Why upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10?

By Chris Sweeney, Consultant – Microsoft Systems Management and End User Computing, Data^#3

Regardless of whether you’re currently running Windows 7 or Windows 8, there are a number of compelling reasons why should you upgrade to the new Windows 10.

In this blog, I’ll focus on current Windows 7 users and then follow up with a second blog for those users currently running Windows 8.

Extended support
One of the main reasons to upgrade to Windows 10 is the fact that Windows 7 has now moved into an extended support period and will be completely phased out by January 2020.

For Enterprise users, this means that there will be no further changes to the design or features of Windows 7. What’s more, updates that don’t specifically relate to security (e.g. hotfixes) are no longer available unless the customer holds an extended hotfix support agreement with Premier Support.

Bottom line: if you continue to operate Windows 7, you’ll eventually get left behind!

Device compatibility
Another key reason to transition from Windows 7 to Windows 10 is the fact that Windows 7 is no longer being supported on an increasing number of devices from mainstream hardware vendors, including HP, Lenovo and Dell.

That’s because these vendors continue to transition their device range from standard laptops to mobile friendly hybrid devices (e.g. tablets, convertible laptops, smartphones etc.), which offer all the benefits of touch capability.

Additionally, the Windows 10 Continuum interface seamlessly scales to the device you’re using, providing a consistent user experience across all your devices – functionality that’s absent from both Windows 7 and Windows 8.

New features
Windows 10 has been designed to ensure the transition from Windows 7 is as seamless as possible for users, with the addition of some exciting new features, including:

• Push Button Reset (where configured)
• In-place upgrade – Windows 10 neatly fits over Windows 7 and Windows 8.1.
• BYOD support – includes different configurations to cater for different device requirements, including Azure Active Directory Domain Join.
• Seamless integration into Microsoft Consumer and Enterprise Cloud Offerings, including Windows Store, Azure Active Directory and other Microsoft Cloud Solutions.
• Efficiency – Windows 10 has a lighter footprint, which helps improve efficiency and extends the operational life of your hardware assets.
• Universal Applications – enables apps to be configured and deployed once only across multiple devices, saving your business valuable time and money.
• Enhanced security – Secure Boot, Multi Factor Authentication, Data Loss Prevention (incl. application containers for copying and pasting) and more control over Windows Updates.
• DirectX 12 – As engineering applications and hardware offer a faster, more dynamic rendering experience, companies writing these applications will eventually make DirectX 12 a standard requirement. Windows 10 may end up featuring “multiadapter”, where a system with multiple GPUs can be used together, regardless of whether the adapters are identical or not. For example, some HP workstations come with “nVidia Optimus”, which allows the use of the discrete graphics when on AC power and Intel Graphics when on battery. Depending on hardware and driver configuration, it may be possible to use both.

A natural transition
Overall, current Windows 7 users should enjoy a seamless transition to Windows 10, with the added benefit of a range of new features to enhance the Windows experience.

We have lots more information about Windows 10, including special offers. Visit data3.com.au/windows10 now.

To learn more about why you should upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10, contact Data^#3 today.