With Windows 7 service coming to an end in only a few days, we thought it was essential to give one last push to those of you who still have not made the jump to Windows 10. After January 15, Windows 7 will no longer be in service, meaning that all security updates will cease. Continuing to run an operating system without support from the developers (i.e. Microsoft), can be extremely risky and will ultimately and inevitably lead to a malware-infected computer. Furthermore, if your business is still using Windows 7 on its work computers, you must upgrade to Windows 10 immediately. Why Upgrading to Windows 10 is Important As you have already read, Windows 7 will be out of service by January 15. However, what you may not understand is what that exactly means for you. Virtually all “end of service” means is that Microsoft will no longer support Windows 7. However, the deeper meaning to that statement is that with Microsoft no longer supporting the operating system (OS), hackers will begin to reverse engineer patches and updates. Essentially, Windows 7 will soon become an open playground for hackers and malware developers. If you are insistent on staying with Windows 7, even though consumers are reporting that they are still able to upgrade for free, you can pay for security updates from Microsoft. This yearly subscription will enable you to stay on Windows 7 and continue to receive security updates from Microsoft, but costs will increase yearly. In our opinion, unless your business relies on Windows 7, there is no excuse not to upgrade to Windows 10. Why Upgrade to Windows 10 First and foremost, Windows 10 is far secure than Windows 7 at this point. With constant updates and patches that have improved performance and security, Windows 10 has come a far way from where it began. Furthermore, upgrading to Windows 10, if you have a valid license of Windows 7, is still free! All you have to do is download the Windows 10 installer and then upgrade it. It is that simple. If you have any questions or concerns, consider contacting Hammett Technologies! We are professionals when it comes to technology and can assist you and your company regardless of the situation! Give us a call and find out why we are the #1 growing MSP in Maryland!
Chances are, if you have had a Windows PC, you have noticed that Microsoft loves to pre-load them with software you will never touch. This bloatware takes up unnecessary space and is a general annoyance to look at! Today, we will go over three in-house methods and one 3rd-party software method to uninstall programs from your computer! Using Control Panel The tried and true method of removal is an oldie but goodie! To get to the Control Panel all you must do is click on the Start Menu and type “control panel” and press enter! You should be created to a window like this……or this: *You can switch between both views depending on your preference using the “View by:” option in the upper right-hand corner of the window. Now that we have cleared up any confusion, look for the button labeled either “Programs and Features” and select it. Or if you are sorting by “Category” find the button labeled “Programs” (1). Directly beneath it you will see “Uninstall a program” (2), which if selected will take you to the same place. Once there, you will be greeted with a full list of all the programs currently installed on the PC. Clicking on one of the programs will reveal a list of options along the top bar, one of which will allow you to uninstall the selected program! If you are curious as to what “Powerful Uninstall” is, we will touch base on that when we reach the 3rd-party uninstall application section. Using Windows Settings A quicker, and just as good of a method for removing a program from your computer is using the relatively new Windows Settings. To view Windows Settings, open your Start menu the same way we did before, but this time locate and select the gear! Once selected, you should be greeted with “Windows Settings”! Now look for the “Apps” button and select it. Once selected, you will once again be shown a full list of all installed programs on your computer! Simply click on one and the uninstall option show appear! Using the Start Menu The quickest, yet most restrictive way of removing a program is through the start menu. This method only works for programs that you have pinned to your start menu. To use this method, first, open your start menu and right-click on any application (on the left-hand column or the squares on the right)! Third-Party Software There is plenty of third-party software out there that can also assist you in uninstalling programs from your machine, especially those pesky programs that always seem to stick around no matter how hard you try to get rid of them. One of my favorite programs is IObit Uninstaller. Completely free and easy to use, the program works similar to the first two methods shown earlier but ensures complete file deletion. If you are having any trouble understanding or following the guide, send us a message! We are more than happy to assist you in uninstalling a pesky program. If you are a business owner, click here to find out how we can help your business grow and stay secure!