{"id":5635,"date":"2020-01-13T07:16:47","date_gmt":"2020-01-13T13:16:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.zoha-islands.com\/?p=5635"},"modified":"2020-01-13T07:16:47","modified_gmt":"2020-01-13T13:16:47","slug":"how-to-prepare-for-windows-7-end-of-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zoha-islands.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-for-windows-7-end-of-life\/","title":{"rendered":"How to prepare for Windows 7 End of Life"},"content":{"rendered":"<header>\n<h2>The end is near for Windows 7 \u2013 here\u2019s what you need to know<\/h2>\n<nav class=\"socialite-widget box less-space \" data-contexturl=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/how-to\/how-to-prepare-for-windows-7-end-of-life\">\n<ul class=\"socialite-widget-ul\">\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item\">\n<div class=\"ipsType_richText ipsType_break ipsContained\">\n<div data-controller=\"core.front.core.lightboxedImages\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/windows\/windows-7-end-of-life-support-information\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Microsoft is discontinuing support for Windows 7 on January 14th<\/a>. This means that it will no longer get updates, including security patches. Therefore, running Windows 7 will become increasingly insecure as new vulnerabilities are discovered and not patched.<\/p>\n<p>Accordingly, Linden Lab is updating our <a href=\"https:\/\/secondlife.com\/support\/system-requirements\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">system requirements<\/a> to remove Windows 7 from the versions we support. This does not mean that Second Life will stop working on Windows 7 immediately; existing viewers, and possibly some new viewers, should run as well as they did before. However, we will not be testing any viewers on Windows 7, so it is likely that compatibility problems will develop and increase over time. In addition, we will not attempt to fix any problems which occur only on unsupported operating systems (if a bug is reported against an unsupported system, we usually try to reproduce it on one that is supported; if we can&#8217;t, we don&#8217;t investigate further or attempt to fix it). In order to keep your Second Life experience as reliable and secure as possible, we <em><strong>strongly<\/strong><\/em> recommend using only supported versions and <a href=\"https:\/\/support.microsoft.com\/en-us\/help\/12435\/windows-10-upgrade-faq\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external nofollow noopener noreferrer\">keeping them updated with the latest vendor patches<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<\/header>\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" block-image-ads hero-image\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tWJLYQKVTHKwdDdbGqzYgS-320-80.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px,(min-width: 900px) 970px,(min-width: 700px) 970px,(min-width: 575px) 650px,(min-width: 360px) 575px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tWJLYQKVTHKwdDdbGqzYgS-320-80.jpg 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tWJLYQKVTHKwdDdbGqzYgS-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tWJLYQKVTHKwdDdbGqzYgS-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tWJLYQKVTHKwdDdbGqzYgS-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tWJLYQKVTHKwdDdbGqzYgS-1024-80.jpg 1024w\" alt=\"Windows 7 End of Life\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tWJLYQKVTHKwdDdbGqzYgS.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tWJLYQKVTHKwdDdbGqzYgS.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"caption-text\">This guide will explain how you can prepare for Windows 7 End of Life.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto\">\n<p>The Windows 7 End of Life is nigh. Come January 14, 2020<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 or sooner for those who <u>don\u2019t download a recent security update<\/u> \u2013 Microsoft will no longer update or provide support for Windows 7. This means that Windows 7 users will need to start thinking about finally moving on from their favorite Windows operating system.<\/p>\n<p>This decision by Microsoft isn\u2019t surprising. The decade-old operating system, which launched in July 22, 2009, may have been incredibly popular \u2013 and it still is with recent reports from Netmarketshare suggesting that Windows 7 is still being used on 39% of all PCs. However, in the shadow of <u>Windows 10<\/u>\u2019s success, it only makes sense for Microsoft dedicate all their time and effort in improving the new OS.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re one of those people, this guide will explain how you can prepare for Windows 7 End of Life. We\u2019ll look at why the end of support for Windows 7 is so important, as well as the options you have, and how you can go about moving to Windows 10, Microsoft\u2019s most recent operating system, as well as alternative software.<\/p>\n<figure data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" lazy-image lazy-image-loading optional-image lazyautosizes lazyloaded\" src=\"https:\/\/vanilla.futurecdn.net\/techradar\/media\/img\/missing-image.svg\" sizes=\"602px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9ujtuSanDqqL8yanJ88PMG-320-80.jpg 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9ujtuSanDqqL8yanJ88PMG-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9ujtuSanDqqL8yanJ88PMG-970-80.jpg 970w\" alt=\"Windows 7 is still in use on 39% of PCs, according to recent figures\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/vanilla.futurecdn.net\/techradar\/media\/img\/missing-image.svg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9ujtuSanDqqL8yanJ88PMG-320-80.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9ujtuSanDqqL8yanJ88PMG-320-80.jpg 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9ujtuSanDqqL8yanJ88PMG-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9ujtuSanDqqL8yanJ88PMG-970-80.jpg 970w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9ujtuSanDqqL8yanJ88PMG.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9ujtuSanDqqL8yanJ88PMG.jpg\" \/><\/p><figcaption><span class=\"caption-text\">Windows 7 is still in use on 39% of PCs, according to recent figures <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"windows-7-end-of-life-when-does-windows-7-support-end\">Windows 7 End of Life: when does Windows 7 support end?<\/h2>\n<aside class=\"hawk-widget\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\"><\/aside>\n<p>Windows 7 End of Life begins on January 14, 2020. Up until that date, Windows 7 is in an \u2018extended support\u2019 phase.<\/p>\n<p>As with all operating systems, after a while it doesn\u2019t make sense, both from a financial point of view and in terms of time and effort, to keep old software patched and updated, especially when there are newer versions of the software out there.<\/p>\n<p>Microsoft actually ended mainstream support for Windows 7 on January 13, 2015, which meant new features stopped being added, and warranty claims were no longer valid.<\/p>\n<p>However, during the extended support phase, which Windows 7 entered after the end of its mainstream support, the operating system has still been patched and updated to make sure security issues and bugs are fixed.<\/p>\n<p>When Windows 7 enters its End of Life phase, this support will end as well.<\/p>\n<p>With the Windows 7 End of Life date now rapidly approaching, Microsoft is keen to make sure people know that support for the operating system is ending, and wants to encourage people to move from the operating system.<\/p>\n<p>So, the company is releasing an update to Windows 7 &#8211; KB4493132 &#8211; which will display notifications reminding Windows 7 users to upgrade to Windows 10 before the End of Life date. This update is optional, but anyone with automatic updates turned on will receive it.<\/p>\n<p>Microsoft also promises that the notification won&#8217;t be too obtrusive, and you can prevent it from appearing again, but it shows how seriously Microsoft is about getting people to stop using Windows 7.<\/p>\n<figure data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" lazy-image lazy-image-loading optional-image lazyautosizes lazyloaded\" src=\"https:\/\/vanilla.futurecdn.net\/techradar\/media\/img\/missing-image.svg\" sizes=\"602px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/0bf7c83f2bc645608eb7d96c7bd0075a-320-80.jpg 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/0bf7c83f2bc645608eb7d96c7bd0075a-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/0bf7c83f2bc645608eb7d96c7bd0075a-970-80.jpg 970w\" alt=\"Windows 7 is currently in its 'extended support' phase\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/vanilla.futurecdn.net\/techradar\/media\/img\/missing-image.svg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/0bf7c83f2bc645608eb7d96c7bd0075a-320-80.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/0bf7c83f2bc645608eb7d96c7bd0075a-320-80.jpg 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/0bf7c83f2bc645608eb7d96c7bd0075a-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/0bf7c83f2bc645608eb7d96c7bd0075a-970-80.jpg 970w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/0bf7c83f2bc645608eb7d96c7bd0075a.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/0bf7c83f2bc645608eb7d96c7bd0075a.jpg\" \/><\/p><figcaption><span class=\"caption-text\">Windows 7 is currently in its &#8216;extended support&#8217; phase <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"windows-7-end-of-life-what-happens-next\">Windows 7 End of Life: what happens next?<\/h2>\n<p>When Windows 7 reaches its End of Life phase on January 14, 2020, Microsoft will stop releasing updates and patches for the operating system. It\u2019s likely that it also won\u2019t offer help and support if you encounter any problems.<\/p>\n<p>However, that doesn\u2019t mean Windows 7 will stop working on January 14 2020 \u2013 you\u2019ll still be able to use Windows 7 for as long as you want. So the good news is that you\u2019re not going to wake up on January 15 to find your Windows 7 PC no longer boots up.<\/p>\n<p>But just because you <em>can<\/em> continue to use Windows 7 in its End of Life status, it doesn\u2019t mean you <em>should<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>The biggest issue with continuing to use Windows 7 is that it won&#8217;t be patched for any new viruses or security problems once it enters End of Life, and this leaves you extremely vulnerable to any emerging threats.<\/p>\n<p>What&#8217;s more, if a large number of people continue to use Windows 7 after the End of Life date, that could actually be a big incentive for malicious users to target viruses and other nasties at Windows 7.<\/p>\n<p>So, while Windows 7 will continue to work after January 14 2020, you should start planning to upgrade to Windows 10, or an alternative operating system, as soon as possible.<\/p>\n<figure data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" lazy-image lazy-image-loading optional-image lazyautosizes lazyloaded\" src=\"https:\/\/vanilla.futurecdn.net\/techradar\/media\/img\/missing-image.svg\" sizes=\"602px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PLXwixxZkq8VcJBWcuvtwf-320-80.jpg 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PLXwixxZkq8VcJBWcuvtwf-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PLXwixxZkq8VcJBWcuvtwf-970-80.jpg 970w\" alt=\"If you continue to use Windows 7 once it enters its End of Life phase you'll be vulnerable to viruses and other security threats\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/vanilla.futurecdn.net\/techradar\/media\/img\/missing-image.svg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PLXwixxZkq8VcJBWcuvtwf-320-80.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PLXwixxZkq8VcJBWcuvtwf-320-80.jpg 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PLXwixxZkq8VcJBWcuvtwf-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PLXwixxZkq8VcJBWcuvtwf-970-80.jpg 970w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PLXwixxZkq8VcJBWcuvtwf.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PLXwixxZkq8VcJBWcuvtwf.jpg\" \/><\/p><figcaption><span class=\"caption-text\">If you continue to use Windows 7 once it enters its End of Life phase you&#8217;ll be vulnerable to viruses and other security threats <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"windows-7-end-of-life-what-should-you-do\">Windows 7 End of Life: what should you do?<\/h2>\n<p>So, if you still use Windows 7, what should you do? There are a number of things we\u2019d recommend you do in preparation for Windows 7 End of Life, and the first is to consider upgrading to a newer operating system.<\/p>\n<p>While you have a number of choices when moving operating systems, for many people, the obvious and simplest option is to upgrade to Windows 10.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"windows-7-end-of-life-upgrading-to-windows-10\">Windows 7 End of Life: upgrading to Windows 10<\/h2>\n<div class=\"slot-single-height-11-610\"><\/div>\n<p>Upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10 has a number of benefits. For a start, because both operating systems are made by Microsoft the upgrade process is relatively easy, and in many cases you can keep your files on your PC.<\/p>\n<p>This means you&#8217;ll experience the minimum of disruption when upgrading to Windows 10. Most programs you use will have been updated to work on Windows 10 as well, and the layout and interface are similar to Windows 7, so you shouldn\u2019t find it too hard to adjust.<\/p>\n<p>If you want to upgrade to Windows 10, then you can buy a copy, download the installation file and run it to start the process.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s nice and easy, and you&#8217;ll be asked if you want to keep your files. However, we\u2019d recommend that you still back up all your files and folders just in case.<\/p>\n<div class=\"interscroller-10-10\">\n<div class=\"interscroller-10-10-inner\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"slot-single-height-10-573\"><\/div>\n<p>While upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10 is the easiest solution, there are reasons why it won\u2019t be right for some people. For a start, you\u2019ll need to buy a Windows 10 license, and these can be quite expensive \u2013 if you were hoping to manage Windows 7\u2019s End of Life without spending any money, this isn\u2019t the way to do it.<\/p>\n<p>Also, while Microsoft has done an admirable job of making Windows 10 able to run on older hardware, it\u2019s still a modern operating system that might struggle to work well on your old Windows 7 machine.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s the minimum specification for Windows 10:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Processor:<\/strong> 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster processor or SoC.<\/li>\n<li><strong>RAM: <\/strong>1 gigabyte (GB) for 32-bit or 2 GB for 64-bit.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Hard disk space: <\/strong>16 GB for 32-bit OS 20 GB for 64-bit OS.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Graphics card:<\/strong> DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Display:<\/strong> 800 x 600 resolution<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If your Windows 7 machine doesn&#8217;t meet these specifications you won\u2019t be able to run Windows 10 \u2013 and even if your machine just meets the requirements, Windows 10 won\u2019t run that well. We\u2019d recommend at least a 2GHz dual-core processor, 4GB of RAM (8GB ideally) and a 160GB hard drive for Windows 10 to run well.<\/p>\n<div class=\"slot-double-height-3-1119\"><\/div>\n<p>If you don\u2019t have the required hardware, but still want to upgrade to Windows 10, then you could upgrade your PC. This is a cost-effective approach, as you may only need to upgrade a few components on your computer to enable it to run Windows 10. Of course, upgrading your PC can be rather fiddly, and there\u2019s only so much you can upgrade before it becomes easier (and more cost-effective) to buy a new PC.<\/p>\n<div class=\"slot-single-height-9-713\"><\/div>\n<p>Buying a new machine is another option, and Windows 7\u2019s End of Life could be a good excuse to spoil yourself with a new and more powerful PC, with Windows 10 installed. You can quite easily move your files and folders to your new machine using an external hard drive.<\/p>\n<p>One last thing \u2013 don&#8217;t be tempted to save a bit of money and upgrade to Windows 8. Although it&#8217;s more recent than Windows 7, it&#8217;s not going to be too long before that version too enters its End of Life stage, so you&#8217;re better off saving further hassle down the line by getting the newer (and let&#8217;s be fair, better) Windows 10.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"windows-7-end-of-life-moving-to-linux\">Windows 7 End of Life: moving to Linux<\/h2>\n<div class=\"slot-single-height-8-640\"><\/div>\n<p>The most cost-effective way of preparing for Windows 7 End of Life is to switch operating systems altogether, and install Linux on your machine.<\/p>\n<p>Linux is an open-source operating system that\u2019s completely free to use. It\u2019s also regularly updated by a community of enthusiastic developers, so you can use it safe in the knowledge that it has new security patches applied to protect you from the latest threats.<\/p>\n<p>There are a huge number of versions of Linux available, which are known as distributions or distros. While this wide range of distros can be overwhelming at first, it also means it\u2019s easy to find a distro that\u2019s right for your needs.<\/p>\n<div class=\"slot-single-height-4-339\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"slot-double-height-image-0\">\n<div class=\"qulpkmuuflfdkihb\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" lazy-image lazy-image-loading optional-image lazyautosizes lazyloaded\" src=\"https:\/\/vanilla.futurecdn.net\/techradar\/media\/img\/missing-image.svg\" sizes=\"602px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aATkHFHEVMw3WdXE4TFZxg-320-80.jpg 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aATkHFHEVMw3WdXE4TFZxg-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aATkHFHEVMw3WdXE4TFZxg-970-80.jpg 970w\" alt=\"Linux is free to use, and the OS is regularly updated by a community of developers\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/vanilla.futurecdn.net\/techradar\/media\/img\/missing-image.svg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aATkHFHEVMw3WdXE4TFZxg-320-80.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aATkHFHEVMw3WdXE4TFZxg-320-80.jpg 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aATkHFHEVMw3WdXE4TFZxg-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aATkHFHEVMw3WdXE4TFZxg-970-80.jpg 970w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aATkHFHEVMw3WdXE4TFZxg.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aATkHFHEVMw3WdXE4TFZxg.jpg\" \/><\/p><figcaption><span class=\"caption-text\">Linux is free to use, and the OS is regularly updated by a community of developers <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>To help you get started, check out this guide to the <a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/best\/best-linux-distros\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-original-url=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/uk\/news\/best-linux-distro\">best Linux distros<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>One of the most popular distros is Ubuntu, and it\u2019s ideal for people who are moving from Windows to Linux, as it&#8217;s easy to use and is supported by a lot of apps.<\/p>\n<p>Another excellent option we\u2019d recommend is Linux Mint. This uses a similar user interface to Windows 7, so you won\u2019t find the transition too difficult, and most of the tools you need are included when you install it.<\/p>\n<p>Another good thing about switching to Linux is that there are a number of distros that are specifically designed to run on older hardware. These distros can give your hardware a new lease of life, allowing it to run better than ever. Check out this pick of the <a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/news\/best-lightweight-linux-distro\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><u>best lightweight Linux distros<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"slot-single-height-3-339\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"slot-double-height-image-1\">\n<div class=\"qulpkmuuflfdkihb\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" lazy-image lazy-image-loading optional-image lazyautosizes lazyloaded\" src=\"https:\/\/vanilla.futurecdn.net\/techradar\/media\/img\/missing-image.svg\" sizes=\"602px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7fK5Jxie8vmi769ynfMVMe-320-80.jpg 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7fK5Jxie8vmi769ynfMVMe-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7fK5Jxie8vmi769ynfMVMe-970-80.jpg 970w\" alt=\"Ubuntu is an ideal distro if you're moving from Windows to Linux\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/vanilla.futurecdn.net\/techradar\/media\/img\/missing-image.svg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7fK5Jxie8vmi769ynfMVMe-320-80.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7fK5Jxie8vmi769ynfMVMe-320-80.jpg 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7fK5Jxie8vmi769ynfMVMe-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7fK5Jxie8vmi769ynfMVMe-970-80.jpg 970w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7fK5Jxie8vmi769ynfMVMe.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7fK5Jxie8vmi769ynfMVMe.jpg\" \/><\/p><figcaption><span class=\"caption-text\">Ubuntu is an ideal distro if you&#8217;re moving from Windows to Linux <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Some Linux distros can also be run off a CD or DVD \u2013 known as a live CD \u2013 which means they don\u2019t need to be installed. This is also a good way of trying out a Linux distro before you commit to it.<\/p>\n<p>There are downsides, though. First of all, as Linux is a completely different operating system to Windows 7, it means that some of your favorite apps, such as Microsoft Word, won\u2019t be available.<\/p>\n<p>The good news is that thanks to Linux\u2019s popularity, many popular free programs are available for the operating system. And if a particular program isn&#8217;t available, there&#8217;s also usually a free and open source alternative that does the job just as well, if not better \u2013 for example <a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/reviews\/libreoffice\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">LibreOffice<\/a> is a popular open source alternative to Microsoft Office.<\/p>\n<div class=\"slot-single-height-2-339\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"slot-double-height-image-2\"><\/div>\n<figure data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" lazy-image lazy-image-loading optional-image lazyautosizes lazyloaded\" src=\"https:\/\/vanilla.futurecdn.net\/techradar\/media\/img\/missing-image.svg\" sizes=\"602px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NiVXY3n3HjDzaiTtnCFgJU-320-80.jpg 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NiVXY3n3HjDzaiTtnCFgJU-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NiVXY3n3HjDzaiTtnCFgJU-970-80.jpg 970w\" alt=\"Elementary OS is one of the more stylish-looking Linux distros\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/vanilla.futurecdn.net\/techradar\/media\/img\/missing-image.svg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NiVXY3n3HjDzaiTtnCFgJU-320-80.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NiVXY3n3HjDzaiTtnCFgJU-320-80.jpg 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NiVXY3n3HjDzaiTtnCFgJU-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NiVXY3n3HjDzaiTtnCFgJU-970-80.jpg 970w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NiVXY3n3HjDzaiTtnCFgJU.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NiVXY3n3HjDzaiTtnCFgJU.jpg\" \/><\/p><figcaption><span class=\"caption-text\">Elementary OS is one of the more stylish-looking Linux distros <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>If there\u2019s a Windows-only program that you can\u2019t live without, and there\u2019s no viable alternative, you can consider using <a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/www.winehq.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">WINE<\/a>, a tool that allows most Windows programs to run in Linux.<\/p>\n<p>No matter which distro you go for, there\u2019s no denying that Linux is quite different to Windows in a number of ways, and that can create a bit of a culture shock. If you do go from Windows 7 to Linux you\u2019ll need to spend some time learning how to use the new operating system \u2013 and that\u2019s why it\u2019s best to start looking now, rather than waiting until Windows 7\u2019s End of Life deadline.<\/p>\n<p>Also, while there are many professional-looking distros (check out <a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/elementary.io\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Elementary OS<\/a> for an example of how classy Linux can look), there are also some that aren\u2019t quite as polished as Windows.<\/p>\n<div class=\"slot-single-height-1-339\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"slot-double-height-image-3\">\n<div class=\"qulpkmuuflfdkihb\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" lazy-image lazy-image-loading optional-image lazyautosizes lazyloaded\" src=\"https:\/\/vanilla.futurecdn.net\/techradar\/media\/img\/missing-image.svg\" sizes=\"602px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wDxiz7YwbLfvzezvWm2ZAU-320-80.jpg 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wDxiz7YwbLfvzezvWm2ZAU-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wDxiz7YwbLfvzezvWm2ZAU-970-80.jpg 970w\" alt=\"Apple's Mac computers have an excellent reputation, but they're relatively expensive\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/vanilla.futurecdn.net\/techradar\/media\/img\/missing-image.svg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wDxiz7YwbLfvzezvWm2ZAU-320-80.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wDxiz7YwbLfvzezvWm2ZAU-320-80.jpg 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wDxiz7YwbLfvzezvWm2ZAU-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wDxiz7YwbLfvzezvWm2ZAU-970-80.jpg 970w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wDxiz7YwbLfvzezvWm2ZAU.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wDxiz7YwbLfvzezvWm2ZAU.jpg\" \/><\/p><figcaption><span class=\"caption-text\">Apple&#8217;s Mac computers have an excellent reputation, but they&#8217;re relatively expensive <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"windows-7-end-of-life-switch-to-mac\">Windows 7 End of Life: switch to Mac<\/h2>\n<p>Finally, you could use Windows 7\u2019s End of Life as a reason to dip your toe into Apple&#8217;s ecosystem. Apple has a well-deserved reputation for building gorgeously-designed hardware that uses its macOS operating system, which is both easy to use and secure against internet threats.<\/p>\n<p>Most programs that you can use in Windows are also available for Mac, although you may need to buy them again. There are also plenty of alternative programs, and you can use an emulator as well.<\/p>\n<p>Check out the <a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/news\/computing\/apple\/mac-buyer-s-guide-2015-1295725\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">best Macs and MacBooks<\/a> if you\u2019re thinking of making the switch.<\/p>\n<p>The downside of moving to Apple is that it&#8217;s the most expensive option. Apple\u2019s products are notoriously expensive, so expect to pay a lot if you make the switch. However, Mac computers tend to age better than Windows PCs, so while you may spend a lot now, your new Mac should last you a long time.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"windows-7-end-of-life-back-up-your-documents\">Windows 7 End of Life: back up your documents<\/h2>\n<div class=\"slot-single-height-7-526\"><\/div>\n<p>No matter which route you take, you should make sure that your documents are safely backed up. If you\u2019re upgrading to Windows 10 from Windows 7 on the same machine the transfer of your files is part of the process, but it\u2019s best to back up just in case something goes wrong.<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re moving to Linux or a Mac device, or to a new Windows 10 machine, you\u2019re going to be either formatting your hard drive or moving to new hardware, so you\u2019ll want to back up your data so that you can transfer it your new device\/operating system.<\/p>\n<div class=\"slot-single-height-0-339\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"slot-double-height-image-4\">\n<div class=\"qulpkmuuflfdkihb\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" lazy-image lazy-image-loading optional-image lazyautosizes lazyloaded\" src=\"https:\/\/vanilla.futurecdn.net\/techradar\/media\/img\/missing-image.svg\" sizes=\"602px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Agoq8s9zgCkhivTzSCtcy9-320-80.jpg 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Agoq8s9zgCkhivTzSCtcy9-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Agoq8s9zgCkhivTzSCtcy9-970-80.jpg 970w\" alt=\"And external hard drive enables you to move your files between machines\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/vanilla.futurecdn.net\/techradar\/media\/img\/missing-image.svg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Agoq8s9zgCkhivTzSCtcy9-320-80.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Agoq8s9zgCkhivTzSCtcy9-320-80.jpg 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Agoq8s9zgCkhivTzSCtcy9-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Agoq8s9zgCkhivTzSCtcy9-970-80.jpg 970w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Agoq8s9zgCkhivTzSCtcy9.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Agoq8s9zgCkhivTzSCtcy9.jpg\" \/><\/p><figcaption><span class=\"caption-text\">And external hard drive enables you to move your files between machines <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>There are a number of ways to do this. You could copy your files to an external hard drive \u2013 or you could use a cloud storage service, which uploads your data to the internet, then allows you to download and synchronize the files on your new device.<\/p>\n<p><u>Dropbox<\/u> is a good choice for this, as it works with Windows, Linux and macOS, making it easy to move your files from one machine or operating system to another.<\/p>\n<figure data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" lazy-image lazy-image-loading optional-image lazyautosizes lazyloaded\" src=\"https:\/\/vanilla.futurecdn.net\/techradar\/media\/img\/missing-image.svg\" sizes=\"602px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yYsL58GkgLcfXWCr5twJ4m-320-80.jpg 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yYsL58GkgLcfXWCr5twJ4m-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yYsL58GkgLcfXWCr5twJ4m-970-80.jpg 970w\" alt=\"You can also transfer files between computers using a cloud service such as Dropbox\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/vanilla.futurecdn.net\/techradar\/media\/img\/missing-image.svg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yYsL58GkgLcfXWCr5twJ4m-320-80.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yYsL58GkgLcfXWCr5twJ4m-320-80.jpg 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yYsL58GkgLcfXWCr5twJ4m-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yYsL58GkgLcfXWCr5twJ4m-970-80.jpg 970w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yYsL58GkgLcfXWCr5twJ4m.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yYsL58GkgLcfXWCr5twJ4m.jpg\" \/><\/p><figcaption><span class=\"caption-text\">You can also transfer files between computers using a cloud service such as Dropbox <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>If you\u2019re going to live life on the edge, and continue to use Windows 7 once it enters its End of Life phase, then we\u2019d still recommend backing up your documents regularly. You\u2019ll be more at risk from viruses, and if there\u2019s an issue that prevents your Windows 7 machine from booting, Microsoft might not help, so having regular backups of your important files will potentially save a lot of time and stress later.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"xa0-windows-7-end-of-life-sticking-with-windows-7\">\u00a0Windows 7 End of Life: sticking with Windows 7<\/h2>\n<p>If you run a business that still uses Windows 7, then you have a dilemma. Upgrading all your PCs to Windows 10, and retraining staff, might prove tricky before Windows 7&#8217;s End of Life on January 14 2020.<\/p>\n<div class=\"slot-double-height-2-1473\">\n<div class=\"qulpkmuuflfdkihb\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>However, you don&#8217;t want to risk running an operating system that doesn&#8217;t get security patches. The good news is that Microsoft will be offering Windows 7 Extended Security Updates, which will continue to deliver updates and patches for Windows 7 business users after January 2020.<\/p>\n<div class=\"slot-double-height-1-1193\"><\/div>\n<p>However, these extended security updates will cost money on a per device basis, and it&#8217;s now been revealed just how much these Windows 7 extended security updates will cost.<\/p>\n<div class=\"slot-double-height-0-1020\"><\/div>\n<p>For support for Windows Enterprise users using Windows 7 for the first year after the End of Life date (January 2020 \u2013 January 2021), the cost is $25 (around \u00a320, AU$35).<\/p>\n<div class=\"slot-single-height-6-850\"><\/div>\n<p>This rises to $50 per device (around \u00a340, AU$70) for year two (January 2021 \u2013 January 2022), and $100 (around \u00a380, AU$140) for year three (January 2022 to January 2023). It appears that at the moment that Microsoft is hoping by 2023, Windows 7 use will be small enough to stop offering the extended security updates.<\/p>\n<div class=\"slot-single-height-5-534\"><\/div>\n<p>As this is a per device cost, businesses with numerous PCs running Windows 7 will soon find this very expensive.<\/p>\n<p>If they are using Windows 7 Pro, then those prices are even higher, with $50 (around \u00a340, AU$70) for year one support, $100 (around \u00a380, AU$140) for year two and $200 (around \u00a3150, AU$280) for year three.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re a non-business user who wants to keep using Windows 7, then you could theoretically sign up as an Enterprise user, as there\u2019s no minimum purchase necessary for the Windows 7 ESU, but we wouldn\u2019t recommend it.<\/p>\n<p>Have a great week from all of us at Zoha Islands and Fruit Islands<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The end is near for Windows 7 \u2013 here\u2019s what you need to know Microsoft is discontinuing support for Windows 7 on January 14th. This means that it will no longer get updates, including security patches. Therefore, running Windows 7 will become increasingly insecure as new vulnerabilities are discovered and not patched. Accordingly, Linden Lab &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/zoha-islands.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-for-windows-7-end-of-life\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5647,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2,3,4,5],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zoha-islands.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5635"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zoha-islands.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zoha-islands.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zoha-islands.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zoha-islands.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5635"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/zoha-islands.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5635\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zoha-islands.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5647"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zoha-islands.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5635"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zoha-islands.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5635"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zoha-islands.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5635"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}