Computers In A Time Of Crisis
I hope everyone is safe, healthy, and gainfully employed. These are incredibly stressful times.
This newsletter will discuss the ongoing opportunity to upgrade Windows 7 (and 8/8.1) computers to Windows 10, the various benefits of a regular tune-up as well as the importance of backing up both data and system.
Windows 7 End Of Support
Windows 7 was a workhorse operating system for Microsoft, and is objectively superior to its Windows 8/8.1 successors. Windows 10, however, is solid and Microsoft is actively building its ecosystem around it. The current end-of-support date for Windows 7 of January 14, 2020, however, has come and gone. Your Windows 7 computer will no longer receive any patches or bug-fixes.
This doesn't mean that your Windows 7 computer will stop working any time soon. What it does mean is that it will begin a gradual decline in security and proper functioning (Windows XP owners know exactly what I'm talking about!). Most Windows 7 computers are still eligible, however, for a Windows 10 update assuming the hardware is supported.
PC Publican can assess whether your Windows 7 computer is a candidate for a Windows 10 upgrade, can install Windows 10, and can update key components of the system for optimal use post-install.
Computer Tune-Up
I'm often asked by clients if they should bring their computers in for regular maintenance. Computers benefit from a regular assessment of protection and clean-up tools as well as lingering updates of Windows and "helper" applications (e.g. Adobe Flash). Also, a regular check of disk drive health is essential to prevent data loss or corruption.
Another important reason for periodic check-ups is to clean up incipient malware infections and to assess the state of installed malware prevention software. Finally, a tune-up removes unneeded programs that consume system resources, including the "bloatware" that comes installed on nearly all new computers.
PC Publican provides excellent turn-around time on basic computer maintenance at reasonable prices. Contact us to determine if a "tune-up" is right for you.
Data & System Backups
I can't stress enough the importance of backing up your computer. Even if you don't think you have important data, if your hard drive crashes or is encrypted by ransomware you'll need a backup image of your system for recovery.
The most effective backup plans include both on-site (e.g. external hard drive or network attached storage) and off-site (e.g. Dropbox, Google Drive) copies of data. Storage, both physical and cloud, is cheap. A 2TB external drive costs about $60, and good free backup software is available for both home and business use. Cloud services like Dropbox are less than $10/month, while Google Drive offers 200GB for $3/month. Both offer free tiers for limited storage.
PC Publican can help with all phases of backup setup: purchase, installation, configuration, and monitoring. Please call us to discuss the various options.
Reviews & Referrals
Finally, if you have used our services in the past and were satisfied, please leave a review on Google and/or Yelp. If you weren't happy please call, e-mail, or text and let us know how we can do better.
Recommended Products
Below are links to products I frequently use and recommend:
Antivirus & Anti-Malware
External Hard Drives
Wireless Keyboard/Mouse
Wireless Routers/Mesh
Cloud Storage Providers
DNS Providers
VPN Services
Computers
Business E-Mail
Domain & Web Hosting
Internet Of Things/Smart Home
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