With Windows 10 just around the corner, there are more details being released daily on how it will impact the market. If you review the Microsoft release Window’s Lifestyle Fact Sheet, you will Microsoft is committed to Windows 10 for ten years.
The Microsoft release shows that it will offer “mainstream security” support until 2020 and “extended security” support until 2025.
What is the difference between mainstream support and extended support?
Mainstream support according to Microsoft is to offer support for a minimum of 5 years from the date of a product’s general availability. For example, if you buy a new version of Windows and five years later another version is released, you will still have two years of support left for the previous version. Extended support according to Microsoft will offer extended support for a minimum of 5 years from the date of a product’s general availability.
If you are running Windows 7 or 8.1, you will be able to upgrade to Windows 10 within the first year and you will continue to receive free security updates and fixes until 2025. Microsoft has released the free Windows 10 upgrade so it can keep registered devices current during the Windows 10 support life cycle. Windows updates will also be free during this period with no subscription fees.
So why all these changes at Microsoft with Windows 10?
Microsoft is corporately changing the way it reports revenue and Windows 10 is being listed as Windows-as-a-service. Microsoft does not want to force users to pay for updates and fixes, instead Microsoft will push updates immediately as they happen and businesses will have to pay an annual subscription fee.
How can these Windows 10 update affect your business?
As a managed IT services provider, we believe in proactive network management of all IT infrastructure however it does have to be planned and managed properly. It is great that Microsoft is taking this approach however businesses beware as this may cause unforeseen disruptions in your business.
Most organizations use many Windows products including Microsoft server and workstation operating systems and cloud software however there are also many businesses using legacy or proprietary software. Prior to an update to a system with the latest patch and/or security updates, your IT support services department has to test and verify that it will not cause network downtime.
If you apply updates and patches without testing, your odds of network downtime and data corruption are extremely high. This will cause a spike in tech support issues from users and a loss of productivity and profitability.
Is your business ready for the upcoming Windows 10?
365 iT SOLUTIONS partners with its clients to ensure uptime and profitability. We are Toronto’s leading IT consulting firm and offer cutting edge Managed IT Services, IT Support Services, IT Outsourcing Services, Tech Support Services and Cloud Services.
Enroll in our Complimentary Network and Security Audit by 365itSolutions.com or 416-398-9889
