The end is near for Windows 7 as Microsoft prepares to phase out support of the decade-old operating system as of 14th January 2020.
While many businesses have already made the switch to Windows 10, Windows 7 is still very popular, with just under 20% of large organisations reportedly still relying on the system. It’s not just Windows 7 that’s saying goodbye either as Microsoft looks to end Exchange 2010, SharePoint 2010, SQL Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008, a move that should not be ignored.
What does this mean for Windows 7?
When 14th January 2020 rolls around, Windows 7 will enter its ‘end-of-life’ phase, meaning Microsoft will no longer be offering support or updates, including security patches and bug fixes, for the operating system.
Security at risk
With the cessation of security updates for Windows 7, organisations still using the system will be more vulnerable to cyberattacks. With it being known that Windows 7 is discontinuing further security measures, attacks on organisations still relying on the system are inevitable.
Support extension options
It is perfectly fine to install and run Windows 7 after the January deadline, and extended support will be available, but at a cost. This comes in the form of Windows 7 Extended Security Updates which can be purchased on a per computer basis by Windows 7 Pro and Enterprise users.
Prices start at £20 for Enterprise users/£40 for Windows 7 Pro, per computer per year, with a rise in fees with each passing year. For businesses with many devices, this can be a very expensive strategy.
Making the switch
Upgrading systems to Windows 10 is the way to go to help avoid a headache later on. Not only are new computers coming with Windows 10 already installed, with no option to downgrade, but many programmes will cease to be compatible with Windows 7. Even businesses who are determined to keep their systems running with Windows 7 will soon find it difficult to continue, so it is suggested to start the transition to Windows 10 sooner rather than later.
Exchange 2010
Exchange 2010 will also be at its end-of-life as of 14th January 2020 alongside Windows 7, meaning no technical support, bug fixes or security fixes will be offered after this date. Like Windows 7, Exchange 2010 will not cease to operate after this date, however due to potential vulnerabilities, it is recommended to migrate prior to the end-of-life.
For scalability and accessibility, many organisations are opting for a hosted cloud service, even switching to Exchange Online as part of Office 365. This can be done through Cutover, Express or Full Hybrid migration options, dependent on how many mailboxes need to be moved as well as time allowed for the migration.
Migration to on-premises servers is also an option with Exchange Server 2016/2019.
SharePoint 2010
Ending its support later in the year is Microsoft SharePoint 2010. The popular document management and collaboration platform will no longer be supported, meaning no updates or security patches, as of 13th October 2020. Like Windows 7, ignoring this date can be a costly mistake.
Organisations rely on SharePoint to store important information. To avoid any security issues, migration to a supported version such as SharePoint 2016 or SharePoint 2019 is an option. However, migration may need to be done in stages depending on the use case(s), as direct migration paths from SharePoint 2010 straight to SharePoint 2019 are not always feasible.
Office 365 is another migration option that is both accessible and secure. Not only can SharePoint Online be used, but the collaboration functionality spans across many other Office 365 services.
SQL Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 reached end-of-support status on 9th July of this year with Windows Server 2008 following on 14th January 2020, leaving both vulnerable to security issues.
Like Windows 7, there is the option to purchase Extended Security Updates from Microsoft, but this only applies to existing customers of their Software Assurance licensing programme. This can be done once a year until 2023, when all updates will stop.
One option is to migrate now to more recent versions, Windows Server 2016/2019 and SQL Server 2017/19. Another viable option is to move relevant services to a suitable Cloud platform; a secure choice that allows for greater agility and scalability to meet with the changing demands of business today.
Make the switch with TechAlign
Making the shift from any of these legacy software versions to one which is supported by Microsoft can become an arduous task that takes plenty of time, planning and co-ordination. TechAlign can take the pain away from you and your team, with extensive experience planning and delivering projects of this nature. Our vendor-neutral IT services look into your organisation’s needs before offering the best strategy for a stress-free, seamless migration to an up-to-date and secure system.
Contact us today to discuss how the IT experts at TechAlign can work with your organisation in ensuring your critical systems and data remain safe and running smoothly.