Starting in January of 2020, Microsoft will no longer support Windows 7, and won’t be releasing updates for the operating system. This means that any computer with Windows 7 installed will become less secure over time. Hackers will figure out new ways to get into it, and no security fixes will get applied. While it’s understandable that Microsoft would want to stop working on a 10 year old product, it’s certainly inconvenient for computer users with Windows 7 machines.

Fortunately, most Windows 7 computers can be upgraded to Windows 10, and the learning curve isn’t bad because the interfaces are very similar.

If you’d like advice about whether to upgrade your existing computer or buy a new one, I’ll need some information:

  1. Go to Start > Control Panel > System [before System you may have to click on “System and Security”], then please send the following info:

    1. Processor (“Intel Core i5-6200”)

    2. Installed Memory or RAM (“8GB”)

    3. System Type (“64-bit” or “32-bit”)

  2. Next, go to Start > Computer, then right-click on the C: Drive and select “Properties”

  3. Send the shorter number for the “Capacity” and “Used space” (for example, “500GB” and “237GB”)

  4. Lastly, please indicate any vital software that you use and the version number for it. For example, “Quickbooks 2007” or “Office 2010”

  5. If you need help getting this information, I’d be happy to walk you through it over the phone, and feel free to send photos of these screens in text or email if that’s easier

I’ll assess your current computer and let you know whether I think it makes sense to upgrade or whether you should buy a new computer.

Posted
AuthorMatt Maher