A year ago, Microsoft announced it will no longer provide security updates or support for PCs running Windows 7. Starting today January 14, 2020 the company is officially ending support for the OS. You can still use your computer but Microsoft will no longer provide you with technical support for any issues, software updates and security updates or fixes. I’ll tell you how risky this is in a bit.
In the wake of this announcement, only 65.4 percent of Windows devices worldwide run on Windows 10 according to stats from Stat Counter. It also shows that 26.8 percent of Windows devices still run on Windows 7. With about 1.3 percent still living in the Windows XP era.
Compared to Europe, 23.1 percent and the United States of America, 17.9 percent, Africa has 39.7 percent of Windows devices still running on Windows 7. With only 49.9 percent running on Window 10.
For consumers this is the end of the road. Organizations on the other hand might pay a hefty amount monthly for Microsoft to provide them with these services.
Using an unsupported Windows 7 device will leave a user or business prone to several cybersecurity attacks. Resulting in losses and damages.
What Next after Windows 7 end of support?
As support for Windows 7 comes to an end, here is what Microsoft encourages you to do if you are still using the operating system.
While you could continue to use your PC running Windows 7, without continued software and security updates, it will be at greater risk for viruses and malware. Going forward, the best way for you to stay secure is on Windows 10. And the best way to experience Windows 10 is on a new PC. While it is possible to install Windows 10 on your older device, it is not recommended.
Kindly refresh, more to come …
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Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. ahead of Consumer Electronics Show(CES) 2020 announces the Galaxy Book Flex α, Alpha. A new variant of the earlier announced Galaxy Book Flex. Which the company says offers longer battery power, immersive QLED display and an exquisite design. All at a competitive price-point.
“Galaxy Book Flex α is a stellar new variant of the Galaxy Computing line, offering many of the best design, hardware, and display features at an accessible price-point.”
Samsung shares the new device meets the demands of today’s consumers. Who are constantly striving to blend their personal and professional lives as well as everything in between. It combines productivity and premium laptop experience with the mobility and flexibility of a smartphone, the company notes.
The 2-in-1 PC device is thin and light, weighing 1.19kg and 13.9mm thick. Spots an aluminum frame with sharp diamond-cut edges. It runs on a 10th generation Intel Core Processor, 8 GB of RAM with up to 1TB of storage. Other features include a built-in biometric reader and pen support. Device battery life is estimated at 17.5 hours, with the ability to fast charge. Samsung says it will be available first half of 2020, starting at $829.99.
Are you using genuine software on your PC? Probably not. Microsoft made a shocking revelation at the launch event of the Windows PC Affordability in Africa Initiative. An initiative aimed at providing affordable Windows products to reduce software piracy in emerging markets such as Africa.
The revelation came out when Deniz Ozen, Regional General Manager, Consumer and Device Sales, Microsoft Middle East & Africa, was talking about increase in malware attacks in the region. He notes that “as per our estimates, only a third of PCs being shipped into Africa include genuine software”. Because of this, data breaches and malware attacks have increased significantly, resulting in loss of important data and decreased productivity,”
According to Microsoft, more than half of the devices shipped into the Middle East and Africa run pirated Windows software. With Africa, experiencing a higher percentage. To put it in context, two thirds of devices shipped and sold in Africa don’t run on genuine software.
Even when it comes to those who try to buy genuine products, Microsoft says the pirated software is often installed without the end users knowledge. Leaving these users to suffer the consequences, which include data loss and unusable PCs.
A pirated version of Windows puts both PCs and people’s data at risk
Microsoft discloses, its goal is to “empower people to do great things on a Windows PC”. The company however says “a pirated version of Windows puts both PCs and people’s data at risk“.
A report by The Software Alliance reveals the overall rate of pirated software across the Middle East and Africa is 56 percent. Libya and Zimbabwe rate as countries with the highest users of unlicensed software in the region.
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Microsoft is announcing the Windows PC Affordability in Africa Initiative, together with its OEM partners. A bold move to reduce pirating of Microsoft software in emerging markets.
Microsoft announced the initiative at a press briefing held in its Bryanston office in Johannesburg. The initiative, Microsoft says aims to “reduce the prevalence of Microsoft software piracy in Africa“.
we aim to educate consumers on the risks of using pirated software
Through the Initiative, “we aim to educate consumers on the risks of using pirated software” shares Bradley Hopkinson, Vice President, Consumer & Device Sales, Microsoft. He continues that Microsoft will “work with our PC ecosystem partners includingAcer, Asus, Dell, Intel, Lenovo, Mustek and SMD to make Genuine Windows 10 PCs more affordable across Africa“.
Affordable devices under the Windows PC Affordability in Africa Initiative
Acer, Asus, Dell, Intel, Lenovo, SMD Technologies, Mustek are OEM partners working with Microsoft to build the affordable devices. This list can increase over the coming years. Windows 10 PCs under the initiative will range from about 150$ to 500$. Covering low to high end specifications. Acer Swift 3, Dell Latitude 3390, Connex Slim Book 2, HP 14 S are some of the early devices announced.
Microsoft’s Windows PC Affordability in Africa Initiative is currently focusing on genuine Windows 10 rollout at the moment. The company might include other products like Microsoft Office in the future.
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Dynabook Europe GmbH announces new Windows 10 laptops at GITEX Technology Week 2019 for the Middle East Africa market. These are the Tecra A40-E and the Tecra X50-F business laptops.
Toshiba’s computer business was rebranded as Dynabook in April this year. After Sharp Corporation obtained 80.1% of Toshiba’s computer business in October 2018. Therefore as of 1st April 2019, Toshiba PC’s will be known globally as Dynabook. The name also comes from Toshiba’s first generation PCs and world’s first notebook computer.
The Tecra A40 and Tecra X50 business laptops will be part of new devices to be Dynabook branded in the Middle East.
President of Dynabook Europe GmbH, Damian Jaume, says the launch of these devices demonstrates the company’s commitment to innovate within the Middle East business PC market. He made this remark speaking to the media at GITEX 2019.
“The Tecra A40-E has been developed with all businesses in mind, no matter what their size or industry. The launch of this device demonstrates our commitment to innovate within the Middle East business PC market and broaden our range of user-centric devices, following on from our company rebrand. We are looking forward to sharing this for the first time with our Middle East clients at GITEX 2019. The biggest and most important technology event in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia.
Typically, 15” devices have been desk-based products and therefore those using them have been bound to the office. The launch of the X50-F supports our mission to empower workers to work whenever and wherever with ultra-mobile devices, without sacrificing on portability or performance.”
Damian Jaume, President Dynabook Europe GmbH
Dynabook Tecra
A40-E
Operating System
Windows 10 Pro
Display
14.0” Toshiba Full HD TFT non-reflective High Brightness and IPS Technology display
Processor
Up to 7th generation Intel Core i5 processor
RAM
8 MB DDR4
Storage
Up to 1 TB
Network
Others
1.47kg, up to 13.5 hours of battery life, Quick Charge 4 hours’ battery life from 30 minutes charging.
X50-F
Operating System
Windows 10 Pro
Display
15.6” Non-reflective Full HD Display up to 470 NIT brightness or Full HD with optional in-Cell Touch technology Onyx Blue with Hair line
Processor
Up to 8th generation Intel Core i7 processor
RAM
8 MB DDR4 RAM
Storage
Up to 1 TB PCIe SSD with optional Intel Optane Technology
Network
WiFi 6 (802.11ax), Optional 4G LTE
Others
Intel UHD Graphics 620
We are yet to get pricing and availability dates on these devices. We will update this post when we get a response.
Any Toshiba PC lovers out there? What do you think about the brand name and the new devices announced. Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Microsoft Corporate Vice President (CVP), Yusuf Mehdi says Windows 10 is now running on more than 900 million devices. The Microsoft CVP of Modern Life, Search & Devices Group shared this announcement in a tweet.
In March 2019 Microsoft announced Windows 10 had crossed the 800 million milestone. A pattern that shows Windows 10 growing by a hundred million devices every six months since October 2018. Yusuf attributes this to the addition of more new Windows 10 devices. More people are upgrading or changing devices as Windows 7 approaches end of support.
Microsoft is finally approaching it target of 1 billion devices running Windows 10. This can happen if the growth continues as early as before Microsoft Build 2020 and next major Windows 10 Upgrade.
There will be a Microsoft Event on the 2nd of October where Microsoft is expected to announce new Surface devices. As well as talk about other products and services including Windows 10.
We can look forward to hearing more from the event. Stay with us and we will bring you updates. Cheers Microsoft, to reaching 900 million devices.
