Should I migrate to Windows 10 or continue using its existing? Alas, there is no universal answer to this question. Microsoft would probably say that adopting Windows 10 is the smart choice. But an upgrade is not necessarily relevant. Each must weigh advantages and disadvantages according to its specific situation.
Cost
The first thing that comes to mind is obviously the cost. Microsoft has initially made Windows 10 licenses available to Windows 7 users free of charge, but this offer has expired and organizations that now decide to migrate must acquire the appropriate licenses. The professional edition of Windows 10 is now sold for $ 199. Windows 10 Enterprise is available for subscription at $ 7 per user per month or $ 84 per year. Organizations using functional technologies can still upgrade for free.
Support
General support for Windows SP1 was completed on January 13, 2015. Extended support remains available until January 14, 2020. This means that Microsoft has stopped updating Windows 7, except for some patches, especially for vulnerabilities. It is however possible to pay the publisher for a dedicated support.
Microsoft has suggested that Windows 10 would be the latest client operating system in the future: rather than replacing it with a new one in a few years, the publisher will regularly upgrade and modernize Windows 10 with new features. The general support of the latter should however come to an end on October 13, 2020.
In the end, there is nothing wrong with choosing to continue using Windows 7. But that means missing out on some innovations.
Cost
The first thing that comes to mind is obviously the cost. Microsoft has initially made Windows 10 licenses available to Windows 7 users free of charge, but this offer has expired and organizations that now decide to migrate must acquire the appropriate licenses. The professional edition of Windows 10 is now sold for $ 199. Windows 10 Enterprise is available for subscription at $ 7 per user per month or $ 84 per year. Organizations using functional technologies can still upgrade for free.
Support
Microsoft has suggested that Windows 10 would be the latest client operating system in the future: rather than replacing it with a new one in a few years, the publisher will regularly upgrade and modernize Windows 10 with new features. The general support of the latter should however come to an end on October 13, 2020.
In the end, there is nothing wrong with choosing to continue using Windows 7. But that means missing out on some innovations.
Reliability
One of the main arguments for Windows 7 is that it is a proven, stable and reliable operating system. But after more than a year of use in production, and despite some initial bugs, Windows 10 today appears as reliable as its predecessor.
But the heart of Windows 7 is today relatively static. Microsoft periodically releases security patches, but that's it. Conversely, Windows 10 is highly dynamic. Microsoft released a major update on August 2nd. And the publisher has announced the Creator Update , another important update, for early 2017. Each of these updates is likely to affect stability.
One of the main arguments for Windows 7 is that it is a proven, stable and reliable operating system. But after more than a year of use in production, and despite some initial bugs, Windows 10 today appears as reliable as its predecessor.
But the heart of Windows 7 is today relatively static. Microsoft periodically releases security patches, but that's it. Conversely, Windows 10 is highly dynamic. Microsoft released a major update on August 2nd. And the publisher has announced the Creator Update , another important update, for early 2017. Each of these updates is likely to affect stability.
Compatibility
Most software designed for Windows 7 can run smoothly under Windows 10. However, some applications may need minor tweaks to run on Windows 10. But a few applications will not work at all. Better to be careful and test the compatibility of its applications before deciding to migrate.
On the hardware side, Windows 7 and 10 have the same needs. In all probability, a computer capable of running Windows 7 will be able to work with its successor. Problems can occur with drivers or insufficient storage capacity.
Conversely, it is possible that Windows 7 does not take full advantage of the capabilities offered by some recent hardware. And some manufacturers have stopped offering drivers for this operating system.
Most software designed for Windows 7 can run smoothly under Windows 10. However, some applications may need minor tweaks to run on Windows 10. But a few applications will not work at all. Better to be careful and test the compatibility of its applications before deciding to migrate.
On the hardware side, Windows 7 and 10 have the same needs. In all probability, a computer capable of running Windows 7 will be able to work with its successor. Problems can occur with drivers or insufficient storage capacity.
Conversely, it is possible that Windows 7 does not take full advantage of the capabilities offered by some recent hardware. And some manufacturers have stopped offering drivers for this operating system.