WORRIED ABOUT WINDOWS 7 END OF LIFE AND SUPPORT?
Run your business-critical applications in Windows 7 OS with Microsoft Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) on Azure cloud and extend Windows 7 support.
STILL USING WINDOWS 7 … WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
200 Million
PC are estimated to still be running Windows 7
53%
Of IT professionals admitted that they’ve yet to complete their Windows 10 migrations
99%
Of Windows apps are compatible with Windows 10 Pro
Microsoft has discontinued Windows 7 support. The specific end of support day for Windows 7 was January 14, 2020. Although your favorite Windows 7 based desktop and business critical applications will continue to operate but using it will become increasingly insecure and expose your organization to more risks and vulnerabilities.)
WHY YOUR WINDOWS 7 ENVIRONMENT IS NOW A RISK
As of January 2020 PCs running Windows 7 no longer receive security updates and no more patches will be released. This means no technical assistance and software updates from Windows Update that help protect your PCs will be available for your organization.
As every cloud has a silver-lining, there is a one here as well for you. You can keep your organization and business users running safely beyond that date, thanks to Microsoft Windows Virtual Desktop service.
What are your Windows 7 End of Life Options?
Although complete migration is ideal, it isn’t always the most practical or cost effective solution for a number of organizations. Going forward you have some options:
Remain on Windows 7
Obviously, this is the worst option as ignoring the problem leaves organizations vulnerable to various security threats. Historically, hackers have exploited the absence of security patches for EOL OS’s and will likely exploit the laggards of the Win7 migration. Staying on Windows 7 may seem like the path of least resistance, but it will cause more problems in the long run..
Pay Microsoft for extended support
Microsoft offers Extended Security Updates for Windows 7 until January 2023. These provide Critical and Important security updates on an individual basis to cover organizations as they migrate.. But they are expensive and could rise in price each year.
Finish your migration ASAP
The best option is to complete your migration, but this can be easier said that done for organizations with outdated infrastructure and slow networks. This can also be expensive and complicated depending on your current licensing situation if you don’t have a detailed inventory and plan for CAL migration and management.
… OR CONSIDER WINDOWS VIRTUAL DESKTOP
WHY MICROSOFT WINDOWS VIRTUAL DESKTOP (WVD) IS THE RIGHT SOLUTION FOR WINDOWS 7 EOL
Windows Virtual Desktop is a cloud-based service that is delivered on Azure. It is the best virtualized Windows and native M365 desktop app experience available in virtualized environment. Using WVD service, Windows 7 is eligible to be run as an Azure Virtual Machine. Organization upgrading from Windows 7 using Windows Virtual Desktop also gets free Windows 7 Extended Security Updates through 2023 at no additional cost.
Therefore, WVD presents an appropriate long-term strategic option for organizations looking for virtualization solution and also continue to use the Windows 7.
Flex1™ = Managed (DaaS + M365) + MANAGED SERVICES + 24/7*365 HELPDESK
Flex1 is a unique cloud-based digital workspace platform that combines configurable governance, security and compliance with productivity apps on a WVD + AZURE backed infrastructure
…ALL INCLUDED IN ONE BILL.
- Productivity tools and a workspace your team already knows
- Integrated account and infrastructure DIY management tools
- Integrated automated business continuity tools
- Scalable, flexible cloud based remote desktop architecture
- 24/7 Helpdesk for employees and IT
- All managed, supported and billed through one vendor
ARTICLES AND RESOURCES
LEARN MORE ABOUT WVD
As per Gartner, one of the top digital workplace trends on the Hype Cycle 2020 that CIOs will be paying attention to in the years to come is DaaS – desktop on cloud. As per this trend, COVID-19 highlighted the value and business continuity strength of DaaS in its ability to rapidly enable remote work where on-premises options have stalled. The pandemic is likely to accelerate adoption of DaaS, and it may even perpetuate as a delivery architecture when employees return to the office.