Should Educators worry about Windows 7?

January 14, 2020

Educator Warning, as of January 14, 2020, Windows 7 on your school and personal systems will no longer receive security updates or technical support from Microsoft. 

Here is what is really scary… 26% of the computers in the world are still running Windows 7. How many of them are in your school? Your guess is as good as mine. But there is a way to find out without bugging the IT department. 

Should Educators worry about Windows 7?

Windows 7 Start Button

As we know, education sometimes lags behind industry in keeping up with software changes. I can’t blame the school IT departments as they are always understaffed, underfunded, and not always well supported by their administrations. The reality is for some districts when you are struggling to find the funds to buy copy paper. Updating operating systems can seem like an extravagance.

Example Windows 7 Version Page

However, at this point, if the computers in your lab are running Windows 7, then you need to be aware that as of 01/14/2020, the Windows 7 operating system from Microsoft will no longer receive security updates or any support what so ever. You may not be able to change the situation, but you can at least be ready and aware. 

 

How do I check my school computers? 

Method One

Click on the Start button (lower left of your Windows screen)

Type into the Start Menu’s Search Box  winver   

Press Enter

If the version page refers to Windows 7 Home or Windows 7 Professional, then there is your answer.

Windows 7 Start Search Box

Method Two

An alternative method (depending on your system permissions), you can right-click on the desktop screen and click on Display Settings. This will bring up a window and you can look on the left side menu and click on About. About will list some Windows Specifications, one of which is “Edition,” and this will be either Windows 7, 8, or 10. 

 

What does this mean? 

Well, without Microsoft updating the Windows 7 operating system, it first means that systems with Windows 7 will become more vulnerable to viruses and cyber-attacks (even with anti-virus software in place). Microsoft will cease give technical support for Windows 7. This means that if something terrible happens – well, you and your school are on your own. Companies that provide some software you use will stop updating their software to maintain compatibility with Windows 7, and this will mean more vulnerability to your systems for you.  

Should our clients be worried if they have Windows 7?

Lead Developer – Steve

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