Special Feature
Brought to you by: Sawyer Solutions, www.sawyersolutionsllc.com 
On January 14, 2020, Microsoft will officially discontinue support for both Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008. This means that no new updates will be released for them, including security updates, though you can continue to operate the software.
Why you should care: Any equipment that continues to use Windows 7 and Server 2008 will be vulnerable to exploits as new exploits are exposed without being fixed.
The good news: Any computer can be upgraded from Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 to Windows 10. The computer checks before it installs Windows 10 to make sure it’s compatible. You have the option of just upgrading and keep all of your files/settings. Here’s the link you’ll need: Windows 10 Disc Image.
Do You Need to Update Windows 7 and Server 2008 or Buy Equipment? For businesses, the end of support means that you need to either replace your Windows 7 computers or upgrade them to Windows 10 if the hardware supports it. Windows 10 can cost just under $200 per license, so it might be more cost effective to replace equipment that is more than 4 years old rather than upgrading the operating system. If you have Server 2008, you need to upgrade your server to a newer version. Upgrading a server is significantly more complicated, expensive, and time consuming than upgrading a PC and you need to make sure you have the proper edition and licensing.
Security Compliance and Unsupported Software: Every state now has data breach laws, which means that every business likely now falls under some sort of regulatory compliance. Some regulations like PCI an HIPAA have very specific requirements related to keeping computers and servers updated. Businesses using an unsupported software program like Windows 7 or Server 2008 are likely not in compliance and could end up in hot water. Are there cases where you won’t be able to update? Of course, but you must have a compelling reason for continuing to use the old software. You also have to document that reason and a plan to mitigate the risks resulting from utilization of an out-ofsupport operating system, including a plan to replace it as soon as possible.
If you have any questions or concerns about the operating systems that you are using for your business, we would love to discuss them with you. We can give you recommendations for your everyday usage and business-related functions. Contact us here or call us at (844) 448-7767.
-Brought to you by: Community Partner, Sawyer Solutions 
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