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By: Aysë Stenabaugh

We rarely come across people who are excited about change when it comes to computer software. So, it’s no easy task telling customers that they have no choice but to upgrade their software. Sometimes the reason is purely because of security, such as the case with Windows 7 as end-of-life support approaches in January. While we may not enjoy it, there are several good reasons that you should get your software up to date. Here are just a few of those reasons followed by a few tips to make the process smoother. 

1. Support for your software won’t last forever. While you may not ever have a need to call your software provider for support, that’s not the only thing that will eventually end. Eventually, development for the software will end. Your software provider will cease to release updates which can lead to lead to all kinds of problems found within this list as well as system instability and crashing. 
2. Security may be one of the more obvious concerns and it should be taken seriously. Next year Windows 7 will be ten years old and after January 14th, extended support for the popular operating system will end. Without new security updates, users who choose to continue to use the OS are taking a huge risk because any new viruses or malware that are released will become a threat. Windows 7 is just one of many examples of the potential security risks of running outdated software. 
3. The Functionality of older software is likely to be reduced as changes to your operating system and other software are made. If your expectations are for things to forever work good as new you will find yourself disappointed. As a rule of thumb, if the company that makes your software no longer exists or is approaching its ten–year anniversary, it’s time to think about new options. 
4. Integration between software often requires support, if you have two independent programs that work together you may find yourself having difficulty completing tasks that once worked with ease. Hardware requirements need to be considered also, new hardware won’t always work with old software, and vice versa. 
5. Features that you use may eventually no longer work as expected. More importantly, the new software will likely have many new features that make tasks you already do much easier. One of the reasons so many software companies updates their software so often is to add requested features and to fix issues to increase efficiency.  

If you are using and need to continue to use any of the following programs, consider updating to a newer version if possible; Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Microsoft Office 2010 or earlier (this includes Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.), Microsoft Works, Windows Live Mail, QuickBooks 2017 as well as many custom-made programs that required older software to run or that were developed prior to Windows 8.  

There are several things you can do to make updating or upgrading your software easier for you. First, you may think that putting off the inevitable for as long as possible will make things easier for you but it won‘t.  Waiting longer than you have to, to bring your software up to speed can actually make things much more difficult. Sometimes upgrading your old software to a new copy of that software to another is not possible because too many changes in the software have taken place between versions. In those situations, you may not be able to open or use the data from your old programs. 

Take your time to research what software you think you need and determine what software options are right for you. What worked for you before may no longer be the best fit for your needs. If you’re not sure what route to go consider asking a professional. Always backup any important data (in two places or it doesn’t count!) and save any important information when purchasing new software such as installation disks and serial numbers so that if you ever need to, you can re-install your software without having to re-purchase it. 

If you find yourself needing help with your computer’s software or hardware, consider contacting Jester’s Computer Services located in Fairfield at (717) 642-6611. Our family will make sure that you receive the best advice and we will always focus on your needs while delivering friendly service! We offer one-on-one technology classes as well as in-home services. Visit our website at www.jesterscomputers.com or follow us on Facebook to receive important technology news, tips, and special offers.