3 reasons why you should move on from Windows 7

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” That’s how a lot of people still see their computer that’s running Windows 7. To be fair, it was—and still is in many respects—a great operating system. It’s tried and true and it works for you. And while using an old PC was fine in 2019, things are a little different now. We are relying more on our PC now. Whether for work or school, connecting with family and friends, or taking some time to relax and disconnect. We need a reliable computer for everything.

Enter Windows 10. Windows 10 has been around for over five years and is actively used on over one billion devices worldwide. It’s intuitive and easy to use and you can get a variety of computer options for any budget.

If you’re a Windows 7 holdout, we get it, but here are a few reasons why you should consider Windows 10.

Smiling woman using laptop while having breakfast at her kitchen table.

1. Performance, price, and plenty of devices to choose from.

Start up fast, switch tasks quickly, connect smoothly, and keep powering through with a battery that lasts all day.1 And with such a variety of computers with great-performing 10th Gen Intel® Core™ processors to choose from, you can find a device to match your budget, needs, and even outfit. Check it out:

  • Accelerated performance
    Windows 10 PCs are portable powerhouses. With apps like Windows Hello and OneDrive, you’ll get faster device login through facial recognition and quicker image search results. For intensive tasks like photo and video editing, you’ll have optimum performance. And you’ll get all of that with great battery life. Thank the 10th Gen Intel® Core™ processors they’re equipped with.
  • A variety of PC styles to choose from
    When it comes to Windows 10 PCs, you'll find quite the collection. From innovative 2-in-1s to thin and light laptops, touchscreens, detachable keyboards—no matter your budget or style, you can find innovation to match.
  • Uncompromised connectivity
    LTE2-compatible Windows 10 PCs3 come with Intel® Wi-Fi 6 to give you super-fast and smooth Wi-Fi speeds to match performance with your potential.3
  • Compatible with a range of devices
    Android, iPhone, smart speakers, TVs, your mouse, keyboard, headphones, and more—your Windows 10 PC plays well with others.4

If you think your Windows 7 PC is still fast, you haven’t seen anything yet. Today’s Windows 10 PCs can come with 10th Gen Intel® Core™ processors, which are enhanced with AI-acceleration to provide boundary-breaking performance. When combined with Intel® Iris® Xe graphics, you can also get incredible gaming and creative capabilities. And it all comes in a thin, lightweight laptop form-factor you would have considered science-fiction back in 2009.

2. Windows 10 devices have better security.

If you haven’t heard, as of January 14, 2020, Windows 7 technical support is no longer available. Software and security updates are no longer provided. You can still use your PC, but you’re at greater risk for viruses and malware. The best way for you to continue to receive security updates: Windows 10.

Think of it like this: a ten-year-old car might run just as well as it did when you bought it. But at its fundamental design, it’s just not as safe as the new cars being built today. Plus, thieves are more likely to know how to break into your outdated lock.

With Windows 10, however, those “thieves” will have to deal with the latest in security helping to keep your stuff safe. Biometric logins5, next-generation antivirus and malware defense6, and tracking prevention7, are built-in and always updated, at no extra cost to you. Check out some of the latest features:

  • Ultra-safe biometric login
    No more making up (let alone trying to remember) long and complicated passwords. Windows Hello uses facial recognition and fingerprints to log only approved users into compatible devices.5
  • Built-in antivirus and malware defense
    No one likes to think about viruses, malware, or hackers. Fortunately, with the all-encompassing Windows Security app, you almost never have to.6
  • A secure and private web browser, the new Microsoft Edge
    The new Microsoft Edge browser has built-in privacy and security features designed to help you keep your personal information private and your passwords secure on the web.7
  • OneDrive PC automatic backup and Personal Vault
    Windows PCs can back up your stuff to OneDrive automatically. Photos, videos, documents—they're all safely stored in the cloud. And you can also access those files from multiple devices.8
  • Help keep your loved ones safe with the content controls
    Use age limits to filter inappropriate apps and games and to block mature websites.9 You can even get notified when your kids want to download a new app or game, keeping you informed and helping you avoid surprises.10

3. Windows 10 devices are ideal for work, school, or playing from home, whether you’re in a home office, on your couch, bed, or floor.

Windows 10 devices with 10th Gen Intel® Core™ processors are designed to help you do your best work no matter where or what. Work, school, family, stay in touch, unwind, connect—whatever you’ve got going, Windows 10 PCs can help you stay productive and even get a little creative. Here are some ways how:

  • A variety of ways to interact with your PC
    Touchscreens4, digital pens11, talk to your PC12, have it talk to you13—you choose how you want to get something done with a Windows PC.
  • Plenty of ways to keep in touch
    Stay connected to family, friends—all the important things—with apps like Skype and Your Phone.
  • A new subscription service with premium apps
    A new Microsoft 365 subscription has all the premium Office apps, free online support, and tons of other stuff. Combine that with a Windows PC and you’ve got what you need to do just about anything.
  • Intuitive time-saving features
    When you have shopping, researching, figuring, finding, browsing, working, and other things that need to get done, Windows 10 has the shortcuts and features to help you hop back and forth easily from start to finish.
  • Over a billion people can’t be wrong, right? If you’re ready to switch or want to learn more about the health of your current PC, download the Guide to Windows 10 app. It will help you troubleshoot and offers customized recommendations based on your current setup.
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  • 1 Battery life varies significantly with settings, usage, and other factors.
  • 2 Data plan required. Plans are not available in all countries or regions. Roaming fees may apply.
  • 3 Best in Class Wi-Fi 6: Intel® Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+) products support optional 160 MHz channels, enabling the fastest possible theoretical maximum speeds (2402 Mbps) for typical 2x2 802.11 AX PC Wi-Fi products. Premium Intel® Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+) products enable 2-4X faster maximum theoretical speeds compared standard 2x2 (1201 Mbps) or 1x1 (600 Mbps) 802.11 AX PC Wi-Fi products, which only support the mandatory requirement of 80 MHz channels.
  • 4 Hardware dependent.
  • 5 Requires specialized hardware, including fingerprint reader, illuminated IT sensor or other biometric sensors and capable devices.
  • 6 Windows Defender version 4.12 & 4.18 scored 100% detection for protection against 0-day malware attacks, inclusive of web and e-mail threats (Real-World Testing) by AV-Test, July and August 2019.
  • 7 Requires the latest version of Microsoft Edge.
  • 8 User must activate PC folder backup. Files may be made available for offline use. Otherwise internet is required. Fees may apply. OneDrive comes with 5GB of cloud storage for free. Additional storage may be purchased with a Microsoft 365 subscription. Files Restore requires a Microsoft 365 subscription (sold separately). OneDrive files are restored to the state they were in before the attack occurred. File versions created up to 30 days in the past can be restored at any time for any reason.
  • 9 Requires a Microsoft family account with Device health sharing permissions enabled. Also requires Android devices with Microsoft Launcher installed and signed in with the same Microsoft account associated with their Microsoft family account. For a parent to access and view a child’s locations and app activities through the https://account.microsoft.com Family web page, Microsoft Launcher must be installed on each child’s device. For a parent to access and view their child’s location(s) and app activities through Microsoft Launcher, Microsoft Launcher must be installed on both the parent’s device and each child’s device. In each case, location and app usage permissions must be allowed through Microsoft Launcher on the child’s device. Activity reporting features require Android 5.0+ on each child’s device. Family settings available on Windows 10 and Xbox One devices. Some settings available on Android devices with Microsoft Launcher installed. Family settings work on the Microsoft Edge browser only.
  • 10 Microsoft 365 subscription required and sold separately.
  • 11 Pen capable tablet or PC required. Pen accessory may be sold separately.
  • 12 Dictation requires a device with microphone and is a user-enabled feature.
  • 13 Read aloud supported for PDF, ePub, web, webpages in Reading view.