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Weatherman

— by Andrè Godfrey

This article will be of little value for the well prepared. This would be engaged from but I can find small businesses and
article will be of little value for the ill prepared. Darned if I individuals appear to be left out of this process.
know why I’m writing it.
The recommended solution from Microsoft and most others
“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist is not to upgrade at all but to purchase a new computer that
has Windows 10 already on it. Upgrading from Windows
expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.” 7 to Windows 10 can be problematic. Things like data not
- William Arthur Ward transferring correctly or applications that don’t recognize

Windows 10. It is not for the faint of heart and validated
From my experience this is not three different kinds of people backups are essential.
but a proscribed sequence of events. First we complain, then
we hope the wind will change, then we finally and reluctantly Here are some draconian measures you could take if you are
adjust the sails. Just in time for the wind to adjust again. not prepared to purchase a new computer.
And new complaints. And that new wind is upgrading your
Microsoft operating system. Again. Disconnect your computer from the network and the
internet. If the bad guys can’t see you, they can’t bring harm
Microsoft is retiring support for its desktop OS Windows 7 your way.
and its server OS Windows 2008 as of Jan. 14, 2020. That’s
next month which is why I’m not certain this article will have Put the computer on a distinct subnet that can only be
any pertinence. This announcement includes all versions accessed by other authenticated systems.
of these operating systems for businesses and consumers.
The lone exception appears to be federally certified voting Obviously these exceptions will only work as exceptions for
systems that run Windows 7. I find it curious that Windows either applications that definitely cannot run on Windows
7 appears insufficient from a security perspective for general 10 or computers that are truly standalones and require zero
business and personal use but for presidential elections is network/internet access. You can’t run a business this way.
more than ‘up to snuff’.
So there’s the complaint and the waiting for the wind to shift
So what will really happen to those who have not upgraded is over. So adjust your sails and go with the prevailing wind.
their PC’s operating system to Windows 10? Likely not You need to seriously look at purchasing new computers with
much at first. Your PC will turn on and your applications will Windows 10 already loaded.
continue to run. You’ll be able to access the internet. So far, it
sounds pretty good. But, like that 100,000 odometer marker “You don’t need to be a weatherman to know which
on your automobile, troubles will soon find you. I cannot way the wind blows” – Bob Dylan
begin to count the security updates Microsoft has produced
for Windows 7 over the years but the list of updates is
enormous. Bad guys don’t sleep. Think about IT.

So without overriding protection from Microsoft, various
malware will probe and uncover weaknesses and eventually Andrè Godfrey is
find ways to get to your valuable data. Like your credit cards.
President,
Can you purchase Windows 7 support past January 2020?
The short answer is ‘yes’ but I’ll be a Goose to your Maverick Entre Computer Services,
if I can figure out how. If I was a large enterprise then I’m
certain my dedicated Microsoft rep would attempt to help www.entrecs.com
me through the migration and the Microsoft mothership

get IT done DECEMBER 2019 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 15