As of January 14, 2020, Microsoft officially ended support for Windows 7. If your organization is still relying on this operating system, it’s time to take action. Upgrading a large number of devices can be challenging, but with a strategic approach, you can navigate this transition smoothly.
Microsoft Has Your Back
One of the first steps should be socializing this event with clients. Let them know about this deadline and its implications. Microsoft helped create awareness through KB4493132, a patch that displays notification windows on Windows 7 machines about the end of support. These notices began appearing mid-April, preparing organizations for client inquiries about these pop-ups.
Help Clients Plan for Change
As a trusted technology partner, inform clients about upgrade risks. Without security updates, systems become vulnerable to cyber threats. A significant percentage of deployed workstations still run Windows 7, underscoring the necessity for upgrade planning.
Budget: Schedule Technology Business Review meetings to discuss financial preparation. Clients often lack large sums for unexpected upgrades, making proactive planning essential for their transition readiness.
Hardware Scoping: Assess machines over three years old as upgrade candidates. Conduct asset inventories, check warranty statuses, and monitor CPU availability. Explore alternatives like AMD processors or pre-built systems.
Software Scoping: Verify custom line-of-business software compatibility with Windows 10 and identify modern replacements when practical.
Next Steps
- Collect comprehensive asset inventories
- Identify Windows 7 prevalence across client environments
- Contact key decision-makers for 30-minute strategy conversations
- Follow up with meeting proposals
- Present upgrade proposals targeting approval within six months
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