If your business is still using Windows 7, it’s time to upgrade your operating system. There are just a few weeks left until the final Windows 7 end of support date on January 14, 2020. Greater Boston small business support will no longer be available in the form of free security updates and bug fixes for this once popular operating system. While the updates will be available to those who wish to pay for it through Windows 7 Extended Security Update for an additional three years, if you run a small business, you are probably better off without it. If you aren’t sure how to make the change, our Greater Boston IT solutions can help. Synivate can provide you with the IT support and services you need to upgrade your system to the more secure Windows 10 and find innovative options that will help you to boost security and improve productivity in Boston.
Small Businesses Not Encouraged
Those who operate small businesses are reporting that they are getting the run-around from Microsoft with regard to getting the ESU software. It seems as though Microsoft doesn’t really want to provide you with support for Windows 7 anyway. The initial announcement about the ESU program stated that the updates would be made available to Microsoft’s “most valuable customers,” which typically means extremely large corporations and government agencies. Some medium-sized businesses and educational institutions that have Windows 10 Enterprise or Education subscriptions also fall under this “most valuable customers” category.
However, in October, Microsoft announced that it would extend the ESU program to businesses of all sizes, but very small businesses are having difficulties finding ESUs that suit their needs. Customers are being referred to large consultant organizations that deal primarily with large and expensive accounts. They really don’t have time to work with very small enterprises and, even if they did have time, their services are much more expensive than the average small business owner could afford. Depending on the size of your network, you are better off working with Synivate and our team of IT technicians to find a custom solution that will best suit your needs.
Security Concerns Must Be Addressed
Even if you really love Windows 7 and can’t imagine making the switch to Windows 10, the safety and security of your business demand that you make the upgrade. Even if the Windows 7 end of support date wasn’t looming in just a few weeks, there are so many security concerns regarding the ten-year-old operating system that must be addressed. Windows 10 has so many security features that you can use to enhance your Boston small business support. Once the support has ended with Microsoft, you will be even more at risk for viruses and malware that could negatively impact your business.
There are many security upgrades in Windows 10 that will help your business to be more secure, and that might even improve productivity in Boston. The built-in Windows Defender Antivirus program works to thwart malware and spyware across all apps, emails, the cloud, and the web. You can use a password-free sign-in option to restrict access with fingerprint readers or face ID programs. Automatic updates are designed to help keep your operating system more secure. Synivate can also help provide you with even more Greater Boston IT solutions that will provide you with even more layers of protection.
Enhanced Features on Windows 10
Perhaps one of the most significant reasons to upgrade your operating system from Windows 7 to Windows 10 is the user experience features of this latest version. You can use the “Your Phone App” to access all of your texts, notifications, and apps on your phone with your PC, which can be helpful for sharing information at remote meetings or during travel for business. Other features include the “Calls App,” which lets you place and answer Android calls on your PC. The digital assistant Cortana is also available on Windows 10, and smooth integration with Microsoft OneDrive and other cloud tools can really benefit Boston small business support.
Ready to take the plunge and get ahead of the Windows 7 end of support that is coming in January? Synivate can help you to improve productivity in Boston while boosting security, communications tools, and other essential IT solutions for your small to medium-sized business. You can take out FREE 10-minute IT Assessment online to get started. Our team will follow up with you after you take the evaluation so we can schedule a more comprehensive assessment of your needs. Give us a call at 617-517-0704 to speak with one of our technicians or consultants about your needs.