Windows 7 was released on October 22, 2009 to the public that had new refinements and features for all users. Many people remember that Windows 7 was a more stable operating system than Windows Vista. Windows Vista had high system requirements, which led to older devices being incompatible. Windows Vista also faced challenges with software and hardware compatibility for many devices. However, Windows 7 ended product support on January 14, 2020. This means that Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or patch fixes for the Windows 7 operating system. Users who run Windows 7 will receive a notification to upgrade their operating system to a newer version of Windows.
As of December 2019, the Net Market Share reported that Windows 7 makes up 32 percent of the market share whereas Windows 10 is at 47 percent. The question is should you stay on Windows 7 or upgrade to Windows 10? Below are some recommended suggestions as moving on can be challenging, especially if you are not tech-savvy.
Windows 7
If you plan on sticking to Windows 7, you will have limited third-party application support for the operating system and security vulnerabilities. According to Google, Google Chrome will be supported until July 15, 2021. You can prevent some security vulnerabilities by accessing websites that you know are safe. It is important for you to not go onto a website that you are not familiar with and be sure to back up important files, such as photos, videos, and music. However, if you plan to use Windows 7 offline for old software (Microsoft Office 2010 or PC games), it is safe to do so as there will be no communication to the Internet.
Windows 10
Microsoft is recommending that users upgrade to the latest operating system as it has great new features compared to the previous versions of Windows. Microsoft offered Windows 10 as a free upgrade for existing Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 users when the operating system was released for a limited time until 2016. Windows 10 is supposedly the last operating system as Microsoft wants Windows 10 to be a service. Microsoft gives the preference for users to upgrade an existing PC by purchasing a license from Microsoft’s website or buying a new device. Most likely, if you have a device with the Windows XP operating system, the hardware is outdated and not capable of running Windows 10.
How do you upgrade your current device from Windows 7 to Windows 10? You must have access to Microsoft’s website to either use the Windows 10 download installation media (digital) or use the traditional method of downloading and burning the software onto a disc to install from a DVD drive. The USB method can be used to create an installation media, as well. Make sure that all your important information is backed up, such as documents, photos, music, videos.
Installation
To install, download Windows 10 from Microsoft’s website or burn to a disc or use a USB installation. The current version of Windows 7 in this upgrade is Home Premium. This version will upgrade to Windows 10 Home.
Open the Windows 10 download tool or use the traditional media and follow the installation steps. Before the installation, you must have purchased a genuine copy of the Windows 10 product key. Luckily enough, the Windows 7 product key that was not used for years worked and upgraded to Windows 10 for free even though the free offer ended in 2016. Once upgraded, you have 10 days to revert to Windows 7. From using the Windows 10 download tool, the installation showed Getting Things Ready and the Terms of Agreement that you must accept. The next step is to click Upgrade This PC. Windows 10 will download and prepare for the upgrade installation. When completed, Windows 10 will have you accept the terms again and shows what version of Windows that you will be upgraded to.
After a few reboots, the system will successfully upgrade from Windows 7 to 10 without any activation problems or system errors. The system is ready to use. Enjoy and explore the new features that Windows 10 has to offer. The most impressive thing about this is that the upgrade worked with the current Windows 7 product code without purchasing a new one. Feel free to give it a try, and make sure you have your data backed up. If you are uncomfortable with upgrading your operating system, feel free to get advice from local technicians in the Saint John area. Check out the FAQ for Windows 7 support on Microsoft’s website: https://support.microsoft.com/en-ca/help/4527875/faq-about-the-end-of-support-for-windows-7
