As of April 11, 2017, Microsoft will no longer provide technical support for its Windows Vista operating system.
This means that there will be no more updates to this system, no automatic patches or online technical support.
You will no longer be guaranteed protection from viruses, malware or spyware that could steal your personal information.
Before you run to the store to buy a new computer, read the following in detail to find out what your options are and what options are available to you.
Keep your current version of Windows Vista
If you want to keep your current computer and its Vista version, you will no longer be covered by Windows Update updates that protect you from spyware and malware that could corrupt your device.
If your operating system has problems, you will no longer be able to contact technical support, as it also ends on April 11, 2017.
As Windows Vista is a platform that dates back to 2007, many system vulnerabilities have been fixed over time, making it a fairly secure and powerful tool.
You can continue to use it, if you have a good protection suite, but be aware that there are still risks.
Our antivirus and protection suite choices
Make sure you have the latest Service Pack installed to get the latest updates available.
Install Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista
If you are used to changing your software often, for example for your printer or different Bluetooth devices, they may no longer be compatible with Vista over time.
This could become a determining factor in your choice to switch to a new version of Windows.
Keep Windows Vista after the support end date
Upgrade to a newer version of Windows
To keep your computer and limit the risk of virus intrusion into it, you can upgrade to a more recent version of the operating system: Windows 7 or 8.
These versions are still available and supported by Microsoft services. However, before upgrading, you must ensure that your computer is compatible with the platform you want to install.
In addition, note the end dates of the support before moving to an earlier version. Support for Windows 7 is expected to end in 2020 and 2023 for Windows 8.
Check the end dates of Windows support
If your device is compatible with Windows 10, it certainly proves to be a good choice in the long term. However, to be able to upgrade to Windows 10, one of the minimum requirements is to have Windows 7 or 8 already installed on your computer.
Please refer to the minimum requirements for an upgrade. If possible, migrate to the most recent version, which will be supported for as long as possible, depending on the features of your current computer.
It is therefore essential to save a backup copy of your files on an external device or in a cloud to reinstall everything later.
Make a copy of your files
IMPORTANT By upgrading to another version of Windows, all content on your computer will be deleted since you will need to reinstall a new operating system.
How to make backups and which hard disk to choose
- An external wireless hard disk drive
- Create your personal cloud with this external hard drive
- Google Drive Storage Service
All your software will have to be installed again and you will need to have the licenses for all these programs on hand to complete their installation and use them again.
Obviously, only software that is compatible with your new version of Windows can be installed. In short, you start over with a computer that no longer contains anything!
Do you have an old computer?
If your computer is several years old, does not have the required configuration to upgrade to a newer version of Windows, you have other options.
Don’t make the mistake of installing a version for which you barely have the minimum configuration, you will end up with a computer that will be slower and that may have technical problems over time…
Here are the options available to you:
1- Stretch the life of your old computer
Keep your Windows Vista with the risks involved. Make a regular backup of your data to avoid losing your files if your device crashes.
When it dies in 1 year, 2-3 years or more, you can start over with a new computer.
2- Buy a new computer at a low price
Buy a new computer, but at a low price. Depending on your habits, you may not need the model of the year and therefore may not have to invest several hundred dollars.
Insertech sells used computers from as little as $100. In addition, a legal license of a recent version of Windows is installed on each computer and you benefit from after-sales support for 1 year!
More information on Insertech’s low-cost computers
3- Start over with a new computer
This is the most expensive option, but it will probably last the longest. Buy a new computer that is compatible with the latest version of Windows and previous versions.
However, you may experience a little culture shock if you are familiar with Windows Vista and a more or less powerful computer. You truncate your old car for a luxury car!