‘Free’ Windows 10 Upgrade

Microsoft plans to introduce Windows 10 during the second half of the year – and it’s offering free upgrades for Windows 7 and 8. Free? Well, sort of.

Although nothing is set in cyberstone, early indications are that Microsoft will provide a free upgrade for qualified customers for a year. After that, you may have an option to continue with whatever version you downloaded; buy a copy or sign up for a subscription.

That last possibility may be the way Microsoft will go. The company has been pushing subscription-based software for a long time – at least as far as time is measured in technology – and it seems to be successful. Office 365 is a major part of their business, and when it’s time to upgrade software, Microsoft upgrades Office 365 first.

We like Office 365, and our customers who have subscribed like it. We know email will always work, and we know that all the performance and security updates will be installed. If Windows 10 follows the Office 365 model, we believe it will be a great product, especially for homes, home offices and small businesses.

The upgrade offer will likely apply to Windows-based computers and devices, and that makes sense for Microsoft as the company tries to expand and strengthen its customer base through integration. The company believes that as customers start to learn better how the software works, they will grow to appreciate (or become dependent upon) the innovations and will pay to stay on board with the most up-to-date software available.

So, who may be left out of the free offer? Enterprise users will not qualify for the free upgrade. In not so many words, Microsoft notes that enterprise customers are already on subscription for the service and that they will see the value of maintaining Microsoft across all of their platforms.

Many anti-virus programs and other applications are already available through subscription, and we advise you to take advantage of the benefits. In almost all cases, the subscription works out to be less expensive when you factor in all the benefits of performance and security – especially as hacking becomes more prevalent.

Now would be a good time to start assessing how you can take advantage of Windows 10. Most of the systems on Windows 7 and all of the systems on Windows 8 or 8.1 should be able to migrate to the new OS. We can help you evaluate your current system and see how it can meet your ongoing needs over the next 6 to 24 months. That can help you budget for seamlessly moving forward with your technology. Call us at 973-433-6676 or email us to set up an appointment.

Windows of Opportunity Opening for Microsoft?

Microsoft has announced Windows 10, and it can’t be coming to a computer near you soon enough if you have Windows 8. We believe Microsoft is finally on the right track with a new operating system that creates a cohesive environment across all platforms. Here’s what you can expect.

For home users, you’ll get a lot of the look and feel of Windows XP back – along with the ability to use the tiles of Windows 8 and 8.1. You will be able to upgrade to Windows 10.

Except for one business client, who had no option but to go to Windows 8 because of poor service from a previous support provider, all of our business clients are on Windows 7 – or are surviving with XP. If XP is making your business life intolerable – or difficult – you can upgrade to Windows 7 Professional, which is the version we provide.

We don’t know at this time what upgrades Microsoft will make available for Windows 7 users. We’re hoping they’ll be liberal in their policies because we believe they damaged their reputation and because we believe there are still a lot of Microsoft users out there.

Despite all you hear and read about Apple and the Mac, Windows is still the dominant operating system, but it is a fast-changing world. A lot of what you’ll see in Windows 10 is a refined version of the attempt Microsoft made with Windows 8 to better integrate with the iPhone and iPad worlds. The touchscreen capability was a big part of that strategy, and you can expect to see that continue in Windows-based tablets and phones. We believe many laptop users will migrate toward lighter-weight tablets as they make more use of the cloud and as habits change over time.

Accounting for the timing of habit changes is one reason for Microsoft to upgrade its OS so quickly. A vast majority of business users – as well as many home users – could not easily adapt to the tiles and the lack of the “start” button in the lower left corner of the screen. Windows 10 will restore the “start” button and other familiar navigation cues, and it will help Microsoft integrate with the “swipe” capabilities of device touchscreens. A lot of PC users have iPhones and iPads, but businesses have been reluctant to change complete office systems, and home users have been cost-sensitive. The argument that Macs are virus-free has lost steam as their infection rate has increased.

However, we caution you not to expect to be up and running immediately. Microsoft still needs to work out the bugs that plague any new system. As it stabilizes, we’ll start testing it and begin to formulate our recommendations.

In the meantime, we believe the new OS will be part of other upgrades from Microsoft. These could include a new version of Office – especially Office 365, which we continue to recommend – to remain up to date with software changes and changes in the way the world does business.

We hope Microsoft will push out a new Office for the Mac world, especially with the coming of Yosemite, Apple’s new OS for the Mac. Otherwise, Mac users could migrate to Pages, Keynote and Numbers, the Mac’s version of Word, PowerPoint and Excel. We usually see leaked images of changes such as this, and the rumor mill is churning. In addition to Yosemite, we expect to see a new iPad and the official rollout of Apple Pay.

With so many changes coming and so many possibilities, it’s critical to make sure you plan your technology acquisitions with great care. We can help you plan and budget for your business and home needs and help you phase in and integrate the systems you need to make business and home life efficient. Call us at 973-433-6676 or email us for answers to your questions or to set up an appointment to discuss your needs.

 

Windows 8.1 Update – Do it Today!

Did you just install Windows 8.1 on your computer and think you are set? Think again. You need to install Update 1 (like a Service Pack update) Windows 8.1 today in order to get all service updates for that version of the Windows operating system. Here’s why it’s important to act now.

Windows 8.1 Update is a cumulative update to Windows 8.1, containing all the updates Microsoft has released for Windows 8.1. This means that if you install this update, you will not need any earlier updates. And that’s a good thing – because there won’t be any more updates for 8.1 unless you have Update 1. More important, Update 1 is the new servicing baseline for Windows 8.1, which means that May’s security updates and all future updates will be dependent on Windows 8.1 Update.

Today, May 13, Microsoft will issue security patches that detail flaws they are fixing and those flaws will be left unpatched for all Windows 8.1 users until you install Update 1. If you stay with Windows 8.1 and don’t install Update 1, you will face the same problem as Windows XP after Microsoft cut off security updates last month. This is nothing new. Major updates to previous editions of Windows (“Service Packs”) also had “cut-off” dates for users to apply updates. But the XP cutoff came after 13 years, not after just eight months.

Once you install Update 1, you’ll be fine. In fact, you’ll be able to take advantage of some features that should have been in Windows 8 all along.

If you don’t have a touchscreen, Update 1 intelligently goes to the desktop by default on startup or reboot and uses desktop apps by default. It also reduces the sensitivity of hot corners, highlights newly installed apps and dramatically improves the Modern UI for keyboard and mouse users. It also cuts its install size in half (from 32GB to 16GB) on SSDs, runs faster on slower hardware and drops minimum memory requirements from 2GB to 1GB of RAM.

While the results are better, we still believe it changed too much too quickly for businesses with users accustomed to using a keyboard and mouse. The update won’t solve all of our issues, but it will help make them more manageable.

Regardless of your OS, it’s important to keep the software up to date. Updates maintain protection against malware and hackers and help keep your system at peak performance. Having all your software up to date also makes it easier and faster to install new programs and equipment.

We do have some cautions about updates. Make sure you get them from the software publisher to ensure you’re getting the genuine product. Also, don’t click on “extra products,” such as other browsers that you may accidentally set as your default or that may reset your search-engine preference.

If you have any questions about the Windows 8.1 Update 1 or any other updates, contact us right away for help – [email protected] or 973-433-6676. Keeping your OS and other software up to date aids security and keeps your IT system running more smoothly.

 

XP in Context

It’s one thing to measure a lifespan in dog years. It’s another to measure it in technology years. If a 12-year-old dog is like an 84-year-old-person, then a 12-year-year-old operating system is truly older than dirt. Here’s a look at XP’s timeline.

Most of you will remember Sept. 11, 2001 forever. As grave as that day was, six weeks later, Microsoft issued the XP operating system.  We can all remember where we were and what we were doing when we heard the news of the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington and a field in western Pennsylvania.

Do you remember what technology you were using at the time?

You are likely reading this article on the Internet, which you reached either by a Wi-Fi connection to a high-speed, broadband network or by a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet.

In 2001, the Internet was nothing like it is today. You probably accessed it through a dial-up modem as a customer of AOL, CompuServe or a local provider. DSL service was in its infancy, usually only available to phone carrier customers who lived less than two miles from a switching facility. Internet access by cable TV companies was also in its infancy.

While both industries could offer Internet access, you still used the phone company for telephone service and the cable company for TV. Today, either company can provide Internet, TV and phone service with speeds and capabilities only imagined by a few scientists. And more people are using the Internet to bypass those companies for all of their services.

Think about your smartphones and tablets. Cell phones in 2001 were clunky devices that you could only use for talking. And, it didn’t take too much mobility to be outside your service area and racking up roaming charges. Your phone? It could have been a Nokia. That was the leading manufacturer in 2001.

Today, more and more people have no landlines in their homes, and many business people on the road use cellphones as their primary phones. And the cellphone itself? In addition to being a telephone, it keeps calendars and contacts and provides access to email and the Internet.

If you have a tablet, can you imagine life without it?

Some people thought X-10 was a cool way to control the lights in their houses from their desktop computer. Now, you can control lights, appliances and door locks – and answer your doorbell – with a mobile device.

Video conferencing through Skype or any number products may have done more than any technology to shrink the world.

All of this change happened since 2001, during the life of XP. Our technology has advanced by leaps and bounds. XP really did withstand the challenges of its time and more. But when you look at everything you want to do with computers and devices, your needs have outgrown the capabilities of a technology that dates back more than 12 years.

If you still have XP, you had a good run. Now, it’s time to catch up. We’re available to help you. Just call us (973-433-6676) or email us.

This article was published in Technology Update, the monthly newsletter from Sterling Rose LLC.

The Downgrade Upgrade

We can’t verify that Microsoft will make a last-minute decision to support the XP operating system. But we can tell you that nothing has shaken our belief that you should replace XP with Windows 7 because Windows 8 and 8.1 are a disaster for business. If you have Windows 8 or 8.1 Professional, you can upgrade your capabilities by “downgrading” to Windows 7 Professional. There is no charge for the software.

Downgrade rights are an end-user right that Microsoft offers for certain OEM products that meet specific technical requirements.  In practical terms, just about any computer or server from a manufacturer with a Microsoft Windows license can be eligible. You can tell from the codes on the stickers placed on your computer in the factory.

For Windows-based computers, you can take advantage of your “downgrade” right if you have Professional or Premium versions of your operating system. For example, if you have a computer with Windows 8 or 8.1 Professional, you can replace it with Windows 7 Professional.

If you are so moved, you can even go down the chain from Windows 7 Professional to Vista Business and then to XP Professional. Needless to say, we don’t recommend it.

Nor do we recommend that you install the “downgrade” from Windows 8 or 8.1 to 7 by yourself. The first reason is that you must have the actual disk for the new OS. While you can create a recovery disk when you set up a new computer (how many of you did that?), most users don’t have a readily available disk.

Second, you will need to migrate all your data and programs to the new OS. That requires having the proper systems for backing up and restoring everything. You can lose any advantage of an OS switch if you lose your data.

In addition to covering computers, the right to upgrade by downgrading applies to certain Windows servers.

Understanding all of your available options can be daunting and confusing. Call us – 973-433-6676 – or email us to set up an appointment to discuss your options to upgrade your computing capabilities by downgrading your Windows OS version.

This article was published in Technology Update, the monthly newsletter from Sterling Rose LLC.

Freebies for Non-Profits; Savings for Others

Non-profits can keep their shoestrings from fraying by taking advantage of free software offerings from a number of publishers. Even for-profit businesses can realize savings. That can be especially helpful for small and home-based businesses that operate on shoestring budgets or have little margin for extra expenses.

For legitimate, duly registered non-profits, numerous software publishers and web-based services providers offer free programs. They can cover email, application software and web-based (cloud-based) file storage and collaboration tools.

We’ve worked with two non-profit clients to help them save $2,600 and $500 per year, respectively, in software and service costs. We helped them achieve their savings by looking at the availability of free software and services from current providers or finding alternatives they could use free of charge. While the savings may not seem like a lot of money, they do free up dollars to spend on fulfilling their missions.

For one of our non-profits, GreenVision Inc., which provides jobs and learning experiences for students and adults with developmental disabilities, we could have saved them an immediate $150 per year had they been a for-profit business. That’s because one of their providers was charging them for features they didn’t use.

Paying for products or services that are neither used nor needed is one of the biggest cost drains for many small and home-based businesses. The problem can initiate when buying and setting up software or services. If you’re not sure whether you need a feature or capability, you may take it as part of the purchase price or ongoing subscription charges.

In some cases, you may be able reduce the number of licenses you need because not everyone in your company needs access to a specific web-based service. In other cases, you may be able to save money by using a subscription service that provides discounts for multiple users within the same company.

Whether you are a non-profit organization or for-profit business, we can help you sort through all of your options to find the software and services that meet your needs – and can be provided to you free or for a reduced cost. Call us – 973-433-6676 – or email us to learn how you can eliminate or reduce your software and web-based service costs.

This article was published in Technology Update, the monthly newsletter from Sterling Rose LLC.

Microsoft Matters

We use the word “matters” as a noun and a verb. In the matter of Windows XP and Windows 7 and Microsoft’s OS odyssey, migrating to 7 still makes the most sense. Despite all the chatter about Windows 8 upgrades and moving to Linux, Microsoft remains the dominant OS in the PC world for many reasons.

OS performance aside, Microsoft has done a great job of penetrating the market. Despite all the Apple devotees, the vast majority of businesses and government agencies (from national to municipal) run on Windows, and they have hundreds of millions of computers. Hundreds of millions of iOS and Android mobile devices tie themselves to the networks that tie together all those computers.

With the end of the XP operating system plainly in sight – April 8, 2014 is the day Microsoft pulls the plug – we see migrating to Windows 7 as the only viable option for our PC-based clients. Here’s why:

  • Linux is simply too cumbersome for home, SOHO, small business and mid-size business use. Yes, it has great flexibility, and because it’s open software, anybody can add great new features and upgrades at any time. But there’s a downside to all of this.Home and SOHO users may not have the technical knowledge to install, configure and use Linux software and upgrades. A few users may like the hobby aspect of playing with Linux, but if you are running a business from your home, you probably don’t want to mix business and play time.For businesses, you’ll just spend way too much time and money training and retraining employees. You need to assess how many of your employees have the ability to absorb all of the training and if you have the ability to absorb the loss of efficiency as they navigate the learning curve. For the most part, you didn’t hire them to become geeks.
  • Everybody knows Windows, especially the straightforward XP and 7 systems. In addition, many business applications from accounting to manufacturing operations are written for commonly used interfaces. That means Microsoft Windows – along with Apple and the common iOS and Android devices.
  • Better business software and upgrades will continue to be written for Windows. Why? It’s basic business: Everyone uses it, creating a lot of profit opportunities. Highly popular consumer programs and apps will continue to be written for Windows for the same reason.

If you are a small to mid-size business, we believe it’s imperative to migrate to Windows 7. Besides tax advantages for acting now (See 1040 Over and Out), you need to stay on the good side of the law – the law of supply and demand. Right now, Windows 7 computers are available, and prices are stable. But as we get closer to April 8, 2014, any increase in demand can rapidly deplete supplies; that’s a prime condition for rising prices. Even if supplies are stable, a sense of urgency can trigger a price increase. On top of that, the available IT resources to install, configure and test systems will be strained. You could wait longer for service, or it could become more expensive, especially if you lose production at an inopportune time.

Our solution? Call us (973-433-6676) or email us to assess your technology needs and develop a schedule to get your new systems up and running in a timely and efficient manner. Microsoft matters, and it really matters that you resolve any issues as quickly and effectively as possible.

This article was published in Technology Update, the monthly newsletter from Sterling Rose LLC.

When They Pull the Plug on XP

Back in 1999, everyone worried about what would happen with Y2K. Would major data systems worldwide crash when on Jan. 1, 2000, when the first digit of the new year changed from 1 to 2? Fear of the unknown greatly motivated fixes and preparation, and the moment passed without a pause. On April 8, 2014, Microsoft will pull the plug on the XP operating system, still a workhorse for many small businesses. We know exactly what will happen, and we know how to prevent problems. If you don’t heed the warnings, here’s what you’re in for.

The security of your data and any sensitive information you have stored on a computer with Internet access will be at high risk for being hacked. April, 8, 2014 will be the second Tuesday of the month – Patch Day – the day Microsoft releases upgrades and bug fixes for all of its programs. On this particular day, there will be NO updates or bug fixes for XP. To paraphrase Edgar Alan Poe’s raven, there will be XP support “nevermore.”

For hackers, the doors to XP-based computers will be wide, wide open – “evermore.” One way they’ll get into your computer is through your web browsing. All they need to do is a set up a website that entices you. It can be about anything that interests you: bargains, great utility software, etc. Once you visit the site, they can use analytics to capture information about your computer. It’s the same information your favorite websites gather to send out cookies – those bits of information they use to tailor your visits to your preferences.

The information they get will include the browser you used – and its version – as well as your computer’s IP address. They can easily sort that information to find who, for example, used IE 8 and XP to visit their site. IE 8 is the last browser that had any support for XP, so once they see that combination, it’s like finding an unlocked door.

But wait, as they say on the TV shopping networks. There’s more.

If your XP computer crashes, do you have the disks to reinstall the operating system and your critical business applications? (See Update for Security, Performance and ROI) You won’t be able to get the OS software from Microsoft, and your application software publisher likely won’t have versions old enough to support XP.

The latter point is simple business. Programmers and publishers don’t make any money from old stuff sitting on an electronic shelf. Like everyone else, they need to move on to newer and more robust products. So, finding the software you need may be more difficult than finding a tube for an old table radio.

Even if you find the software, you’ll need to find someone who knows how to work with the old software and all of it quirks. Newly trained technicians likely haven’t worked with XP and may not understand its evolution to be able to fix your problems. On the other hand, someone who can support your XP systems will hold the advantage in supply and demand. The fewer people who have the knowledge you require will be able to charge more, and you could quickly lose any economic benefit you gained from holding on to old technology.

If you insist on keeping your XP systems, are there work-arounds? Yes, but they’re detours from the path of operating and cost efficiency. We can, for example, isolate XP computers from the Internet. That will help keep them safe and free to access files and applications on an internal network. However, the user – and the business – will lose functionality.

What’s the best way to stay plugged in when Microsoft pulls the XP plug? We have advised our clients – and will continue to advise them – to migrate to the Windows 7 operating system.  We can’t beat this drum loud enough or long enough. Windows 7 will enable your business’ users to continue with a familiar interface and a system that should still be around for a long time (for technology). Large corporate users, which we can define as any company large enough to have a “Fortune” designation, have not moved to Windows 8. They are staying with Windows 7, and that means Microsoft will continue to support them with updates and bug fixes, and programmers and publishers will continue to develop new and improved business apps. It’s where the money is.

With the announcement that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is stepping down, we expect Windows 7 to be a bellwether OS until the company sorts out its management issues and decides its technology direction.

You still have seven months to plan and budget for your escape from XP. We can help you avoid the XP jail. Call us (973-433-6676) or email us to discuss your best options.

Another Reason to Avoid Windows 8

An ominous security issue with Windows 8 was raised recently by The Motley Fool. Those of us who follow the investor-targeted newsletter know they look below the surface when giving their advice. Thus, it was no surprise to us to read that the German government, which supports the world’s fourth largest economy, said that Windows 8 is unsafe due a backdoor called the Trusted Platform Module. While the article discusses Windows 8 alternatives from a business point of view, there are some good technology underpinnings to their contention. You can read it here. Call us – 973-433-6676 – or email us to discuss your alternatives Windows 8 for life after Windows XP

This article was published in Technology Update, the monthly newsletter from Sterling Rose LLC.

Preparing for the End of Windows XP and Office 2003 Support

Support for Windows XP SP3 and Office 2003 ends on April 8th, 2014. Are
you ready? After support ends, there will be no new security updates,
non-security hotfixes, free or paid assisted support options, or online
technical content updates.

If you continue to run Windows XP SP3 and Office 2003 in your environment after
April 8, 2014, you are exposing your company to potential security risks, as
unsupported and unpatched environments are vulnerable to security threats.
Further, independent software vendors (ISVs) and hardware manufacturers are
less likely to support new versions of applications on Windows XP as we near
the retirement date.

For many, migration efforts are well underway to get current. For those that
require additional assistance, Microsoft offers in-depth technical resources,
tools, and expert guidance to ease the deployment process. To learn more about
migration and deployment programs, and to explore solutions if your current
migration plans extend beyond April 8th 2014, please contact your
Microsoft Support Professional. We are dedicated to helping you remain secure
and are here to assist you every step of the way.

Visit the Windows XP SP3 and Office 2003 end of support site
for more information on resources available to help with your migration.

For additional insights on the security risks of running on older operating
systems, see the Microsoft Security Blog on Operating System Infection Rates.