Windows 7 support will end in January 2020, which means users won’t get any updates or bug fixes anymore. Windows 7 users need to consider switching to Windows 10/11. It’s crucial to take necessary steps to avoid security risks and potential errors after the end of support for Windows 7.
Will the Windows 7 OS Stop Working When Microsoft Ceases Support for It?
The answer is no. It’s just that these computers will no longer receive security updates. Windows 7 computers will continue working, but they’ll be outdated.
Can My Current PC Support a Windows 10/11 Upgrade?
Your current computer can most likely support Windows 10/11 because this new operating system is designed for modern computers. The system requirements of Windows 10/11 are as follows:
- 1 GHz processor
- 1 GB RAM for 32-bit OS or 2 GB RAM for 64-bit OS
- 16 GB hard disk space for 32-bit OS or 20 GB hard disk space for 64-bit OS
- DirectX 9 or later graphics card
- 800 x 600 display
What Happens to My Files If I Upgrade to Windows 10/11?
According to Microsoft, all your files and data will be safe throughout the upgrade process. However, many users have reportedly experienced file loss when upgrading to Windows 10/11. To avoid this from happening to you, make sure you create a backup of your files prior to your planned upgrade.
Expert Tip: For smoother PC performance, consider using a PC optimization tool. It handles junk files, incorrect settings, and harmful apps. Make sure it's right for your system, and always check the EULA and Privacy Policy.
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To back up your data, Microsoft suggests using OneDrive. This cloud storage solution allows you to save copies of your important files and documents online, so you can conveniently sync them with your new setup. It is worth noting, though, that it won’t be free if you have lots of files. A 1TB subscription to OneDrive costs $69.99 per month.
Other cloud services you may consider are Dropbox and Google Drive.
What If I Don’t Upgrade to Windows 10/11?
Nobody is forcing you to upgrade to Windows 10/11. But you have to know that when it comes to updating apps and other features of your current Windows 7, you may not get the support you need. In the event that security flaws and threats arise in the future, you won’t be protected against them.
Can I Install and Activate Windows 7 in the Future?
If you are really serious and firm about your decision on not upgrading your Windows 7 OS, the good news is you can continue deploying and using it. Microsoft has made it clear that anyone can still install and activate Windows 7 on their devices.
Am I the Only Person Left Using Windows 7?
You are not alone. But you might be surprised to find out that Windows 10/11 is hailed the most popular Windows version in the world by the end of the quarter last year. At that time, the new operating system has a 39% market share, getting ahead of Windows 7.
To give you a better idea on what this number means, there are over 1 billion Windows users all across the globe. So, this only means hundreds of millions of users are particularly using Windows 10/11.
How to Prepare for the Windows 7 End of Support?
After the news broke that Microsoft will no longer support Windows 7, many users out there thought about an upgrade. If you are among those users, we can teach you how to prepare for a Windows 10/11 upgrade:
1. Check If Your Computer Is Compatible.
Computer manufacturers actually do a good job of maintaining their systems and making sure they are compatible with various operating system versions. To verify if your computer is compatible with the Windows 10/11 operating system, visit your computer manufacturer’s website.
2. Be Sure Your Computer Has Enough Disk Space.
The Windows 10/11 operating system requires at least 16 GB of free disk space. But just to be safe, make sure you have more.
What you can start doing is to get rid of junk and cache files on your system. As you use your computer on a daily basis and visit one website to another, junk, cache, and temporary files are generated. These files only eat up a huge chunk of your system space. To delete them, use a third-party PC repair tool like Outbyte PC Repair.
3. Make Sure Your Laptop’s Battery Is Fully Charged or Your Computer Is Connected to a UPS.
In a perfect world, a Windows 10/11 installer would be downloaded in less than an hour and install the OS in only a few hours. But let us emphasize that nothing is perfect in this world. While this may happen for some users, for the majority, it won’t be smooth sailing.
Although Microsoft has successfully reduced the size of Windows updates, the latest Windows 10/11 upgrade will still be a large one. Take note that it’s only the upgrade part. That does not include the complex setup process.
As you download and install the Windows 10/11 operating system, it will need to decompress the files and reconfigure the settings to ensure they work with your hardware.
With all things that will be going on, you have to make sure that your laptop’s battery is fully charged or your computer is connected to a power source. Otherwise, you’d end up with a disastrous update.
4. Disable Your Antivirus.
Contrary to what most experts say, antivirus software and apps are among the most common causes of blocked operating system upgrades. After all, they are only doing what they are supposed to do, which is to block any changes to your current system configuration.
An antivirus software entity will often assume that an upgrade is an attack to your system; hence it will block it. To avoid problems in the installation process, disable your antivirus.
Wrapping Up
This guide is not written to scare you and force you to upgrade to Windows 10/11. The point is to inform you what will happen if you don’t upgrade to Windows 10/11 and to give you tips on how to prepare for an upgrade if you ever considered it as an option.
Always remember that with every Windows OS release, there will always be unexpected things that will happen, and it will be part of the experience. So, it pays to be educated.
Have you already upgraded to Windows 10/11? Or will you continue using Windows 7? Let us know below!