About the Windows 7 support expiration.

We are getting a lot of calls with concern and even stress about the win7 support ending, so we would like to give a few answers on the subject.
Support of Win7 ending doesn't mean your computer will crash or become unusable on that date.
It means Microsoft will no longer have security and operating system updates or phone support for Win7.
Are there security reasons for updating to Win10?
Sure, and as time goes by those concerns will become larger, due to no new operating system patches and updates.
In our opinion, there is no guarantee that Windows of any version is safe from threats or ever will be. (one big reason we are in business)
I myself use Win7 Pro normally, because it runs some programs Win10 won't that I don't want to give up.
I will keep using it until I have a good reason to move to Win10.

There are multiple options one has to deal with this.
One is to follow the instructions for upgrading to Win10 as shown in some of the screens users are getting or may get, and those are described here. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...g-an-outdated-version-of-windows-notification

A few things to note.
There is ZERO guarantee that the upgrade will run on your current computer, and actually zero guarantee that your computer will be usable after the attempt.
On top of this the Win10 upgrade will likely throw away some programs you use and love.

On this subject we recommend anyone running Win7 replace the computer with a new Win10 if your computer is critical to what you need it for, or even for the peace of mind it may bring.
Our recommendation is to not attempt an upgrade, but to replace the machine with a new Win10 machine.

This is why.
If a person calls us to help with a Win10 upgrade for their existing computer we tell them up front that there is NO guarantee it will upgrade their existing computer, nor will we guarantee any of their installed programs will work in Win10.
BUT, we will try it if they insist and will be charged for the time involved in the attempt.
These days the time to back up a computer and upgrade an OS with all the involved details can cost just about as much as a new computer.
This means if an upgrade attempt to an existing computer is made and fails, the customer could be on the hook for 100's of dollars and still be in the same spot they were when we started.

Of course there are exceptions, including people who consider themselves to be capable of attempting the upgrade just to see what happens.
There is nothing wrong with that, but the info here is for the average person that uses a computer.

All this said, our best recommendation is to either ignore the warnings about upgrading until you are forced out of Win7 or buy a new Win10 system.
You as the user can determine how important your information or need for the system is, and if you are willing to risk it.
Like I mentioned before, ALL Windows operating systems are ALWAYS at risk of loosing your stuff no matter what you do, and especially if connected to the internet.
For home users we recommend keeping important files and data on a separate device, and NOT physically on the computer if you really want your stuff to be safe from loss, infection or theft.
Use the computer as basically a throwaway device to access the Internet and social networking.
Keep your important stuff on a thumb drive, or duplicate thumb drives.
Some have external drives, but the problem with these is that most leave them plugged into the computer all the time, leaving them accessible to infection, hardware failure or theft.
If you want to use an external drive, then at least unplug it from the computer when not actually in use. (but it is still susceptible to failure being an electro/mechanical device.)

Hope this helps answer some questions some might have.
This info is not intended to cover every possible scenario of course, but just to help address some of the concerns that may be out there about the Win7 "Out Of Support" messaging.

Thanks