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Internet Access & Wi-Fi – What you need to know!

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There are a few aspects to internet access that are helpful to understand. First, you have the internet as a service which is supplied by an internet service provider such as Comcast or Brightspeed.  Next, you have your network equipment which includes at least a modem and may or may not be provided by your Internet Service provider (ISP).  Lastly, you have the equipment that you are connecting to the internet which can include wired or wireless devices such as computers, cell phones, or tablets. It can be helpful to know how all of this works together especially if you encounter a problem and don’t know where to start.

Without an ISP or Internet Service provider you can still connect your devices to one another, however you won’t be able to connect to the World Wide Web, access websites or perform Internet-dependent tasks such as checking your email. In our local area, Comcast and BrightSpeed (formerly Centurylink) are the most common home internet providers though they are not the only options. When choosing an internet provider, you should first find out what is available in your area. Once you know what is available you can compare the prices of the different plans as well as the internet speeds that are being offered. Some internet providers will require you to commit to a contract or a certain period of service length to quality for special pricing.

Once you choose an ISP they will typically ask you if you would like to rent their equipment or purchase your own. Most internet providers charge a rental fee for equipment, so it is important to decide ahead of time which option is right for you. If you decide to purchase and supply your own equipment, you will pay more in up front costs and save more save on monthly fees in the long term. If you buy your own equipment you will have more options available to you which may be important to you if you are planning to utilize special features ( this won’t apply to most users). If you purchase your own equipment you will want to ensure that your device is compatible with both your service provider and the supports the speeds that your plan provides.

Internet access doesn’t automatically mean Wi-Fi.  Most internet modems have built-in Wi-Fi support, but some provide wired access only. Many modems that do provide Wi-Fi don’t have very strong antennas, if you find that the wireless internet signal is weak you can upgrade your equipment or connect a router or repeater to extend wireless access. Modern modems and routers may support multiple network bands including 2.4 Ghz, 5 Ghz and Wifi 6. Your modem or router and the equipment that you are connecting to the internet need to have support for the network band you are trying to connect to. Older devices won’t have support for Wifi 6 and many devices such as smart devices still require 2.4Ghz networks. This may be in part due to the fact that despite supporting lower network speeds the range and ability to penetrate walls is the greatest with a 2.4 Ghz network.

So what can you do if you are experiencing a problem with your network or wifi access? First, keep in mind that network or wifi access does not automatically mean that you have internet access. To troubleshoot your issue you should first restart your modem by disconnecting power to the modem, waiting 30 seconds, and reconnecting power. Your modem can take up to 5 minutes to reboot. If you still don’t have internet access test other devices to see if one of your devices is not connected or all of them. If you only have one device to test with or if none of your devices are functioning on the internet you may be experiencing an internet outage or equipment failure. If you are experiencing issues with only one device it may be your device that is having a hardware or software conflict. Take caution when troubleshooting internet issues when you know your device is working on other networks.

If you are having internet issues and suspect that your computer is the problem, we can perform diagnostics in our shop to narrow down where your issue is coming from. Sometimes repairing your modem or repairing your incoming line is required but other times your device may be having hardware issues.

Fake Virus Warning

Tech Support Scams –How to spot them and handle them!

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There are various ways that scammers can attempt to trick unsuspecting users into believing that they need to take action to resolve a matter that is not occurring. Being aware of the various scams that are in existence can help you prevent yourself from becoming a victim. The most common way tech support scams can occur is from a pop-up on your computer, links accessed from websites, social media, private messages, email, text messages, or unsolicited phone calls.

Pop-Up Scams

You can be on almost any website when suddenly your entire screen is taken over.  You may find yourself confronted with a blue screen and unexpected notice that there is a problem with your device. The fake error message displayed is what is considered a “tech support scam”. The false message is usually accompanied by blaring audio which attempts to convince users that there is an issue that requires them to contact “Microsoft” and to not restart your computer.

All these techniques are meant to persuade you to call the specified tech support number. In contrast, the real error messages in Windows never ask you to call a tech support number. If you do reach out to the phone number on your screen you will be reaching scammers (not Microsoft) who will instruct you to download software to your device so that they can remotely connect to you and control your device. This is VERY dangerous. Once they are connected to you, they may steal your personal information and passwords or make attempts to extort money from you. They may go so far as to lock you out of your own device until you pay their ransom.

WHAT TO DO:

Whatever you do, do NOT call the phone number on your screen. The scammer’s goal will be to gain access to your computer, your financial institution, or both. Instead, if you are on a Windows PC, you should first attempt to open your task manager to close your web browser. To do this hold down the CTRL (control)+ ALT keys found on the far-left side of your keyboard. While holding them down also press the ESC (escape) key. This will open Task Manager which will give you the ability to select your web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, etc.) and then click on END TASK. Once this is done your browser will close and the false error will disappear. If this does not work, you may need to force restart your computer (hold down the power button until it shuts off). Once you re-open your web browser DO NOT CLICK RESTORE PAGES!

Phone Scams

In the classic cold-call scenario, users receive an unsolicited phone call from someone claiming to be from a company they are not. Frequently they will portray themselves to either be from Microsoft’s support team or Amazon. Sometimes users receive calls that are supposedly from the bank or credit card company. Typically, the callers will offer to help solve your computer “problems” or to alert you of fake fraudulent activity on your account.  To appear more trustworthy, scammers may use personal information obtained from public sources such as your name and address. Once they have you convinced, they may persuade you to allow them to connect to your device or to provide additional personal information.

If you receive an unsolicited call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft Support, hang up. Microsoft does not make these kinds of calls. Think about it this way, does the plumber call you to tell you your pipes are leaking? No, they don’t. They don’t know what is going on in your house and Microsoft won’t call you about what is going on in your computer either.

What to do:

If you are contacted on the phone regarding an unexpected charge to an account or card, do not give out any personal information. Should you ever receive an unsolicited phone call for computer support, you can simply disconnect from the call. When you continue a conversation with the scammers, they will make attempts to convince you that they are legitimate, when in fact they are not. Users who have already provided access to their devices to suspected scammers should consider having their computer cleaned up by a local professional they trust. If you are personally having a computer cleaned after being scammed, let the professionals who are helping you know that someone unauthorized had access to your device and ask them to remove any remote access software that may still be installed. Moving forward, you can avoid the situation by only dealing with professionals that you trust and avoid any unsolicited tech support phone calls. Victims may want to consider reporting the scam to local law enforcement. Be aware that while they can trace phone numbers often there is little that can be done since criminals often use disposable mobile phones and spoofed or stolen phone numbers.

TEXT/EMAIL Scams

Users should be wary of emails and text messages that are received, especially those that arrive unsolicited. If you receive a text message or email that includes a link outside of the email you should not use the link. Instead, if you suspect that the email or message is legitimate you should contact the sender directly by visiting their website or calling them on a phone number that is listed on your account statement. Often scam text messages or emails will send users to another website in an effort to steal personal information.  A common email scam involves fake antivirus renewals from well-known companies like Norton or McAfee. Users can tell that the emails are not legitimate by checking the sender’s full email address. The name may say “Norton” for example but would then list an email address that would not be associated with Norton such as a Yahoo or Gmail address.

What to do:

Users who receive an email or text message that is suspected to not be legitimate can delete the message or email. The message or email can also be reported as spam through the email or messaging menus. There is little that you can do to avoid these situations. Receiving junk or spam messages or emails is a lot like receiving junk mail in your home mailbox, even if you change it to something else you will ultimately find yourself receiving some form of spam or junk mail. The best thing you can do is know how to properly handle it when it does arrive.

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Windows 10 Support Ends in 2025

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It’s hard to believe that Windows 10 will be 10 years old next July. Microsoft has announced that 22H2 will be the final version of Windows 10. Microsoft will continue to provide critical security updates monthly to devices that have the latest (22H2) version until the scheduled end-of-life date of October 14th, 2025. Once this date is reached critical updates will cease leaving devices connected to the internet vulnerable to potential threats.

What can you do when Windows 10 support ends?

Once support for Windows 10 ends, users can choose to upgrade to a supported OS such as Windows 11, and switch platforms to Mac OS, Linux, or Chrome OS. Alternatively, users can opt into enrolling their up-to-date Windows 10 devices into the extended service update program which includes security and critical updates only. In the past, the extended service update program also known as ESU was a paid program that was geared towards organizations. With the Windows 10 ESU program individuals can take advantage of the extended support updates by paying an annual fee. There is no word from Microsoft on what they will charge but historically they have offered ESU plans at a tiered rate starting at $50 for the first year and reaching $200 for the third and final support year. With these plans reaching such high prices by the second and third years for most users it probably makes more sense to invest in upgrading or replacing devices to support Windows 11 before the software’s end of life is reached in October 2025.

Is your PC compatible with Windows 11?

Not all devices that are compatible with Windows 10 will support Windows 11’s hardware and security requirements. If your device is compatible with Windows 11, you will be asked to upgrade your computer to the new OS during Windows updates. If you are not being prompted to upgrade or if you would like to find out if your device is supported and what is needed to meet system requirements for Windows 11 you can download Microsoft’s PC Health Check application by visiting https://aka.ms/GetPCHealthCheckApp from a web browser on a Windows device. Most computers over 3-4 years old will likely not support the operating system without hardware upgrades as well as software updates.

How long will Windows 11 be supported?

Windows 11 was released in October of 2021 and is currently on its third version 23H2. The typical life-cycle of most software is at least 10 years of mainstream support for the latest version of the OS. Looking back at prior Windows operating systems, Windows XP had 3 service packs and was in support for a total of 12 years, Windows 7 was supported for 10 years and now Windows 10 will follow suit. While there is no definitive date of when Windows 11 support will end, if users continue to keep their devices up to date they can expect that support will continue through 2031.

If you aren’t sure if your computer is compatible with Windows 11 we can perform diagnostics on your device to check your hardware and provide you with a recommendation. Some Windows 10 computers can be upgraded to support Windows 11 but not all devices are worth upgrading.  At Jester’s Computers, we build custom desktop PCs that are designed to meet your personal needs with quality, performance, and compatibility in mind. 

Computer-Diagnostics

Maintaining your PC could save its “life”

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Let’s be honest, maintaining your computer is probably the furthest thing from your mind until something goes wrong. Similar to performing maintenance on a vehicle, having yearly maintenance done on your computer can help detect hardware problems, resolve security issues  and increase performance. Over time with and with use, Computers can become bogged down with unwanted software, pop-ups, and error messages. These issues can often be resolved without needing to purchase a new computer. We’ve included information about a few of the things that are recommended for you to maintain and are often included when having regular maintenance done at a computer repair shop.

Software which may or may not not have been installed intentionally often hinder performance by being configured to always run at startup or to run in the background unnecessarily. Over time you may accumulate software that you no longer use or that becomes out of date and should be updated. Identifying and removing software that is malicious can resolve slowness and unwanted pop-ups or notifications. Sometimes these programs can easily be uninstalled but other times it may take a skilled technician to locate and remove harmful software. To cut down on unwanted software, avoid using the software you don’t need, remove no longer needed software, and be careful when downloading software from third-party websites. Sometimes download buttons can really be advertisements that have nothing to do with what you are trying to download.

Updates are important to keep your device running smoothly. They help to ensure that any security risks that have been found and resolved are applied to your device. If your programs are out of date they may not function properly and sometimes they can even negatively affect the performance of your computer. Many users dislike updates because the result can sometimes include change however keeping your device vulnerable can end up much worse. Most often updates don’t provide many changes especially if they are done regularly. Both your system’s operating system and individual software should be updated as needed.

Hardware, or your device’s physical equipment, can wear out over time. Most commonly mechanical (non-solid-state) hard drives (where all your personal data is stored) fail after 5-7 years but that doesn’t mean they can’t and won’t fail sooner. When you have your computer maintained, good technicians will check your hard drive to see if there are any signs that your hard drive is failing and if necessary, recommend a replacement before any data is lost. An even better technician will be honest with you about whether or not its worth replacing the hard drive or the entire computer altogether. Computers can also overheat and should be blown out inside to remove dust and dirt buildup that could cause hardware to fail prematurely. If you have pets or are using your computer in a dusty or moist environment you should utilize canned air to spray out any dust lodged in the CPU fan. Never use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust from a computer as it generates static electricity and can fry your device.

Temporary files can include files you opened but did not save, old update files that no longer have a use, and temporary files created while browsing the web. None of the aforementioned include your personal data files and are simply taking up storage space on your hard drive. Data files won’t slow your computer down but they do take up storage space and when a hard drive becomes too full the operating system will stop functioning properly and the device will become unusable until space is recovered. Temporary files in your web browser can also cause users to have issues when logging into websites, your web browser cache can be cleared to resolve this but should only be done if you exhausted other options as you will be logged out of all websites in the process.

Registry errors can be caused when you install and then uninstall a program or perform software updates. Since both happen regularly, these errors are unavoidable. You may not even notice that there is a problem but once the errors are resolved, background operations can run more smoothly resulting in a better user experience. Even with yearly maintenance most computers we see accumulate over a thousand or more registry errors, just another example of why regular maintenance is a good idea. Some automated programs will and can take care of the registry errors but can sometimes cause issues so users should always do thorough research if utilizing a registry cleaner yourself.

Malicious software that is installed on your device may not be obvious to the average user. While viruses and potentially unwanted programs can appear unexpectedly on your computer, often users unknowingly allow them in. An active antivirus no matter how good, won’t always prevent a user from installing software that could have legitimate purposes but that most would consider an unwanted or malicious program. These programs can sometimes be removed by using malware removal software but most often users can just uninstall the programs from the normal add/remove programs or apps and feature screen from within settings. To access this screen you can right-click on your start button and then click on apps and features from the top of the menu screen.

Pop-ups, errors & conflicts that you encounter can often be resolved by regular maintenance as well. Investigating these problems can sometimes lead to prevent of a potentially bigger issue. Often, we remember how simple computers used to be while disregarding just how frequently we use and rely on our devices today this has become even more obvious since the start of the pandemic. Since most of the things we use computers for also incorporate using the internet, maintenance is even more vital than it was in the past. If you are experiencing ongoing issues with your machine you can consider whether or not it would be better to replace your device or invest in having it maintained and upgraded.

 

Technology Scams: How you can protect yourself.

Technology Scams: How you can protect yourself.

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Scammers are aware that technology can be overwhelming and sometimes confusing to the average user. Unfortunately, they take full advantage of this and often pray on those who don’t use technology frequently enough to catch on to their sneaky tactics. Technology scams can happen in different ways but the most common are through emails, social media, and what I consider to be “bad advertisements” or bad links found on the internet. Knowledge is power! Continue reading to learn more about the different types of scams and how you can spot them so that you don’t fall victim.

Email Scams often come in the form of phishing or presenting information as if they are a company or organization when they are not. An example of this would be if you received an email receipt from “Amazon” for a product you know you didn’t purchase. The idea behind this type of email is to get you to click on a link somewhere in the email to “log in to your account” when really the link that you click on will be for a website that might LOOK like Amazon but isn’t. This happens most frequently for big-name companies that scammers know many users would actually do business with making the emails more believable. There are a few things that you can do to point out that these emails are not coming from who they say they are. First, check the actual email address, not the “name”, the address. Sometimes you will need to hover over the name for example, “Amazon customer service” to see the actual email address which should be from an amazon.com email address. If the email address revealed is from something else like a gmail.com address or anything else then it’s not legitimate and the email should be ignored and deleted.

Social Media Scams typically arise when you receive a message or friend request from someone that you are already Facebook Friends with. Scammers will sometimes concoct a story either asking for help in some way or telling you about some special government assistance or way to get financial support. You should avoid filling out any forms with your personal information from a social media link or message, often the goal is to gain and sell your personal information. Duplicate friend requests, especially if you are already Facebook friends with the person, could be from a scammer who has infiltrated the original Facebook account, duplicated it, and is now using a new account to impersonate the user for malicious purposes. If you receive a suspicious message or friend request, you should try to reach out to the person in some other way to ask them if they created the new account and to let them know that their account might be compromised. One way you can protect your social media account is to set up additional security such as two-step verification which will require an additional code each time you log in from a new device.

Bad Links which I like to call “bad advertisements” are the leading way in which people have their devices compromised.  I call them bad advertisements because often they come in from news articles or social media links. When you end up on a page with a bad link you might have your entire screen taken over demanding that you call Microsoft or another “support number” to have your device unlocked. The problem is this is not real and can be closed by accessing your task manager and forcing the application you are using to close. If you follow the directions on the screen or listen to what the voice is saying you will let a scammer into your computer who will either try to access your bank accounts, steal personal data or both. You should never believe a pop-up on your computer if it tells you not to shut it down or restart and to call a number instead, they are telling you that because if you do restart your computer it might get rid of their fake ad and resolve your problem. If you end up having an issue like this you can access task manager by pressing Control+Shift+Escape on the left side of your keyboard at the same time. From Task Manager you can find and click on the web browser you are using and then click on end task to close the browser. If you relaunch the browser, make sure you don’t click on “reload pages” or you will end up right back on the same screen. If you go back to the same website and the issue occurs again, the website you visited may be infected and you should avoid it until they have had a chance to clean and resolve their website issues.

Backing up: Best Practices

Backing up: Best Practices

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By Aysë Stenabaugh

First things first, if you are storing your important data in only one storage location, your data is 100% at risk. The golden rule is to always have your important data in two places. Keeping this in mind, if one storage medium fails or is compromised, having a second backup gives you time to replace the failed device with minimal downtime and no data loss.

With so many different backup options available users can find themselves overwhelmed and confused as to which options are the best. No matter which option you choose; you will want to make sure that whatever data is most important to you is being stored in both places. One option involves storing your backup on a physical storage medium which can include CD’s or DVD’s, flash drives or an external hard drive. Another common and increasingly popular method is Cloud storage. There are advantages and disadvantages to either option with some users opting to use both physical and cloud storage options together. Read on to discover what solutions might work best for you.

Physical Backups can include a variety of storage mediums. Using CD’S or DVD’s for data backup is not ideal since they can be damaged easily if not stored properly and, compared to a flash drive they take up a lot more space while having less capacity. Flash drives have gotten less expensive and can be a convenient and affordable option to backup data. Users should use caution though, flash drives can and do fail and they can break especially when being transported which often makes them better for short-term data storage.

This leaves External hard drives as the recommended long-term physical storage medium. If setup properly, you can use software to back up your computer on a set schedule. Some backup software can even create a system image which will back up your entire computer including programs and files for easy restoration. If you are manually storing your data files its important to verify that you are backing up all of the data that is important to you. Some program data such as saved bookmarks and passwords may not be backed up by a standard file backup.

Users will find two options for external hard drives: Mechanical HDD’s or SSD’s. Mechanical HDDs are still most common for external drives, but SSD external drives are decreasing in price and are becoming more affordable. Still, SSD’s wear out based on the amount of data that is stored over time so while they are a good bit faster mechanical HDDs are typically a better option. As with ANY physical storage medium, they aren’t perfect, they have a life expectancy. Now is where we circle back to keep your data stored in two places. If one storage medium fails, you can replace it before you experience any data loss.

Cloud Storage can be a great option to access your personal data files on the go or across multiple devices. As opposed to a physical storage media backup option which you pay for once and use until your device fails, Cloud storage typically involves a monthly or yearly subscription which can vary in cost depending upon the provider and the amount of storage used. Some examples of Cloud storage providers include OneDrive, iCloud, Google Drive and Dropbox. Typically cloud storage backups are limited and allow users to backup specific folders. The cloud storage data then is either synced to both the device and the cloud or stored in the cloud for future use. When setting up cloud storage it’s important to ensure that if you do have enough storage space or don’t plan to have online access that your data is being saved to your device and not just to the cloud. Maintaining access to your cloud storage accounts are crucial especially if your data is not stored on your device, if that is the case users can find themselves without access to their data if they lose access to their account. There are additional cloud backup options such as Carbonite or Backblaze which provide more thorough backups. It is important to ensure that what you believe is being backed up is being stored securely.

Using both physical and cloud storage can be a wise decision. If your data is crucial to you, having both can protect you from the downsides of either. In the event your physical storage media fails or is inaccessible to you, you have cloud storage. Should you lose access to your online account you can rely on your physical storage to regain quick access to important data.

Only you can know what the best storage solution for you is. For some web-based users you might find that you personally don’t require a backup solution at all!

software

Choosing the Right Word Processor 

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Several options are available to users who would like to create and edit documents and spreadsheets etc. While Microsoft Office might be the most obvious choice, it’s not the only choice. There are a few free and paid options for both online and offline use. Let’s get into what some of these choices are and what some of the differences are between them.  

Microsoft Office has a little-known limited free option that is available in addition to the Office 365  Subscription and one-Ɵme purchase of Office suites. If you’d like to use the Free web version of Office,  you’ll need to visit www.office.com and log in with a free Microsoft account. From there you will be able to access limited web versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. All Microsoft accounts receive  5GB of free OneDrive (cloud storage) while new accounts may receive an additional storage bonus that will eventually expire. If you’re using the free web version of Office, you are always using the OneDrive cloud storage, but you do have the ability to download the document either in an editable office format or in a PDF.  

Office 365 is offered as a monthly or yearly subscription and provides a single user with access to the latest version of the entire offline Office suite which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote,  Outlook, Publisher, and Access on up to 5 devices simultaneously. In addition to several other perks, 365  subscribers get access to 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage which can be configured to backup files on your computer’s Desktop, Pictures, and Documents folders, and even automatically backup photos on your  Cell phone. Single users can expect to pay $7 a month or $70 a year. For those with multiple family members that can use Office 365, the Family plan may be an excellent option to provide up to six different users with each user having their own individual Microsoft account and separate 1 TB OneDrive storage. Office 365 Family plans are currently $10 a month or $100 yearly.  

If you’d prefer a standalone offline version of the Microsoft Office suite, then Office Home and Student  2021 or Office Home and Business 2021 might better suit your needs. Home and Student offers the offline 2021 versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint whereas Home and Business also includes Outlook  2021. Office 2021 is only good for ONE single device and costs $150 for Home and Student and $250 for  Home and Business.  

Corel’s WordPerfect Office Standard 2021 is an alternative offline word processing suite that includes  WordPerfect, Quatro Pro (for spreadsheets), Presentations, and WordPerfect Lightning (like Publisher).  Unlike Microsoft Office, Word Perfect is compatible with both Microsoft Office file types and WPS (WordPerfect) documents which makes this a good option for users who already have Word Perfect files saved. The regular price for WordPerfect Office is $250 but can often be found on sale for less from  Corel’s website.  

LibreOffice and OpenOffice are 100% open-source (free) offline Office suite alternaƟves that include  Writer, Calc (for spreadsheets), Impress (for presentations), Draw (to create 2D and 3D diagrams and illustrations), Base (for databases), and Math (for creating mathematical equations). LibreOffice also  

includes a program called Charts. Libre Office and Open Office are compatible with Microsoft Office file types and will open both new and old office file formats. However, OpenOffice has an older look and feel and will only save new files in the old Microsoft Office file formats or open document (.ODF file) formats. 

LibreOffice and OpenOffice are easy to use and are the best recommendations for users who want to save money and don’t have any special software requirements or specific compatibility needs.  

Google has its own free Online Word Processing Suite which includes Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets.  With a free Google account users can visit docs.google.com to create and edit new Word documents.  Like Microsoft’s web office, Google Docs utilizes cloud storage. Free users receive 15GB of cloud storage which is also shared storage with Google Photos and your email. Google Docs is a great free opƟon for users who already have a Google account with easy mobile access, especially on Android mobile devices. 

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Web Browser Support Ending

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To maximize security and performance it is recommended to always use an operating system that is supported – meaning that your device will continue to get important updates. Last month’s article focused on the end of support for Windows 8.1, this month a new challenge arises for users who have yet to migrate to Windows 10 or 11. In the next few weeks, Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users will no longer be able to use Google Chrome or Edge.

Lack of support for Chrome and Edge on these platforms will mean that users can no longer browse the web safely. To be clear, it was already not very safe for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users to be online. Now these web browsers will no longer send updates to unsupported operating systems which leaves them vulnerable to new threats. Not only that, but many secure websites require up-to-date web browsers to function and provide a secure connection.

Many websites require a secure connection. Shopping websites and banks are prime examples These websites have layers of security that your up-to-date web browser can communicate with to keep your password and personal data safe. When a computer’s operating system and web browser are no longer up to date the security certificates required for these websites to operate can no longer function as expected.

For now, there are some options for users on older operating systems to continue to access the internet. Firefox has yet to announce dropping support for Windows 7 and 8.1 devices despite having already extended support for Windows 7 once before. While Mozilla has not yet announced their end-of-life support for Firefox it is rumored that they will drop Windows 7 32-bit support before they end support for 64-bit versions of Windows 7. The truth is that Firefox and any other remaining browsers that are supporting Windows 7 could cease to work at any time.

Some Windows 7 and Windows 8 users may be able to upgrade their devices to Windows 10 if they meet the minimum system requirements. Windows 10 will continue to be supported until at least the fall of 2025 which can buy users some time before shopping for new computers. Windows 11 has more strict hardware requirements than Windows 10 does, many devices compatible with Windows 10 won’t be compatible with Windows 11 and will need to be replaced in 2025 unless Microsoft extends support further which they have done in the past with Windows 7.

In the end if nothing else this should be the final push for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users to make a decision on how to proceed in order to safe use the internet. If you find yourself weighing out your options of upgrading your PC versus purchasing a new one it may be beneficial to contact a trusted friend or computer support specialist to help you make the right decision. As challenging as users may find it to be to change with technology it is often for the better. With supported operating systems comes the ability to use supported hardware and software which can minimize system conflicts and increase device support.

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Say goodbye to Windows 8

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Windows 8 made its debut in October 2012, making the software over a decade old. Users can reasonably expect most software to be supported by manufacturers for no more than 10 years. The Windows 8 operating system (OS) is no exception. Support for the first version of the OS ended in January 2016. Windows 8.1 has continued to be supported by Microsoft, however, that support will end as of January 2023.

What does this mean? While software support will end for the OS soon, users who are running Windows 8 should consider whether they should upgrade to a new operating system or replace their device. Your device will not just stop working. You will be able to continue using the operating system, however, security vulnerabilities, known bugs, and performance issues will no longer be patched and resolved by Microsoft. This also means that if you use other software or hardware with a Windows 8 computer currently, you will have increasingly limited support options and some companies may decline to offer any support at all.

Is it safe to continue using Windows 8? Once Microsoft stops delivering updates to Windows 8 users that are connected to the internet will potentially be vulnerable. Even if you have a good antivirus, there is the potential risk that your system could be infiltrated. If you use your computer offline and do not connect to the internet at all then you can continue to use Windows 8 for offline software. If you connect your device to the internet at any point after the end-of-life support for Windows 8 you could be putting your personal data and your device at risk.

How will continuing to use Windows 8 affect me? Users who continue using Windows 8 when there is no longer any support may find that the hardware/software companies that would normally resolve the issue will not. If you must replace hardware you use with your device, for example, a printer, drivers that are required to communicate with your computer are unlikely to be available for unsupported operating systems. Older hardware compatible with your devices will become more difficult to acquire and parts availability will dwindle. If you continue to use your device without being connected to the internet you can expect to get as much life out of your device as you can until you run into unresolvable issues.

Can your computer be upgraded? If your computer supports Windows 8, chances are your computer can also support Windows 10. In some cases, a Windows 8 machine can be upgraded to Windows 10 without the user needing to re-install any software or losing any data. If the upgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 10 fails, you can consider a fresh installation of Windows 10 on your device. Since Windows 10 was a free upgrade for Windows 7 and Windows 8 users, you will not need to purchase a product key for Windows 10 if your device was activated prior to the installation of your updated OS. You may want to make some additional system upgrades such as an upgraded hard drive or increased ram to get better performance if you feel that the machine is slow after upgrading to the new OS. In some cases, it may be best to consider replacing your machine. If you have a slower processor or your machine is more than 10 years old, you may be better off investing in a replacement device.

Should I buy a new computer? If you are considering replacing your machine, you will want to ensure that your new device is Windows 11 compatible. There are still some new Windows 10 devices that are available for sale that may not meet the minimum system requirements to run Windows 11. If your system is not Windows 11 compatible you will find yourself in the same situation towards the end of 2025 when Microsoft plans to discontinue support for Windows 10. If you aren’t sure about your own personal needs and you are planning to purchase a new computer that has or supports Windows 11, consider consulting with a friend or computer support expert who can provide personalized advice.

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Computer Buying Tips

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It is not unusual for everyday users to find themselves overwhelmed with varying computer system options. Shopping to buy a new computer can be stressful but it doesn’t have to be. Often there is little information provided to help users determine which devices will best meet their needs. Below are some key points that users can consider when deciding which computers will provide the best value.

Windows 11 Compatibility is an important consideration when purchasing any Windows PC. While most new computers sold today should be Windows 11 compatible, some devices still being sold may have been produced prior to the announcement of security requirements that leaves many Windows 10 devices unable to run the new Operating System securely. To learn more about the hardware requirements for Windows 11 you can visit www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-11-specifications

The best-value computers are almost never the least expensive ones available. If the price is very good, there is a chance that the quality of the hardware inside of the device is also not to the standard of more expensive devices. If you are on a budget, be mindful of your expectations in terms of device performance and overall device life expectancy. For example, at times the cheaper computers found at some big box stores are manufactured with lower-quality hardware which is how they are sometimes able to offer seemingly the same products for such a discounted price. This may be a good deal if you are on a strict budget however, buyers should consider that they might not get as much life out of some of these devices in comparison to devices that are of higher quality. This is not always true which is why having some knowledge of what you want and what you need are important if you want to make the most of your purchase. The reverse can also be true, most users who aren’t doing intense gaming or have special technology needs should be able to find either a laptop or desktop computer that is of reasonable quality and performance for between $500-$1000. There are always exceptions, but users can typically expect the average laptop or all-in-one computer to last between 3-5 years before needing major repairs or needing to be replaced. Good quality desktop computers that are maintained and retain good airflow often last 5-7 years or more before needing to be replaced.

Warranties for higher-end devices and laptops (when available for a reasonable price) are a good idea if you want to protect your investment. If considering a warranty, take time to research the company offering the service. There are several different types of warranties that are available, some will repair your device, and others will replace your device for the original purchase price. New pre-build devices will come with a one-year warranty through the manufacturer unless otherwise stated. Traditionally the manufacturer’s warranty will be in effect during the first year even if you have an extended warranty but that can vary as can coverage for accidental damage. To ensure that you warranty is honored keep your original receipt and identifying information for your device such as the serial number. Most warranties require you to mail your device in for repair service but some third-party companies may have local repair centers for drop-off service. Some even offer on-site repair as a premium option.

Knowing the Minimum System Requirements for any software you wish you run on your computer is necessary to ensure the performance of your device is adequate. Although the Minimum system requirements for Windows 10 and 11 may be lower, ideally users should look for devices with a Quad-Core Processor (CPU), 8 GB of memory (RAM) and a hard drive with enough storage space for your personal needs. A solid-state hard drive is recommended for the best performance. Users should make sure devices have features such as wifi, Bluetooth, touch-screen, webcam, cd/dvd drive, card reader, graphics cards (for gaming and advanced graphics applications) and other special hardware that may not be included with all devices.

Software such as Microsoft Office is almost never included with a new computer purchase. If Office or additional software is offered with a new computer, the information will be clearly stated and should not be otherwise assumed. Windows 10 and Windows 11 have built-in virus protection but users, myself included, often opt for third-party virus protection software that typically provides a more comprehensive security solution than offered within the Operating System. Often pre-built new computers will come with unwanted bloatware or trial software. This software can slow your system down and should be uninstalled to minimize issues and maximize performance. Those who build their own computer or purchase a custom-built computer from a local or online reseller will find that just the advertised operating system is typically installed which means no pre-installed junk.

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