How To Get Ready For Windows 7 End Of Life

All good things must come to an end

Microsoft recently officially announcedWindows 7 end of life, effective January 14, 2020. This means they will no longer offer Windows 7 support. Continuing to use Windows 7 moving forward will put your computer at risk for vulnerabilities and security threats.

This article will address some of your alternative options at Windows 7 end of life.

Upgrade To Windows 10

Although there are still many people using Windows 7, eventually they will have to move to a more secure operating system (OS).

The upgrade process is relatively easy because Microsoft made both versions. Many programs and apps created for earlier versions of Windows will still work andwill update automatically.

However, some older applications mayneed to be updatedor may not work at all.

Windows recommends upgrading to Windows 10 as you would expect. However, the free upgrade ended on July 26, 2019. Now users must either purchase a full version of the software or buy a new device pre-installed with Windows 10.

Your computer must meet the following requirements to be able to run Windows 10:

How To Upgrade to Windows 10

First, you need to purchase a Windows 10 license either through Microsoft or an authorized retailer.

If you purchase through Microsoft, you can either use the USB option or download the OS using an ISO file.

The USB option is a good choice if your Internet connection isn’t stable enough to handle a 4GB download. Microsoft will mail a USB stick containing Windows 10 to your home.

Upgrade To Windows 10 Using The Media Creation Tool

Use this process if you did not order a USB stick. After you have purchased your license of Windows 10, follow the steps below to install and activate it.

Download the ISO file for your architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) and language. Extract the ISO file to your local file system, removable drive, or burn it to a DVD.

To extract the ISO installation files to a removable USB storage device, you can use an unzip app such as7zip. Extract the file contents to a folder on your local drive in your existing Windows OS.

Note that if you want to get an option to keep all your files and apps, it’s best to initiate the process from Windows 7.

If you do a clean install of Windows 10 from a USB drive or DVD, you will not see this option, and your files and apps will be lost.

Start the upgrade by runningsetup.exe.

Windows will walk you through the installation process. The first recommendation is to download drivers, updates, and other optional features. You should accept these options to help ensure a successful upgrade.

It will take several minutes for your installation to complete. You can find your apps and folders in the same locations on Windows 10 as they were on Windows 7.

Switch To Linux

Although Microsoft would disagree, upgrading to Windows 10 is not your only option.Changing to a Linux operating systemis a viable alternative.

Many Linux users consider it to be one of the best alternatives to Windows 7. Some of the reasons you might want to make the switch include:

How To Replace Windows 7 With Linux

Before you do anything, back up all your data. Next, choose which Linux distribution you want to use. Some of the mostpopular Linux distributionsfor 2020 include:

Many distributions will enable users to use aLiveoption booted from a USB to see how it works. If you like it, you can theninstall it on your system or in a VirtualBox. We will use Ubuntu for this article.

To try Ubuntu before installing it on your system, start by going to theUbuntu download pageand clicking onTry Ubuntu.

If you like how Ubuntu works and are ready to install it, click onInstall Ubuntuand follow the installation wizard. The process is straightforward.

Choose to replace Windows 7 with Linux, but remember that all your apps and files will be erased. As mentioned above, before doing anything, back up your system first.

Leave Windows Behind & Switch To Mac

Windows 7 end of life could be a good reason for you to switch from Windows to Mac. Apple has enjoyed an excellent reputation for many reasons, including:

Whether you choose to move to Mac is a matter of personal preference. While it is true that Apple products tend to be more expensive than Microsoft products, they also age better. So, even if you spend more money upfront, a new Mac will last you longer than a new Windows machine.

Whichever option you choose to move ahead from Windows 7 end of life, safely backup all your documents, files, and images. If you decide to stay with Windows 7, it’s essential to recognize that you are putting your computer at risk for security threats.

Help our HDG readers out. Can you suggest any other important Windows 7 End of Life tips?

David has a background in small business and lives in Australia. He is a WordPress and Ubuntu Developer who enjoys design, CSS and tech tool integration.Read David’s Full Bio

Welcome to Help Desk Geek- a blog full of tech tips from trusted tech experts. We have thousands of articles and guides to help you troubleshoot any issue. Our articles have been read over 150 million times since we launched in 2008.

HomeAbout UsEditorial StandardsContact UsTerms of Use

Copyright © 2008-2024 Help Desk Geek.com, LLC All Rights Reserved