to configure the virtual hardware or retype the Windows product key. Best of all, restoring a Snapshot is much quicker than a fresh install.

Taking advantage of everything virtualization has to offer involves a lot of IT planning and maintenance. Fortunately, it’s all within reach for small- and medium-sized businesses that partner with a managed IT services provider. Contact us today to learn more.

Is your PC running slowly? It could be because of all the digital clutter it has to deal with. Clutter can impede your computer’s performance and eat away at its memory. To have your computer performing at top speed again, you need to get rid of these five types of clutter. Here’s how to do it using built-in tools from Windows.

There are five types of clutter that may be causing your computer to perform so slowly. Usually, simply resetting or refreshing Windows will help you solve these issues.

1. Windows updates – includes failed update downloads. While Windows will delete some of these corrupted and unusable files, others will hang around forever unless you reset Windows.
2. Registry bloat – includes files and applications you’ve deleted in addition to every action performed in Windows, which is recorded in your computer’s registry. Redundant entries bog down your PC, and the solution is to reset Windows.
3. Error logs – log files kept by Windows whenever software in your system encounters errors in processing or crashes altogether. And, as with registry bloat, these log files accumulate and slow down your computer. To remove these space-eating files, reset Windows.
4. User bloat – refers to large numbers of your own files, especially if they’re unorganized. Refreshing Windows will take care of this problem.
5. Bloatware – refers to unwanted preinstalled software. It takes up tons of CPU, RAM, and disk space, as well as poses a raft of security risks. To get rid of it, use Windows 10’s Fresh Start feature, which basically reinstalls Windows 10 while backing up your data, settings, and native apps. It will get rid of most apps from your system, including bloatware.

As mentioned, you can either reset or refresh Windows to remove clutter of all types. When you reset, a brand new copy of Windows 10 is installed and your system is “reset” to its original state, which may include non-Microsoft apps and bloatware added by the hardware manufacturer. On the other hand, when you refresh, your PC reinstalls Windows 10 free of any bloatware. Both will delete Windows 10 apps and your customized settings, and will give you choices of keeping your old files or deleting them.

To get started, go to Start > Settings > Update and Recovery > Recovery. If you want to reset Windows, choose Reset this PC > Get Started and then follow the instructions. If you want to refresh Windows, you first need to find out what your Windows update version is, since the processes are a bit different.

• For the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, start by going to Settings app > Recovery > Reset this PC. This will reinstall Windows from local system files and not the latest version. This also gives you the option of deleting all your data.
• For the Windows 10 Creators update, begin the refresh process by following the same procedure as above. But this update also has the Fresh Start feature, which you’ll find by going to Windows Defender > Device Performance & health. You’ll find Fresh Start toward the bottom of the menu; click Additional info > Get started. With Fresh Start, you’ll get the latest version of Windows plus all the updates.

There are innumerable ways to make your computer perform faster and more efficiently, and our Windows experts are equipped with all the tricks of the trade. Give us a call today.

Unused apps, error logs, and user bloat are some things that may be cluttering up your computer, causing it to function at less than peak performance. So how do you remove clutter from your PC and get it to run smoothly again? These Windows tools have got you covered.

There are five types of clutter that may be causing your computer to perform so slowly. Usually, simply resetting or refreshing Windows will help you solve these issues.

1. Windows updates – includes failed update downloads. While Windows will delete some of these corrupted and unusable files, others will hang around forever unless you reset Windows.
2. Registry bloat – includes files and applications you’ve deleted in addition to every action performed in Windows, which is recorded in your computer’s registry. Redundant entries bog down your PC, and the solution is to reset Windows.
3. Error logs – log files kept by Windows whenever software in your system encounters errors in processing or crashes altogether. And, as with registry bloat, these log files accumulate and slow down your computer. To remove these space-eating files, reset Windows.
4. User bloat – refers to large numbers of your own files, especially if they’re unorganized. Refreshing Windows will take care of this problem.
5. Bloatware – refers to unwanted preinstalled software. It takes up tons of CPU, RAM, and disk space, as well as poses a raft of security risks. To get rid of it, use Windows 10’s Fresh Start feature, which basically reinstalls Windows 10 while backing up your data, settings, and native apps. It will get rid of most apps from your system, including bloatware.

As mentioned, you can either reset or refresh Windows to remove clutter of all types. When you reset, a brand new copy of Windows 10 is installed and your system is “reset” to its original state, which may include non-Microsoft apps and bloatware added by the hardware manufacturer. On the other hand, when you refresh, your PC reinstalls Windows 10 free of any bloatware. Both will delete Windows 10 apps and your customized settings, and will give you choices of keeping your old files or deleting them.

To get started, go to Start > Settings > Update and Recovery > Recovery. If you want to reset Windows, choose Reset this PC > Get Started and then follow the instructions. If you want to refresh Windows, you first need to find out what your Windows update version is, since the processes are a bit different.

• For the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, start by going to Settings app > Recovery > Reset this PC. This will reinstall Windows from local system files and not the latest version. This also gives you the option of deleting all your data.
• For the Windows 10 Creators update, begin the refresh process by following the same procedure as above. But this update also has the Fresh Start feature, which you’ll find by going to Windows Defender > Device Performance & health. You’ll find Fresh Start toward the bottom of the menu; click Additional info > Get started. With Fresh Start, you’ll get the latest version of Windows plus all the updates.

There are innumerable ways to make your computer perform faster and more efficiently, and our Windows experts are equipped with all the tricks of the trade. Give us a call today.

It doesn’t take long for computer desktops and hard drives to become cluttered, and it’s probably why your PC has been so slow lately. Luckily, Windows has great tools for getting rid of these five types of digital clutter that will have your computer performing like new in no time flat.

There are five types of clutter that may be causing your computer to perform so slowly. Usually, simply resetting or refreshing Windows will help you solve these issues.

1. Windows updates – includes failed update downloads. While Windows will delete some of these corrupted and unusable files, others will hang around forever unless you reset Windows.
2. Registry bloat – includes files and applications you’ve deleted in addition to every action performed in Windows, which is recorded in your computer’s registry. Redundant entries bog down your PC, and the solution is to reset Windows.
3. Error logs – log files kept by Windows whenever software in your system encounters errors in processing or crashes altogether. And, as with registry bloat, these log files accumulate and slow down your computer. To remove these space-eating files, reset Windows.
4. User bloat – refers to large numbers of your own files, especially if they’re unorganized. Refreshing Windows will take care of this problem.
5. Bloatware – refers to unwanted preinstalled software. It takes up tons of CPU, RAM, and disk space, as well as poses a raft of security risks. To get rid of it, use Windows 10’s Fresh Start feature, which basically reinstalls Windows 10 while backing up your data, settings, and native apps. It will get rid of most apps from your system, including bloatware.

As mentioned, you can either reset or refresh Windows to remove clutter of all types. When you reset, a brand new copy of Windows 10 is installed and your system is “reset” to its original state, which may include non-Microsoft apps and bloatware added by the hardware manufacturer. On the other hand, when you refresh, your PC reinstalls Windows 10 free of any bloatware. Both will delete Windows 10 apps and your customized settings, and will give you choices of keeping your old files or deleting them.

To get started, go to Start > Settings > Update and Recovery > Recovery. If you want to reset Windows, choose Reset this PC > Get Started and then follow the instructions. If you want to refresh Windows, you first need to find out what your Windows update version is, since the processes are a bit different.

• For the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, start by going to Settings app > Recovery > Reset this PC. This will reinstall Windows from local system files and not the latest version. This also gives you the option of deleting all your data.
• For the Windows 10 Creators update, begin the refresh process by following the same procedure as above. But this update also has the Fresh Start feature, which you’ll find by going to Windows Defender > Device Performance & health. You’ll find Fresh Start toward the bottom of the menu; click Additional info > Get started. With Fresh Start, you’ll get the latest version of Windows plus all the updates.

There are innumerable ways to make your computer perform faster and more efficiently, and our Windows experts are equipped with all the tricks of the trade. Give us a call today.

Amazon has had storage options for Linux file servers for some time, but it recognizes that a number of companies still use Windows file servers, and they are not content to cede that market to Microsoft. Today the company announced Amazon FSx for Windows File Server to provide a fully compatible Windows option.

“You get a native Windows file system backed by fully-managed Windows file servers, accessible via the widely adopted SMB (Server Message Block) protocol. Built on SSD storage, Amazon FSx for Windows File Server delivers the throughput, IOPS, and consistent sub-millisecond performance that you (and your Windows applications) expect,” AWS’s Jeff Barr wrote in a blog post introducing the new feature.

That means if you use this service, you have a first-class Windows system with all of the compatibility with Windows services that you would expect, such as Active Directory and Windows Explorer.

AWS CEO Andy Jassy introduced the new feature today at AWS re:Invent, the company’s customer conference going on in Las Vegas this week. He said that even though Windows File Server usage is diminishing as more IT pros turn to Linux, there are still a fair number of customers who want a Windows-compatible system and they wanted to provide a service for them to move their Windows files to the cloud.

Of course, it doesn’t hurt that it provides a path for Microsoft customers to use AWS instead of turning to Azure for these workloads. Companies undertaking a multi-cloud strategy should like having a fully compatible option.

We are driven by instinct to switch to tools that increase efficiency. This is as true as when our ancestors upgraded to sharper spears, as it is now as we continually update the operating systems of our Macs. However, there have been so many macOS improvements over the years that we often overlook the more beneficial ones. To help you out, we’ve compiled a checklist to help you reach the top of your game.

Declutter with Desktop Stacks

Because of enhanced syncing capabilities, the Mac Desktop is the best place for making files accessible from all your synced devices, be they on macOS or iOS. However, clutter can quickly build up on the Desktop, and it’s such a time-consuming hassle to organize everything.

Thankfully, Stacks can declutter your screen with just a few mouse clicks. Simply click on the desktop, then click View > Use Stacks. Or you can Control-click (right-click) on the desktop, then click Use Stacks. Stacks will then group files of the same kind together by default. Images will be in one pile, while docs, PDFs, and presentations will be in their own separate piles.

Of course, you may use a different filing method. Click on the desktop, then View > Group Stacks By, then choose a category, such as tag or date modified, among others.

Use Universal Copy and Paste

Ever had an image or piece of text that you found on one device and wanted to use in a program opened in another computer? We had to send ourselves emails or instant messages just for those juicy bits of content! Thankfully, Apple’s new universal copy and paste feature makes things easier.

Assuming you’re logged on to multiple devices using one iCloud account, you can just copy stuff from one device and then paste it onto another — no other extra steps required!

Reduce clicks further by just dragging text

Within the same device, you can highlight text in one app window, then drag-and-paste it directly onto another app window — no need to copy or cut. You can also drag the text to the desktop to create a new text clip document.

Converse with Siri on your Mac

Now that Siri’s on the Mac, you can use the personal assistant to perform side tasks while you complete your spreadsheets or polish your presentation without being sidetracked.

There are many ways to activate Siri:

• Click the Siri icon found in the menu bar, Dock, or Touch bar.
• Simultaneously press and hold the Command key and Spacebar until Siri responds.
• If Siri is already up, click the Siri icon or the mic icon in the Siri window.
• Just say “Hey, Siri.” (This only works on 2018 MacBook Pro models, and only when the computer lid is open).

With Siri open, you can then ask it to describe the weather in Maui, locate taco joints near you, and invite more participants to your 2:00 p.m. meeting by name, among many other things.

Run Windows

While this tip may be unpalatable for Mac purists, having Windows as an extra operating system gives users access to software that macOS doesn’t have. Obviously, this eliminates the hassle of having to rely on busy Windows-using teammates to help you out.

You can use a virtualization app such as Parallels Desktop, VMware Fusion, or VirtualBox to run Windows alongside macOS. Alternatively, you can partition your hard drive and use Boot Camp Assistant to install Windows on your hardware.

To recap, here’s our time-saving checklist:

• Declutter your desktop with Stacks
• Take advantage of universal copy and paste
• Simply drag text across app windows
• Multitask with Siri
• (Optional) Use Windows alongside macOS

Curious about how to make the most out of your Macs? Talk to us — we’d be more than happy to complete your checklist and more to help your business become more efficient.

“Time is money” may be a cliche, but it is worth repeating because it’s true. In fact, Apple incorporates many time-saving features onto its macOS updates so that Mac users become more efficient the longer they use their machines. Use our checklist to become the time-saving machine you’re meant to be.

Declutter with Desktop Stacks

Because of enhanced syncing capabilities, the Mac Desktop is the best place for making files accessible from all your synced devices, be they on macOS or iOS. However, clutter can quickly build up on the Desktop, and it’s such a time-consuming hassle to organize everything.

Thankfully, Stacks can declutter your screen with just a few mouse clicks. Simply click on the desktop, then click View > Use Stacks. Or you can Control-click (right-click) on the desktop, then click Use Stacks. Stacks will then group files of the same kind together by default. Images will be in one pile, while docs, PDFs, and presentations will be in their own separate piles.

Of course, you may use a different filing method. Click on the desktop, then View > Group Stacks By, then choose a category, such as tag or date modified, among others.

Use Universal Copy and Paste

Ever had an image or piece of text that you found on one device and wanted to use in a program opened in another computer? We had to send ourselves emails or instant messages just for those juicy bits of content! Thankfully, Apple’s new universal copy and paste feature makes things easier.

Assuming you’re logged on to multiple devices using one iCloud account, you can just copy stuff from one device and then paste it onto another — no other extra steps required!

Reduce clicks further by just dragging text

Within the same device, you can highlight text in one app window, then drag-and-paste it directly onto another app window — no need to copy or cut. You can also drag the text to the desktop to create a new text clip document.

Converse with Siri on your Mac

Now that Siri’s on the Mac, you can use the personal assistant to perform side tasks while you complete your spreadsheets or polish your presentation without being sidetracked.

There are many ways to activate Siri:

• Click the Siri icon found in the menu bar, Dock, or Touch bar.
• Simultaneously press and hold the Command key and Spacebar until Siri responds.
• If Siri is already up, click the Siri icon or the mic icon in the Siri window.
• Just say “Hey, Siri.” (This only works on 2018 MacBook Pro models, and only when the computer lid is open).

With Siri open, you can then ask it to describe the weather in Maui, locate taco joints near you, and invite more participants to your 2:00 p.m. meeting by name, among many other things.

Run Windows

While this tip may be unpalatable for Mac purists, having Windows as an extra operating system gives users access to software that macOS doesn’t have. Obviously, this eliminates the hassle of having to rely on busy Windows-using teammates to help you out.

You can use a virtualization app such as Parallels Desktop, VMware Fusion, or VirtualBox to run Windows alongside macOS. Alternatively, you can partition your hard drive and use Boot Camp Assistant to install Windows on your hardware.

To recap, here’s our time-saving checklist:

• Declutter your desktop with Stacks
• Take advantage of universal copy and paste
• Simply drag text across app windows
• Multitask with Siri
• (Optional) Use Windows alongside macOS

Curious about how to make the most out of your Macs? Talk to us — we’d be more than happy to complete your checklist and more to help your business become more efficient.

In the IT industry, continuous improvement is the name of the game. Whatever makes a business work faster, smarter, and more effectively is a welcome competitive advantage. If you’re a Mac user, do you think you’re taking advantage of all of the best time-saving tips out there? Here’s a checklist you can use to find out how well you’re using your machine.

Declutter with Desktop Stacks

Because of enhanced syncing capabilities, the Mac Desktop is the best place for making files accessible from all your synced devices, be they on macOS or iOS. However, clutter can quickly build up on the Desktop, and it’s such a time-consuming hassle to organize everything.

Thankfully, Stacks can declutter your screen with just a few mouse clicks. Simply click on the desktop, then click View > Use Stacks. Or you can Control-click (right-click) on the desktop, then click Use Stacks. Stacks will then group files of the same kind together by default. Images will be in one pile, while docs, PDFs, and presentations will be in their own separate piles.

Of course, you may use a different filing method. Click on the desktop, then View > Group Stacks By, then choose a category, such as tag or date modified, among others.

Use Universal Copy and Paste

Ever had an image or piece of text that you found on one device and wanted to use in a program opened in another computer? We had to send ourselves emails or instant messages just for those juicy bits of content! Thankfully, Apple’s new universal copy and paste feature makes things easier.

Assuming you’re logged on to multiple devices using one iCloud account, you can just copy stuff from one device and then paste it onto another — no other extra steps required!

Reduce clicks further by just dragging text

Within the same device, you can highlight text in one app window, then drag-and-paste it directly onto another app window — no need to copy or cut. You can also drag the text to the desktop to create a new text clip document.

Converse with Siri on your Mac

Now that Siri’s on the Mac, you can use the personal assistant to perform side tasks while you complete your spreadsheets or polish your presentation without being sidetracked.

There are many ways to activate Siri:

• Click the Siri icon found in the menu bar, Dock, or Touch bar.
• Simultaneously press and hold the Command key and Spacebar until Siri responds.
• If Siri is already up, click the Siri icon or the mic icon in the Siri window.
• Just say “Hey, Siri.” (This only works on 2018 MacBook Pro models, and only when the computer lid is open).

With Siri open, you can then ask it to describe the weather in Maui, locate taco joints near you, and invite more participants to your 2:00 p.m. meeting by name, among many other things.

Run Windows

While this tip may be unpalatable for Mac purists, having Windows as an extra operating system gives users access to software that macOS doesn’t have. Obviously, this eliminates the hassle of having to rely on busy Windows-using teammates to help you out.

You can use a virtualization app such as Parallels Desktop, VMware Fusion, or VirtualBox to run Windows alongside macOS. Alternatively, you can partition your hard drive and use Boot Camp Assistant to install Windows on your hardware.

To recap, here’s our time-saving checklist:

• Declutter your desktop with Stacks
• Take advantage of universal copy and paste
• Simply drag text across app windows
• Multitask with Siri
• (Optional) Use Windows alongside macOS

Curious about how to make the most out of your Macs? Talk to us — we’d be more than happy to complete your checklist and more to help your business become more efficient.

Microsoft only supports each version of Window for a certain period and the end of its support for a software product can be a significant challenge for businesses. Currently, Windows 7 is on “extended support” until January 14, 2020. What does it mean when Microsoft terminates support of your Windows version? Let’s have a closer look.

No more security updates

End of support for Windows means Microsoft stops issuing security updates for that operating system (OS). For example, Windows Vista and Windows XP can no longer receive security updates despite the substantial security holes found in them.

On January 14, 2020, the same will be true for Windows 7. From there, you’ll be on your own. You can still use antivirus tools and other security software for protection, but they won’t be enough to defend against bigger threats. Security software will also gradually drop support for older versions of Windows. Large organizations can sign “custom support” contracts to keep getting security updates while they transition to a new OS. But Microsoft will ratchet up the price going forward to encourage those organizations to move to a new version of Windows.

Software companies will halt support too

When Microsoft ends support for an OS, that’s also the signal for third-party companies to stop supporting that particular version of Windows with their own software and hardware. This doesn’t happen immediately but it does eventually.

For example, Windows XP support ended on April 8, 2014, but Chrome didn’t stop supporting Windows XP until April 2016, two years later. Mozilla Firefox stopped supporting Windows XP in June 2018. Steam will officially drop support for Windows XP and Windows Vista on January 1, 2019. On the other hand, software companies dropped support for Windows Vista more quickly, as it was much less popular than Windows XP.

New hardware may not work

New hardware components and peripherals will stop working on your system too. These need hardware drivers, and manufacturers might not create those hardware drivers for your old, out-of-date OS.

Presently, the latest Intel CPU platforms don’t even support Windows 7 and 8.1. However, the operating systems are technically still in “extended support.” You can keep using your old OS with your current software and hardware, but you have no guarantees of future updates or compatibility.

When will Microsoft end support?

Microsoft has a well-defined support lifecycle for its software products. They come ahead of time so they’re never a surprise. The agreement includes the assurance that Microsoft is committed to providing products with improved security. While they may be unable to provide security updates for older products, they do advise customers to install the latest product releases, security updates, as well as service packs to remain as secure as possible.

Upgrading is better than using unsupported Windows

The support lifecycle is rapidly fading away as Microsoft shifts to its Windows as a service and Office 365 subscription models. If you want to prevent security frustrations, it’s best to upgrade to a newer version of Windows. Should you need help in upgrading, or have further concerns about your current Windows, give us a call.

According to NetMarketShare’s September 2018 data, 40.88% of users are still using Windows 7. The popular operating system (OS) is currently on extended support, but only until January 14, 2020. For Windows 10, the support clock runs out sooner than you might expect. Learn how the end of support for your Windows version can affect you, and why making an upgrade will be an absolutely important task to keep your PC safe.

No more security updates

End of support for Windows means Microsoft stops issuing security updates for that operating system (OS). For example, Windows Vista and Windows XP can no longer receive security updates despite the substantial security holes found in them.

On January 14, 2020, the same will be true for Windows 7. From there, you’ll be on your own. You can still use antivirus tools and other security software for protection, but they won’t be enough to defend against bigger threats. Security software will also gradually drop support for older versions of Windows. Large organizations can sign “custom support” contracts to keep getting security updates while they transition to a new OS. But Microsoft will ratchet up the price going forward to encourage those organizations to move to a new version of Windows.

Software companies will halt support too

When Microsoft ends support for an OS, that’s also the signal for third-party companies to stop supporting that particular version of Windows with their own software and hardware. This doesn’t happen immediately but it does eventually.

For example, Windows XP support ended on April 8, 2014, but Chrome didn’t stop supporting Windows XP until April 2016, two years later. Mozilla Firefox stopped supporting Windows XP in June 2018. Steam will officially drop support for Windows XP and Windows Vista on January 1, 2019. On the other hand, software companies dropped support for Windows Vista more quickly, as it was much less popular than Windows XP.

New hardware may not work

New hardware components and peripherals will stop working on your system too. These need hardware drivers, and manufacturers might not create those hardware drivers for your old, out-of-date OS.

Presently, the latest Intel CPU platforms don’t even support Windows 7 and 8.1. However, the operating systems are technically still in “extended support.” You can keep using your old OS with your current software and hardware, but you have no guarantees of future updates or compatibility.

When will Microsoft end support?

Microsoft has a well-defined support lifecycle for its software products. They come ahead of time so they’re never a surprise. The agreement includes the assurance that Microsoft is committed to providing products with improved security. While they may be unable to provide security updates for older products, they do advise customers to install the latest product releases, security updates, as well as service packs to remain as secure as possible.

Upgrading is better than using unsupported Windows

The support lifecycle is rapidly fading away as Microsoft shifts to its Windows as a service and Office 365 subscription models. If you want to prevent security frustrations, it’s best to upgrade to a newer version of Windows. Should you need help in upgrading, or have further concerns about your current Windows, give us a call.

Windows 7 was one of Microsoft’s popular and best-loved operating systems (OS), and most of us are still using it. But like the OSs before it, Windows 7 will eventually reach the end of its lifecycle. Mainstream end of support for Windows came into effect on January 13, 2015, but extended support won’t end until January 14, 2020. Find out what this means for you.

No more security updates

End of support for Windows means Microsoft stops issuing security updates for that operating system (OS). For example, Windows Vista and Windows XP can no longer receive security updates despite the substantial security holes found in them.

On January 14, 2020, the same will be true for Windows 7. From there, you’ll be on your own. You can still use antivirus tools and other security software for protection, but they won’t be enough to defend against bigger threats. Security software will also gradually drop support for older versions of Windows. Large organizations can sign “custom support” contracts to keep getting security updates while they transition to a new OS. But Microsoft will ratchet up the price going forward to encourage those organizations to move to a new version of Windows.

Software companies will halt support too

When Microsoft ends support for an OS, that’s also the signal for third-party companies to stop supporting that particular version of Windows with their own software and hardware. This doesn’t happen immediately but it does eventually.

For example, Windows XP support ended on April 8, 2014, but Chrome didn’t stop supporting Windows XP until April 2016, two years later. Mozilla Firefox stopped supporting Windows XP in June 2018. Steam will officially drop support for Windows XP and Windows Vista on January 1, 2019. On the other hand, software companies dropped support for Windows Vista more quickly, as it was much less popular than Windows XP.

New hardware may not work

New hardware components and peripherals will stop working on your system too. These need hardware drivers, and manufacturers might not create those hardware drivers for your old, out-of-date OS.

Presently, the latest Intel CPU platforms don’t even support Windows 7 and 8.1. However, the operating systems are technically still in “extended support.” You can keep using your old OS with your current software and hardware, but you have no guarantees of future updates or compatibility.

When will Microsoft end support?

Microsoft has a well-defined support lifecycle for its software products. They come ahead of time so they’re never a surprise. The agreement includes the assurance that Microsoft is committed to providing products with improved security. While they may be unable to provide security updates for older products, they do advise customers to install the latest product releases, security updates, as well as service packs to remain as secure as possible.

Upgrading is better than using unsupported Windows

The support lifecycle is rapidly fading away as Microsoft shifts to its Windows as a service and Office 365 subscription models. If you want to prevent security frustrations, it’s best to upgrade to a newer version of Windows. Should you need help in upgrading, or have further concerns about your current Windows, give us a call.