Microsoft Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 reached end of life on January 14, 2020. This means that Microsoft will no longer be releasing free security patches, updates, or support when something goes wrong. Although these operating systems won’t instantly stop working or become security risks overnight, there are risks with staying on these operating systems for an extended period of time.
What happens if I stay on these operating systems?
- There is a huge risk of being exploited by cyber criminals as new vulnerabilities are disclosed.
- Antivirus won’t help either; computers will be susceptible to new phishing and ransomware attempts.
- Applications may be slow, as they will not be on the latest version
What are my options?
1 – Pay for Windows 7 Extended Security Updates
Microsoft is offering Extended Security Updates for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008, for up to three years. These are security updates only, and will not provide technical support. These can be very expensive, with the price doubling each year.
2 – Migrate to a newer operating system
Migrating to Windows 10 is the best option for Windows 7 users. In many cases, companies can do in-place upgrades on their existing hardware (Windows 10 system requirements).
There is no direct upgrade path from Windows Server 2008 to the newer Windows Server 2016 and 2019 operating systems. You will need to upgrade to Windows 2012 first. You also need to consider that some hardware or hypervisor versions might not be compatible with the newer operating systems (Windows Server 2016 system requirements).
Companies should assess their hardware and virtual infrastructure to determine what needs to be replaced or upgraded.
If you are feeling overwhelmed with the prospect of migrating hundreds or thousands of devices to a newer operating system, Gotham is here to help. Please contact your Gotham Account Manager for more information.