Microsoft has announced their upcoming operating system (OS), Windows 11, will be released next year. Much like the upgrade to Windows 10 some years ago, this upgrade will be offered for free to PCs that meet the minimum hardware requirements and are running the most recent version of Windows 10. The Windows 11 website will soon have a “PC Health check” available to let you know if your device can upgrade for free.
But why should you upgrade if your business is running happily on Windows 10?
The biggest reason to upgrade to the latest OS is security. With each iteration developers get better at building up safeguards and preventing cyber criminals from hacking into your networks. Security patches roll out regularly to fix loopholes and build up better defenses. Being on the latest OS means you have the latest defenses at your disposal.
Enhanced usability is also a perk of upgrading. Windows 11 will offer a refreshed look and new applications that make better use of modern technology. While this is largely a matter of preference, it may be worth upgrading if you find the existing Windows 10 experience unintuitive or clunky.
The last and most pressing reason to upgrade is the inevitable end of life of older versions of software. Eventually, Windows 10 will no longer be supported. This means security updates will no longer roll out, and the old versions will be vulnerable to cyber attacks.
Upgrading an office’s computers is a daunting task. Make sure you contact your IT specialist to determine when the right time to upgrade is, and to make sure the job is done with minimal interruption to your practice’s daily business.
