Frequently Asked Windows 7 End of Life Questions
We address some common questions throughout this page, but here are a few more:
How can I tell if I’m using Windows 7?
To see which version of Windows’ operating system you are using, follow the instructions provided by Microsoft support.
What are the minimum Windows 10 system requirements?
To move from Windows 7 or 8.1 to Windows 10, you need:
- Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster processor or SoC
- RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) for 32-bit or 2 GB for 64-bit
- Hard disk space: 16 GB for 32-bit OS or 20 GB for 64-bit OS
- Graphics card: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver
- Display: 800 x 600
Additionally, certain Windows 10 features may require specific hardware. For example, Client Hyper-V requires a 64-bit system with second level address translation (SLAT) capabilities and additional 2 GB of RAM (available in Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise only.)
More advanced security features require modern security chips on the motherboard, which may necessitate a hardware upgrade.
I’m already using Windows 10. Am I impacted by the new Windows 10?
If you’re currently using Windows 10, be sure you’re using the latest version. As part of the Windows 7 end of life, Microsoft will also no longer support:
- SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2 (July 2019)
- Windows Server 2008 (January 2020)
- Windows Server 2008 R2 (January 2020)
- Exchange 2010 (January 2020)
- Office 2010 (October 2020)
- Sharepoint Server 2010 (October 2020)
- Project Server 2010 (October 2020)
Windows 10 has a unique lifecycle. New releases make it challenging to determine which version to deploy, when you need additional upgrades and whether your hardware will be compatible with subsequent releases. Essendis can help.
Not sure if or how you’ll be impacted by the new Windows 10?
What are the top Windows migration challenges and how do I overcome them?
How do I protect my user data during a Windows 7 upgrade?
Your user data is critical and needs protected during an upgrade. Cloud-based storage and sharing solutions, such as Microsoft OneDrive, give users a secure, resilient file storage option that eliminates the risk of corruption or loss during “high-stress” events like upgrades.
How do I make sure my devices are compatible with Windows 10?
To make sure your devices are compatible with Windows 10, you should conduct an assessment. You can start by reviewing the Windows 10 system requirements. Your devices and servers may require hardware updates or it may be an opportunity to explore alternatives, such as desktop virtualization. View Microsoft’s list of Windows 10 compatible devices.
How do I keep Windows 10 secure after I upgrade?
Once you move to Windows 10, you will receive regular support from Microsoft, which includes software, security and technical updates. If you’ve purchased Extended Support for Windows 7, you’ll want to start thinking about your upgrade path. Contact Essendis to get started.
How do I deal with all the software my users have?
When you start the migration process with an assessment, you will come away with an inventory of all user software. You can then identify duplicate or redundant applications and develop a strategy to move toward application standardization and improved desktop management.
The first step to tackling this is getting a handle on what’s being used. Then you can sift through to eliminate redundancy and shrink your portfolio to streamline operations and reduce overall effort for managing your fleet.
How do I keep my users productive during and after the migration?
Communicating changes to your users is the most important part of a migration. Early buy-in and training will eliminate the shock of change for your users, and upgrading supporting components ahead of Windows will reduce the “big bang” impact of the migration.
How do I manage settings after the migration?
Your options for device management can vary depending on your systems and the size of your organization. Large enterprises can benefit from the scale and granularity of System Center Configuration Manager, and Microsoft Intune and Azure Active Directory offer cloud-based device and user settings management.
