Small business gains from Windows 10
Time has passed and the verdict is in for Windows 10’s performance in 2015. Various sources reported on its uptake, but the general consensus seems to be that Windows 10 has been installed on more than 200 million devices. Microsoft’s latest operating system holds benefits for small business users, such as improved security, but it may not yet be the thing for your small business.
Key aspects to consider
With some water under the bridge since its launch, Jennifer Lonoff Schiff listed some key aspects to consider when you make decisions about upgrading your small business to Windows 10.
- As with any new version of an operating system, the latest version may not be compatible with all your legacy software and equipment, including some servers. You may have some mission-critical applications, especially backup software, antivirus and any industry-specific applications, and devices like printers and other peripherals that are not compatible with Windows 10.
- Check your organization’s server environment. Small businesses should be running at least the 2012 R2 edition of Windows Server and associated management tools such as System Center Configuration Manager to be able to fully manage and automate the administration of Windows 10.
- Your devices will be more secure and you won’t have to wait for patches. Another good reason to upgrade older PCs to Windows 10 is that operating systems that are designated as end of life, will not receive security fixes or other upgrades from Microsoft. Windows 10 Professional fixes code and patches security holes continuously. No more “Patch Tuesday” – you can now schedule when Windows 10 updates are installed and you can avoid those annoying forced restarts in the middle of the working day.
- If you’re worried about having to train your staff to use the latest interface, you can download and install “Classic Shell” to make Windows 10 look familiar to users of Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows 95 or even Windows 3.1. You gain the speed and performance of Windows 10 while retaining the familiar interface of prior versions of Windows. If you want them to use Windows 10 regardless, get the free Windows 10 Readiness Kit.
- Take precautions by backing up your computers and essential files. Do a test before upgrading all your devices. Set aside one or two devices in your small business and install all possible software that you use. Upgrade them to Windows 10 and see how things go. If there is a problem with one or more applications, you may have to “ring-fence” the machines that run the software until the problem has been solved by the provider of that software.
- As a last resort, you can always downgrade. Microsoft supports a fairly seamless process to downgrade Windows 10 to the previous version, provided certain components aren’t removed by the user after the upgrade.
Take the leap
Small businesses should by now have a much better idea of where they stand with Windows 10. All things considered, there are probably more benefits than drawbacks with taking the leap.
Source
Shortened from an article by Jennifer Lonoff Schiff at http://www.itnews.com/article/3027496/windows/
