If your business uses computers with any version of the Windows operating system, then you and your employees have seen the pop-ups asking you to update to the latest version. If you and your staff are like most users, you probably close the pop-up and go back to what you were doing when it appeared. Did you know that you could be compromising your computers’ performance and security by not updating?

All Windows products have a life cycle. This means that after a certain date determined by Microsoft, they will no longer be providing updates, security, or support for a specific product. Microsoft ended support for Windows XP in 2014 and plans to do so for Vista in 2017.

Other than having the most recent operating system available, here are the top three reasons why your business should update its computers:

1. Protection from malicious software. *Even if you use anti-virus or anti-malware programs, they may not provide sufficient protection from security threats. Windows’ security updates are tailored to the operating system’s needs, providing the best protection possible.
2. Get the bugs out.* No operating system is perfect. All have bugs or other issues that may impact the performance of your computer. Newer versions of operating systems are improvements on previous versions, often resolving issues from the past.
3. Access new software and features. *New operating systems come with new features that you may not have had with your previous operating system. These features may come in software or upgrades to existing software, like Microsoft Office, for example.

If you’re wondering how much these updates will cost you, don’t fret. If you’re running Windows 8, you may be eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 10, the most recent edition of the operating system, from Microsoft. If you do take advantage of this offer, you will have support from Microsoft until 2025.

When you should update depends on which operating system you have. If you are using Windows 8, it is recommended to install Windows 10. However, if you are running Windows 7, you should wait at least a year to install Windows 10 because this will allow Microsoft to resolve any issues that arise during that time.

An updated computer is essential to your business’ daily activities. Not only will your computers perform better with an updated operating system, but they will be safer from viruses and other threats. If your business would like to install the latest version of Windows, please contact us. Our IT Support team would be happy to help you.