Many companies tend to operate on older versions of operating systems due to the stability and potential issues with upgrading. Unfortunately, there comes a point when the version reaches its end of life. The version will still exist, but there is no longer support for it from developers. This leaves the business open to vulnerabilities, which is something to be aware of before making a decision about upgrading. Those who are worried about the end of life for Windows 8.1 will want to know the following about how to get ready.
Get Professional Help
Industry experts recommend having professional help when dealing with upgrades. Business owners should start by looking for managed IT services so they can get the help needed for less. Managed IT services provide professional assistance, which can help with updates and upgrades to prevent any potential issues. Long after the upgrade is done, the owner can continue to take advantage of the services to ensure the business runs smoothly.
Consider the Ramifications of Staying
Various versions of Windows have been released since 1985. Each of these, other than the current version, has reached its end of life soon after the next version was released. For Windows 8.1, support continued for longer than is typical because of its popularity. Unfortunately, developers have decided to stop providing support in 2023. Business owners can continue to use version 8.1, but they will no longer receive updates to cover security issues. New vulnerabilities will not be patched, leaving the business at risk of being hacked. This can have devastating consequences if it does happen.
Start Looking Into What Upgrades Might Mean
Upgrading to the latest version of Windows isn’t hard, but it can be more complicated than it seems. The amount of time it will take depends on the number of computers to be updated. Once the computers are updated, will all of the programs used still work? Some programs may require major updates, while others may need to be replaced because they no longer work. Plus, there’s always the possibility that something will go wrong, leading to lost data or other major issues for the business. Owners should take all of this into account before upgrading.
Back Up Everything Just In Case
Before starting the upgrade, it’s best to back up everything. This includes all data for the business as well as programs and anything else that is needed to operate. It is a good idea to also do a system image backup for Windows 8.1, as this provides the business with a working backup if the upgrade fails and 8.1 needs to be restored so the business can open for the day. If anything does go wrong, the system can be restored temporarily to prevent a loss of profits and the upgrade can be done again at a later date.
Are you still running Windows 8.1 for business computers? If so, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, the operating system has reached its end of life, so it’s a good idea to think about updating to the latest Windows OS. To do this, make sure you take the steps here and consider what will need to be done for the upgrade to be successful. Use managed IT services to make the upgrade process as seamless as possible and have help readily available in case anything does go wrong. This way, the upgrade will be as painless as possible for the business.