Microsoft yesterday ended support to Windows 7 computer operating system. That means it will no longer provide updates or security patches to consumers running on this system. “Microsoft will not be providing technical support for any issues, software updates, security updates or fixes for Windows 7,” reads part of an official release by the US-based firm. This, experts say will lead to a vulnerable attack for thousands of PCs still operating on the system. However, it is also said that this move is a step towards Microsoft’s one billion device goal, aiming to have the Windows 10 operating system running across a billion devices around the world. Microsoft announced that it aims to have Windows 10 running on more than one billion devices by the end of this year after eclipsing 900 million last September. It is not surprising as Microsoft had already ended mainstream support for Windows 7 back in 2015, ceasing to add new features and ending the validity of warranty claims. Windows 7 has been an operating system for the past 11 years. A third of PCs around the world run Windows 7, according to NetMarketShare- an application that provides market share statistics for internet technologies related to usage market share. According to Ronald Mutabazi, technology innovation manager at King Fisher Journeys, a local IT solutions firm, Windows 7 was one of the good versions. Ronald also pointed out that upgrades to Windows 10 are free for consumers. “Windows 7 became so popular, in fact, that it took Windows 10 almost four years just to pass it in market share.” Mutabazi said. However, amidst the sudden transition, Microsoft has released guidelines on how people can upgrade easily to the prominent Windows 10. How to upgrade your PC to Windows 10. 1. Secure data before hand: Users have been encouraged to back up their documents before it is too late to upgrade. 2. Download Windows 10: In order to be able to download, your PC needs at least 32 GB of hard drive storage space, 1 GB of RAM and a processor with a clock speed at of at least 1 GHz. 3. Install the application system: After a successful download you need to install and then activate the new operating system. 4. At this point your PC will then direct you from settings > update & security> activation. Hence upgraded to Windows 10.
