It’s time to break up with Windows 7 and other Microsoft business products facing end-of-life support (most of them in early 2020). By upgrading before support for these business products expires, you will not only preserve the security, compatibility and compliance needed to run your business, you’ll be saving money too.
While extended support with security updates will still be available through 2023, it won’t be cheap. That fact alone should be the incentive needed to go ahead with an upgrade to Windows 10.
For organizations that need more time to upgrade, the paid Windows 7 Extended Security Updates (ESUs) will be sold on a per-device basis, with the price increasing each year.
Windows 7 Extended Support:
- First year: $25/device
- Second year: $50/device
- Third year: $100/device
- Extended support for Windows 7 Pro will be $50, $100 & $200 (per device)
What do Extended Security Updates include?
According to Microsoft, Extended Security Updates (ESU) include security updates for critical and important issues as defined by the Microsoft Security Response Center for a maximum of three years after January 14, 2020.
What is the deadline to purchase Extended Security Updates for Windows 7?
While end of support for Windows 7 is January 14, 2020, organizations can purchase the ESU at any point for the three years they are available. If an organization waits and purchases ESU for the first time, they will have to pay for preceding years as well, since all security updates are cumulative starting January 2020.
What are the Benefits of Upgrading?
The main benefit of upgrading to Windows 10 is security. According to Microsoft, Windows 7 devices are 3.4 times more likely to be targeted by ransomware than Windows 10 devices. The secondary benefit is cost savings. By upgrading prior to the end-of-life expiration dates, you can avoid hefty extended support fees for each device.
All businesses in need of upgrading to Windows 10 should heed the advice to do so. Although extended support and security updates will be available to protect laptops, desktops and servers after the expiration dates, they should be purchased as a last resort.
Contact ProActive Information Management to manage all Windows upgrades for your business. For current ProActive clients, contact your sales rep to take advantage of special offers.
