by Dave Moore, 12-15-19
If your computer uses Microsoft’s Windows 7 operating system, and you are not prepared, you may be in for a shock, next month.
My first official notice was four months ago in August, and this will be my final notice on the subject. Next month, on January 14, 2020, Microsoft will end support for its still widely-used and wildly popular Windows 7 operating system.
Quoting from the Microsoft website, “Microsoft made a commitment to provide 10 years of product support for Windows 7 when it was released on October 22, 2009. When this 10-year period ends, Microsoft will discontinue Windows 7 support so that we can focus our investment on supporting newer technologies and great new experiences. The specific end of support day for Windows 7 will be January 14, 2020. After that, technical assistance and software updates from Windows Update that help protect your PC will no longer be available for the product. Microsoft strongly recommends that you move to Windows 10 sometime before January 2020 to avoid a situation where you need service or support that is no longer available.”
To boil it down, that means if you have a Windows 7 computer, there will be no more updates, no more patches, no more security fixes, no more help; you will be on your own. A criminal hacker’s field day will begin, just like what happened when Microsoft ditched support for Windows XP in 2014 and Windows Vista in 2017. New security problems will be found, but no more fixes will be possible. As of January 14, 2020, it will no longer be safe to put a Windows 7 computer on the Internet.
Many Windows 7 computers can be upgraded to Windows 10, allowing their owners to easily transition to the new standard. Sadly, many computers cannot be upgraded. That means millions of people around the world will need to buy a new computer. Experts say somewhere around 540 million computers worldwide will need to be upgraded or replaced.
If you are using a Windows 7 computer, I urge you to make the change sooner, rather than later. I have a feeling that next January I am going to be very busy, because the story will be all over the news, and millions of people will all realize on the same day, “Oh, no, I need a new computer!” Off the the store they will go, all at the same time.
I remember when the Windows XP switch happened. I walked into BestBuy on “transition day,” and the computer shelves were bare. They had sold out. A sales guy forlornly shrugged his shoulders and said,” We get a truck in on Thursday. Maybe we’ll get more computers, then.”
My advice is to avoid the rush and prepare now.
Fortunately, the holiday season can be a good time to buy a new computer. Even so, be prepared to spend around $700 or more on a good desktop or laptop computer. “Great” computers start at around $1,000. If you need a new monitor, add another $150, or so. While you can find el-cheapo computers in the $3-500 range, I cannot recommend you get one. I’ve taken too many “bargain” computers apart to think they are anything other than cheap, shoddy junk. Spend a little extra on something well-built and you will be happier in the long run.
Computer shopping can be confusing for many people, as they don’t know what to get. For a Windows-type PC, I recommend at least an Intel i5, i7 or high-end AMD quad-core processor; at least 8 gigabytes of RAM (memory) and a 500 (or larger) gigabyte hard drive. 16 gigabytes of RAM is not too much. If you need wireless capability, make sure it is built in.
Everything else, like hot-shot graphics cards and fancy screen options are things to be tailored to your individual situation. I buy computers for people all the time, as I have lots of practice negotiating the maze of computer options. If you don’t know what to get, ask someone who does to help you. To find out if your computer uses Windows 7, go to Control Panel and double-click the “System” icon; it will tell you.
No doubt, next January the “death of Windows 7” will be widely reported. This is your advance notice; don’t wait until then to get your act together. Prepare now and have peace of mind, later.
Dave Moore has been fixing computers in Oklahoma since 1984. Founder of the non-profit Internet Safety Group Ltd, he also teaches Internet safety community training workshops. He can be reached at 405-919-9901 or www.internetsafetygroup.com