Welcome to the PC PAL Newsletter - October 2016
This month we are dedicating our exclusive extended newsletter to inform our customers (and their friends & family) regarding Microsoft ending support for Windows Vista in only a few months time!
I think it’s fair to say that Windows Vista has always been a bit like marmite. Some people loved it while others hated it. For me, it will always have a special place in my heart. It was the first “Windows Operating System” release since I started my career as a Computer Engineer.
I've seen its initial, slightly dreadful, release as well as having had the pleasure of watching Microsoft make major improvements. Not only did this make Windows Vista faster, more stable and usable but it set the foundations for Microsoft’s next major and more popular Operating System “Windows 7”.
So as we did with Windows XP we dedicate this newsletter to telling you everything you need to know about the end of Microsoft's support for Windows Vista.
Only Six Months to Go!
What does 'ending support' mean?
Microsoft will be ending support for Windows Vista on the 11th April 2017 after more than 10 years of supporting it.
This means that, after this date, Microsoft will cease to provide security updates, making users more vulnerable to being hacked and picking up infections. This is because any new security holes found within its security will not be patched, making it a greater risk to use.
In addition there will be no more 'bug fixes' or compatibility updates meaning that new software or hardware you try to install in future might not be compatible.
Will my desktop computer or laptop just stop working?
The good news is that your Windows Vista system won’t suddenly stop functioning. You can continue to use your desktop computer or laptop and even download previous security patches, but the bad news is that no new security patches will be provided. Also, we will still be able to re-install and activate your Windows Vista system in case of any repairs that you may need.
How does this affect any future software and hardware?
As Microsoft drops support for Windows Vista, it's normal that the rest of the IT industry will follow suit. Google has already dropped support for its Google Chrome browser, Adobe doesn't support it’s acrobat reader and most new computer games don't have Windows Vista support.
Printer manufacturers may also start to drop its support and security companies like Norton, McAfee and AVG may also cease to support Windows Vista in the near future. Windows Vista will become like Windows XP and 98 — an orphaned, outdated operating system with no official or third-party support and extremely vulnerable to virus infections and hacking.
Should I upgrade to Windows 10?
Upgrading to Windows 10 is a viable option but only for some systems and would resolve the issues mentioned above. Unfortunately, Windows Vista wasn’t part of the Windows 10 free upgrade program so you would need to purchase a Windows 10 licence (about £80) and you would most likely need an engineer to help you migrate to Windows 10 as you can’t upgrade directly from Vista, which would also add additional cost.
Because of this, upgrading can be a little expensive and for some older systems, it is simply not worth it. That’s before we start looking at the compatibility of the older hardware and whether that hardware would be fast enough to run Windows 10 successfully.
However, if you bought quite an expensive, high-end machine albeit all those years ago it may still be worth talking to one of our engineers about upgrading your system. Our engineers can then advise you further.
Should I buy a new system?
This is the route many of you might prefer to take. Rather than spending a lot of money on trying to continue to use older hardware you will certainly have a very functional and more robust system once everything is set up. PC PAL can help you all the way. This could include giving some initial advice on what to buy, setting your new system up as well as transferring your data and programs across from your old system.
This is certainly more expensive than upgrading but you'd be getting much better value for money by investing in a newer and faster system which is under warranty.
