The operating system Windows 7 is one of the best versions that Microsoft launched during the last decade, as the system has won great admiration from users of previous versions of Windows, and it has been a comfortable alternative to Windows 8.

However, as of Tuesday, January 14, 2020, Microsoft stopped providing any technical assistance or updates for Windows 7, as the company sent the last set of security updates to individuals who use the system, and this system will not receive any updates after today.

If you will continue to use the Windows 7 version after the end of support, your computer will operate normally, but it will become more vulnerable to security and virus risks because you will not receive any updates, including security updates.

Accordingly, Microsoft strongly recommends that you upgrade your computer to run Windows 10 to avoid exposure to security risks in the future.

If you are still using Windows 7 on your PC, or using a Windows 7 device in an organization, what are the options available to you?

1. While Microsoft will end support for the operating system, many programs will continue to receive updates for some time. Where Google recently announced that it will provide support for Chrome on Windows 7 for at least 18 months, and programs such as: Steam, Firefox and even Microsoft Edge will be supported at this time.
2. Your options:
• Switch to a supported version from Microsoft:

Microsoft supports two versions of the Windows operating system: Windows 8.1 – Windows XP support until 2023 – and Windows 10.

Upgrading to Windows 10 is still free for users who have a (Windows 7 original license key) Windows 7 product key.

You can also upgrade to Windows 8.1 instead, as it is closer to Windows 7 in many ways and the company will support it for another three years. But the downside to upgrading to Windows 8.1 is that you must purchase a license key for the product.

While if the computer you are using is somewhat old, you can buy a brand new device that supports getting a license for Windows 10 for free, and this is an ideal solution given that the Windows 10 license key costs more than $ 100, it is cheaper in many Sometimes buying a new PC with this key is free.

• Stay on Windows 7 for a longer period:

Windows 7 will not stop working after January 14, 2020, but will continue to work as before, but the only change is that it will not receive official security updates anymore. This is a problem if you are online all of the time, so choosing the appropriate firewall and updated antivirus software is necessary in this case.

• Relying on ESU subscriptions:

This option is suitable for Windows 7 companies, as enterprise and corporate customers can purchase ESU subscriptions to receive security updates after January 14, 2020. The problem is that the cost of the subscription doubles annually, yet it is a good option for organizations that need more time to migrate. Systems or need to use Windows 7 due to the old programs that you are working with that are not compatible with the latest versions of the Microsoft operating system.

• Switch to Linux:

If upgrading to Windows 8 or Windows 10 is not an option for you, you can switch over to Linux. There are lots of Linux distros to choose from Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Manjaro and Zorin OS.