It’s official: Windows 7 support comes to an end on Jan. 14, 2020. After 10 years, Windows 7 users will no longer receive security and other updates.
Extended support for Windows 8.1 users, however, ends in January 2023. What are your options? Upgrade to Windows 10.
While some users have been hesitant to make the switch due to Windows 10 issues, Microsoft has made an effort to rectify those. The company laid out several changes to its update approach including slower rollouts, option to pause updates and better disclosure of known bugs.
Overall, most users seem happy with windows 10 and like the new user experience, especially on newer devices.
Why You Should Upgrade to Windows 10
Windows 10 has been around since 2015. It provided a more desktop-oriented interface and increased capabilities including the Cortana personal assistant.
Here are the top reasons why you should upgrade your PC to Windows 10.
Better User Experience
Windows 10 has an array of improved user experience features. There is Cortana, for example, Microsoft’s digital assistant that brings added ease to the OS.
Additionally, Windows 10 has the Your Phone App, which allows you to read texts, and receive notifications on your phone using your PC. It also has a featured named Calls that allows you to place and answer Android calls on your PC.
A dictation feature lets you easily record ideas.
The latest Windows 10 November update includes features that make it easier to configure notifications and manage them from an app, or website. It gives users the ability to create events directly from the Calendar widget on the Taskbar, instead of opening the app.
Security
Security is the major reason why you should upgrade to Windows 10. Come January, Microsoft will not provide security updates or technical support to Windows 10 users. A lack of essential updates leaves your computer more vulnerable to viruses and other malware.
Windows 10 comes with built-in Windows Defender Antivirus to protect against malware and spyware across email, apps, the cloud, and the web.
It also comes with Windows Hello, a password-free sign-in option to unlock devices using your face or a fingerprint reader.
Another feature, Find My Device, can remotely lock and erase your Windows device, or map its location.
Automatic Updates
Windows 10 offers automatic updates by default keeping your systems more secure. (You can turn these off if you want to, by going to Windows Update Settings > Advanced Options and changing from Automatic to another option in the drop-down menu.)
Users get updates fairly frequently, quite like when using an Android or iOS device. You get prompts to continuously update the operating system. For the most part, Windows 10 upgrade is smooth for most users.
How to Upgrade to Windows 10
You can download Windows 10 from Microsoft’s website. While Microsoft ended its free Windows 10 upgrade program in July 2016, reports indicate that the free update was still available for Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 users.