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Why Windows 7 users should upgrade to Windows 10 right now

5 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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As 2019 draws to a close, software users are now starting to look ahead to 2020. January 14, 2020 is a date Windows 7 users across the world have noted down in their diaries. That is the dateMicrosoft stops supporting Windows 7.

Consequently, the big M will no longer release patch updates for that platform from then on.

So, lots of Windows 7 users are no doubt now considering upgrading to 10. There are many differences between those platforms in terms of features, software, and hardware support. These are a few good reasons why users should upgrade to Windows 10.

What are the key differences between Windows 7 and Windows 10?

1. Windows 10 gets biannual build updates

Biannual build version updates are a big part of Windows 10. Those add new features to Windows 10 in the spring and fall of each year. The feature updates for Windows 10 are slightly more optional these days, but Microsoft still rolls out automatic build updates for users utilizing older versions of the platform.

Even as a supported platform, Microsoft did not roll out regular version updates for Windows 7; and, of course, thatOSwon’t get any patch updates after its end of support date.

Additionally, if you’re tired of getting end of support notifications on your Windows 7 PC, check out thishandy guideto get rid of them once and for all.

2. Windows 10 is faster

Performancebenchmarkshighlight that Windows 10 is generally faster than 7. Those benchmarks show that Windows 10 has a faster system startup and wakes more quickly from its sleep and Hibernate modes.

Windows 10’s faster performance can be attributed to things like its fast startup and Game Mode settings. Furthermore, Windows 10 has very similar system requirements to 7; so it isn’t more system resource intensive.

3. Windows 10 supports mixed reality

Mixed reality is Microsoft’s unique brand ofvirtual reality. There are numerous mixed reality headsets, such as the Dell Visor, Acer Windows Mixed Reality HMD, Samsung HMD Odyssey, and Hololens 2.

Windows 10is the big M’s exclusive platform for mixed reality. So,Windows 7users will need to upgrade to 10 before getting new VR headsets. Some users might also need to get newdesktopsorlaptopsas not all older Windows 7 PCs will meet the minimum hardware system requirements for mixed reality.

Looking for the best VR headsets on the market? Check out this list with our top picks and choose yours right now!

4. Windows 7 includes desktop gadgets

Desktop gadgetsare those nifty little calendars, clocks, weather forecasts, picture slideshows, and numerous other things you can add to the Windows 7 desktop. Microsoft discontinued desktop gadgets in Windows 8 due to their security vulnerabilities.

Those vulnerabilities will likely become somewhat bigger when the big M stops supporting Windows 7.

Thus,Windows 10doesn’t include any gadgets. Nevertheless, users can stilladd gadgets to Windows 10with third-party software such as8GadgetPackand 7 Sidebar. Both those software add a gadget sidebar to the desktop that emulates the one in Windows 7.

5. Different Start menus

Microsoft destroyed theStart menuin Windows 8, which is partly why that platform flopped. The big M restored the Start menu inWindows 10, which is somewhat different from the one in 7.

Windows 10’s Start menu includes flexible app tile shortcuts that you can pin to it. It also incorporates a letter index from which you can select letters to jump to software folders on the menu.

Windows 7’s Start menuincludes a Windows search utility. InWindows 10, theType here to searchbox is not a part of its Start menu, but it’s right beside it on thetaskbar. It’s just as easy to initiate quick searches by clicking theType here to searchbutton.

6. Windows 10 supports MS Store apps

One of the biggest differences between Windows 10 and 7 is that 10 supports UWP apps. ThoseUniversal Windows Platformapps are distributed on the Microsoft Store. None of the MS Store apps are available for Windows 7. Windows 10 even has an S mode version specifically for UWP apps.

Furthermore, Windows 10 comes with numerous UWP apps, some of which are its default software. Photos, Films (Movies) & TV, Groove Music, Paint 3D, Weather, and Calendar are just a few of 10’s built-in apps.

Cortana and Settings (a Control Panel alternative) are also apps that are more integrated with Windows 10.

Curious about the best Microsoft Store deals? Take a look at this article and find the top ones available right now.

7. Windows 10 includes a Game Bar

Windows 10 is a bettergaming platformthan 7. Windows 10’s Game Bar enables players tocapture screenshotsand videos in games, monitor system performance, play Spotify music, configure overlays, and open Xbox Social.

Settings includes aGame Modeoption that optimizes system resources for games. The Xbox Console Companions app enables players to stream Xbox games to Windows 10.

On top of that, Sea of Thieves, Killer Instinct, Gears of War 4, and Halo Wars 2 are just some of the Windows 10 games you can’t play on 7.

8. Microsoft Office 2019 isn’t compatible with Windows 7

Microsoft keeps most of its latest software exclusively for Windows 10. TheMS Office 2019suite is the most notable Windows 10 software that isn’t available for 7 (especially from an enterprise perspective).

So, the latest MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook applications are only available for Windows 10.

Those are some of the biggest differences between Windows 10 and 7 that users need to take into consideration. The fact that Microsoft will stop supporting Windows 7 might not be enough to woo some users to 10 asthird-party antivirus softwarecan replace the unsupported Windows Defender utility.

However, Windows 10’s mixed reality support, exclusive MS Office 2019 suite, biannual version updates, revamped Start menu, UWP apps, Game Bar, and faster performance are other good reasons to upgrade to it.

Why Windows 7 users should upgrade to Windows 10 right now#

What are the key differences between Windows 7 and Windows 10?#

1. Windows 10 gets biannual build updates#

2. Windows 10 is faster#

3. Windows 10 supports mixed reality#

4. Windows 7 includes desktop gadgets#

5. Different Start menus#

6. Windows 10 supports MS Store apps#

7. Windows 10 includes a Game Bar#

8. Microsoft Office 2019 isn’t compatible with Windows 7#