Can a Toshiba Windows 7 Starter Laptop Be Renewed to Like New Again

Information technology's been almost ii years since Microsoft officially concluded back up for Windows vii in January 2020. The stop shouldn't have come as a surprise to Windows users: Microsoft promised 10 years of product support for Windows 7 when it was released in October 2009, before shifting focus to supporting newer technologies, like Windows 11.

That ways Microsoft no longer offers technical assist or software updates to your device, and the visitor encouraged people to upgrade to Windows 10 to keep their PCs and laptops secure. (If yous're a Windows 8.1 user, extended support for that OS won't end until Jan 2023.) Simply don't worry -- you tin can even so apply this trick to download Windows 10 for gratuitous if you want to. And with Windows 10, yous can upgrade to Windows 11 for complimentary.

Keep reading for everything you demand to know about the stop of Windows 7 support, and how to brand the switch to Windows 10.

The customizable Beginning menu on Windows 10.

Nate Ralph/CNET

Read more: How to download Windows x for free

Why did Microsoft end support for Windows seven?

Microsoft has a long-established Stock-still Lifestyle Policy for many of its products. For each version of its Os, the company offers a minimum of 10 years of support (at least five years of Mainstream support, followed by five years of Extended support). Both types include security and programme updates, cocky-help online topics and actress assist you can pay for.

Windows vii was released in October 2009, and then its 10-year life cycle has come to a close. Windows ten was released in 2015, and extended back up for the latest version of the Os is slated to end in 2025.

Read more:New to Windows ten? Hither'due south how long Microsoft will support it

Volition my Windows 7 reckoner stop working?

Your Windows 7 calculator will keep working, but Microsoft won't provide security updates or fixes, or technical support for whatever issues -- leaving your estimator at greater take chances from viruses and malware that may broadcast to take advantage of any flaws that are later discovered.

That's why information technology'southward critically important for you to switch to an Os version that Microsoft will still put resources behind.

Read more: Windows 7 support is dead, but these seven security tips volition still protect your laptop

Do I have to brand the switch to Windows 10?

No one can force yous to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10, merely you're leaving your devices and potentially your privacy vulnerable if you don't brand the jump. Without security updates or fixes, you lot're putting your computer at risk -- an peculiarly unsafe choice, equally many forms of malware target Windows devices.

Windows ten likewise has a number of born security tools: Windows Defender Antivirus protects confronting malware and spyware across email, apps, the cloud and the spider web, while Windows Hello offers a countersign-gratuitous sign-in option 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:The best antivirus protection of 2021 for Windows ten

Isn't Windows x pretty buggy?

Some people accept been hesitant to make the switch due to reports of several bugs in earlier versions of Windows 10. Simply Microsoft has made several changes to its update approach since then. The biggest alter came with the May 2019 release, including slower rollouts with additional testing, more options for pausing updates and more disclosure of known issues, so your experience should be smoother.

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

Read more: six simple security changes all Windows 10 users demand to make

What'due south the difference between Windows 7 and Windows ten, anyway?

Besides a suite of security tools, Windows 10 also offers more features. Ane is the Your Phone app, which allows yous to access texts, notifications and apps from your telephone using your PC -- like to Apple tree's Continuity features. A feature called Calls allows you to identify and answer Android calls on your PC (and y'all can connect your iPhone to your Windows PC likewise). A dictation characteristic lets you easily record ideas.

Microsoft's digital assistant Cortana is too bachelor on Windows 10 PCs. The Os also integrates meliorate with Microsoft OneDrive and other cloud tools.

Read more: eleven piece of cake Windows 10 tricks you didn't know about

The almost recent Windows 10 November 2021 update includes features like new Wi-Fi security standards and other changes aimed at management and security.

Unlike previous versions of the OS, Windows 10 offers automatic updates by default, to keep systems more secure. (You tin can turn these off if you desire to, by going to Windows Update Settings > Advanced Options and changing from Automated to another option in the drop-downwardly menu.)

Read more: 5 Windows ten features that shell what you had on Windows 7

How practise I upgrade from Windows vii to Windows 10? How much will it price me?

You can buy and download Windows 10 via Microsoft'due south website for $139. While Microsoft technically ended its free Windows x upgrade program in July 2016, as of November 2021, CNET has confirmed the free update is still available for Windows vii, 8, and 8.1 users. Cheque out our stride-by-footstep guide on how to upgrade to Windows 10 for free.

Read more: twenty pro tips to brand Windows 10 work the way you want (gratis PDF) (TechRepublic)

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Source: https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/windows-7-to-10-upgrade-seriously-heres-why-you-need-to-update/

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