Say goodbye to Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008
All good things come to an end – including great operating systems.
Believe it or not, Windows 7 was released commercially in 2009 just three years after its easily forgettable predecessor, Windows Vista. Windows Server 2008 launched a year earlier, February 2008. Operating systems, of course, have a shelf-life, a point at they became unsustainable and at this stage the developer must plan for the end-of-support, which is usually accompanied by some wailing, confusion and a lot of panic!
Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 came with a fixed support timeline, allowing many businesses to plan for the eventuality of upgrading. However, a lot of companies have been caught unaware and have not really thought about what Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 end-of-life means to their business efficiency and productivity in real terms.
Would you use a product whose creator is no longer accountable for it? There is a real risk to doing so, as this means that bugs and anomalies, or, and this is critical, compromised or lost data due to security breaches, is your responsibility alone, with no access to help or support. Cybersecurity has become the number #1 priority for business – big or small – as malware and ransom-ware evolve at pace with technology.
It’s vital to understand that any business continuing to use Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 could be more exposed and vulnerable. Without regular patches and security updates, you’re basically at the mercy of the unethical and most businesses wouldn’t wish to take the risk of losing significant data and dealing with the aftermath of a cyber breach.
What does this mean for you? Simply that you should be looking to upgrade to Windows 10 for PC / laptop / tablet and Windows Server 2019 and consider any relevant cloud migration options with Azure services. We can’t state clearly enough that there are serious security concerns if you continue to use Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 past the end of life date of the 14th January 2020.
Microsoft offers this advice:
“You can continue to use Windows 7, but once support ends, your PC will become more vulnerable to security risks. Windows will operate, but you will stop receiving security and feature updates.” (See what Microsoft advise here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsforbusiness/end-of-windows-7-support)
And..
“Support for Windows Server 2008 and Server 2008 R2 will end, don’t go unprotected. New options are now available to help you upgrade and adopt the innovative technologies you need to carry your organization into the future.” https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/cloud-platform/windows-server-2008
Microsoft will not fix and release any security patches needed for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 systems after 14th January 2020. If your business is still using Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008, it would be wise to begin planning for its end of life date.
Need advice on transitioning to a future proof operating system? Give us a call, we are happy to help! Contact KTD on 01539 732540 or visit www.ktdonline.com
You can find information on using obsolete platforms at the National Cyber Security Centre https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/blog-post/one-year-left-windows-7-support who advise that risk managing obsolete platforms comes at a cost and should only be used as a last resort.
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