Should I Update To Windows 10

It'southward been almost two years since Microsoft officially ended back up for Windows 7 in January 2020. The end shouldn't accept come as a surprise to Windows users: Microsoft promised 10 years of production support for Windows 7 when it was released in Oct 2009, earlier shifting focus to supporting newer technologies, like Windows 11.

That ways Microsoft no longer offers technical help or software updates to your device, and the visitor encouraged people to upgrade to Windows 10 to keep their PCs and laptops secure. (If y'all're a Windows 8.1 user, extended support for that Os won't finish until Jan 2023.) But don't worry -- you can nonetheless utilize this trick to download Windows 10 for free if you desire to. And with Windows 10, you lot tin can upgrade to Windows 11 for costless.

Proceed reading for everything you need to know nearly the end of Windows vii support, and how to brand the switch to Windows 10.

The customizable First menu on Windows 10.
Nate Ralph/CNET

Read more: How to download Windows x for free

Why did Microsoft terminate support for Windows 7?

Microsoft has a long-established Fixed Lifestyle Policy for many of its products. For each version of its Bone, the company offers a minimum of 10 years of support (at to the lowest degree five years of Mainstream back up, followed by five years of Extended support). Both types include security and program updates, cocky-help online topics and extra help you tin pay for.

Windows seven was released in October 2009, so its 10-twelvemonth life bicycle has come to a close. Windows 10 was released in 2015, and extended support for the latest version of the Bone is slated to end in 2025.

Read more than:New to Windows x? Here's how long Microsoft will support it

Will my Windows vii figurer terminate working?

Your Windows 7 computer will go along working, merely Microsoft won't provide security updates or fixes, or technical support for whatever issues -- leaving your reckoner at greater risk from viruses and malware that may broadcast to have reward of any flaws that are after discovered.

That's why it'south critically important for you lot to switch to an Bone version that Microsoft will still put resources behind.

Read more than: Windows 7 support is dead, only these seven security tips will still protect your laptop

Do I have to make the switch to Windows 10?

No one tin can forcefulness yous to upgrade from Windows seven to Windows ten, but y'all're leaving your devices and potentially your privacy vulnerable if yous don't brand the leap. Without security updates or fixes, you're putting your computer at risk -- an especially dangerous choice, as many forms of malware target Windows devices.

Windows 10 likewise has a number of born security tools: Windows Defender Antivirus protects against malware and spyware across electronic mail, apps, the cloud and the web, while Windows Hello offers a countersign-costless sign-in choice to unlock your devices with your face or a fingerprint reader. A Find My Device service can lock and erase your Windows device remotely, or map the location of your device.

Read more than:The all-time antivirus protection of 2021 for Windows 10

Isn't Windows 10 pretty buggy?

Some people have been hesitant to make the switch due to reports of several bugs in earlier versions of Windows x. Just Microsoft has made several changes to its update arroyo since so. The biggest change came with the May 2019 release, including slower rollouts with boosted testing, more options for pausing updates and more disclosure of known problems, so your experience should be smoother.

Many of the issues were due to the fact that updates are happening more frequently, said Gartner Research analyst Steve Kleynhans. "But overall virtually users seem pretty happy with the OS and like the feel it brings, especially on newer devices," he added.

Read more: half dozen simple security changes all Windows 10 users need to brand

What's the divergence between Windows 7 and Windows 10, anyway?

Besides a suite of security tools, Windows 10 also offers more features. One is the Your Phone app, which allows you to access texts, notifications and apps from your telephone using your PC -- similar to Apple's Continuity features. A feature chosen Calls allows you to place and answer Android calls on your PC (and yous can connect your iPhone to your Windows PC equally well). A dictation characteristic lets you lot easily record ideas.

Microsoft'south digital assistant Cortana is besides available on Windows 10 PCs. The OS also integrates meliorate with Microsoft OneDrive and other deject tools.

Read more: xi easy Windows ten tricks you didn't know about

The most recent Windows x November 2021 update includes features like new Wi-Fi security standards and other changes aimed at direction and security.

Different previous versions of the OS, Windows 10 offers automatic updates past default, to keep systems more secure. (You can turn these off if you desire to, by going to Windows Update Settings > Advanced Options and irresolute from Automatic to some other option in the drop-down menu.)

Read more: 5 Windows 10 features that beat out what you had on Windows 7

How exercise I upgrade from Windows vii to Windows 10? How much will information technology cost me?

Y'all can buy and download Windows 10 via Microsoft'south website for $139. While Microsoft technically ended its free Windows 10 upgrade plan in July 2016, as of November 2021, CNET has confirmed the free update is still available for Windows seven, viii, and viii.1 users. Check out our footstep-past-step guide on how to upgrade to Windows 10 for free.

Read more: 20 pro tips to make Windows 10 work the fashion you want (free PDF) (TechRepublic)