End of Windows 7: A QuickBooks and TurboTax users' must read

Microsoft decided to start off 2020 by ceasing support for Windows 7. This means that the OS will no longer be receiving any kind of updates neither in the form of new features, or security patches.

This leaves Windows 7 users with very few choices, including the following:

• Remain on Windows 7 unprotected
• Get the Windows 7 Extended Support for Business
• Upgrade to Windows 10
• Migrate to an entirely new OS
  • If you do choose this option, we’ve written detailed articles about migrating to the following OSes:
    • macOS
    • Linux

Of course, migrating to an entirely new OS is difficult at a large scale, such as within a company. that is why steps need to taken in order to ensure that everything goes smoothly.

How ever, this takes time, during which their computer systems are vulnerable to outside cyberattacks. Such would be the case with QuickBooks and TurboTax users that are still using Windows 7.

Windows 7, QuickBooks and TurboTax

Since Windows 7 is no longer receiving security updates, this means that all of your data is in a vulnerable state. If you are using any type of accounting software, or are performing banking transactions or online shopping, you are exposing yourself even more.

Such would be the case with QuickBooks and TurboTax. While their respective developers do continue to make clients that are still compatible with Windows 7, it is not clear how much longer this will last.

Even the developers of QuickBooks and TurboTax recommend that users migrate to Windows 10:

TurboTax for tax year 2019 and QuickBooks 2020 will install on Windows 7 (Service Pack 1 or later) PCs. However, we strongly recommend upgrading your operating system before installing these products.
While you can use TurboTax and QuickBooks Desktop on any operating system listed in the products system requirements (Windows 8/Windows 8.1/Windows 10), Microsoft recommends that Windows 7 users upgrade to Windows 10.

They went on and added that once you’ve upgraded to Windows 10, you can continue to use the software without repurchasing it.

Once you’ve upgraded your Windows operating system, your current version of TurboTax or QuickBooks Desktop will work on your PC. You don’t have to buy them again.

As such, sooner or later you will still need to upgrade to another OS, and do something to keep your data safe.

Keep your QuickBooks and TurboTax data safe

Since QuickBooks and TurboTax work with sensitive information such as addresses, bank account numbers, passwords, it is necessary to take all the measures needed to keep the data safe.

If migration is not yet an option, and you do not have the budget to go for the WIndows 7 Extended Support, you could always opt for a third-party antivirus tool that will keep you safe.

For the best antivirus programs that work on Windows 7 for banking programs, check out this in-depth article. Additionally, changing your Internet browsing habits can take you a long way.

If you want to learn more about how the end support of Windows 7 affects various software, leave us a message in the comments section below.

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