Centrend

Uncategorized

5 Options If Your Windows 10 PC FAILS The Windows 11 Compatibility Test

As you likely heard, Windows 10 will reach its end of life on October 14, 2025. This means Microsoft will no longer offer free security updates, non-security updates and technical support on this version. That does not mean the PCs will no longer work; it simply means you are on your own to keep your device secure and functioning efficiently. If you’ve already attempted to upgrade to Windows 10 but your PC failed the pesky compatibility checker and received an error message, don’t worry – you still have options. Here are the 5 options available to you: Moving everything over to a new operating system will bring its own set of headaches, so make sure you only take this option if you’re willing to deal with any issues that arise. ZDNET walks you through the process, but, in a nutshell, you can upgrade your PC that was initially designed for Windows 10 by making a minor registry edit and then making sure your PC is configured to use Secure Boot with the Trusted Platform Module (TPM). They go on to suggest that you shouldn’t worry if you receive a message saying, “If you proceed with installing Windows 11, your PC will no longer be supported and won’t be entitled to receive updates. Damages to your PC due to lack of compatibility aren’t covered under the manufacturer warranty.” This doesn’t mean your information will be deleted on the spot; it simply prevents the company from being legally responsible if something happens because the device is no longer supported. If you choose this option, know that it’s not inexpensive. For business owners, the subscription cost for the first year is $61. The price doubles in year two, costing $122, and again in year three, costing $244. This comes out to an outstanding $427, nearly 50% higher than when they offered this solution for Windows 7 in 2020. Educators, fortunately, get a price break. The pricing structure is the same, but the cost for the first year is only $1. It doubles to $2 in the second year and doubles again to $4 in the third year. It’s important to note that these updates are cumulative and do not include technical support. This means you can only get a year-two subscription IF you already purchased year one, and you’re on your own for the technical assistance you need. It is clear the ESUs are not meant to be a long-term solution and are priced to encourage users to upgrade to Windows 11.  Before making a decision, make sure you back up your data thoroughly and regularly. Losing all your information is not a problem you want to take on. Do not wait until the last minute to start thinking about your options. Time will pass quickly, and you want to have this handled before October 2025. If choosing what to do feels daunting, our team of experts can help. We can guide you in making the best decision for your unique situation. If you choose to upgrade, our team will work to create a seamless transition that avoids unnecessary costs or downtime. To get started, give us a call at 774-241-8600 or click here to book now.

5 Options If Your Windows 10 PC FAILS The Windows 11 Compatibility Test Read More »

Travel Smart: Essential Cybersecurity Practices For A Hack-Free Vacation

Summer is a popular time for business owners and employees to step out of the office and take a well-deserved vacation. Even if their “out of office” e-mail responder is active, many people will periodically check in on work at least once while traveling. Unfortunately, studies show that working outside of the office – whether it’s a few simple check-ins on vacation, connecting to the Internet at a local coffee shop or even business travelers out on work trips – can lead to major cybersecurity issues. If you or your employees will be answering urgent e-mails from the airport or accessing network documents in the hotel lobby, it’s essential to maintain strong cybersecurity best practices to avoid exposing the company’s network to hackers preying nearby. In this blog post, we’ll cover what cybersecurity best practices are necessary for you to take before and during any trip to keep your network secure from hackers. Why Cybersecurity Matters While Traveling Cybersecurity might not be at the top of your vacation checklist, but ignoring it can turn your dream getaway into a horrible nightmare. Cybercriminals know summer is a prime time to attack because people are more likely to let their guard down while on vacation. For most vacationers, the focus is on enjoying time out of the office instead of ensuring they’re following cybersecurity best practices, making them an easy target for hackers. To minimize the risk of a cyberattack while traveling, here are a few best practices to cover with anyone on your team who might connect to the Internet while on vacation. Before you go: While traveling: You should be able to relax on vacation. Taking these simple precautions can help you keep your device secure so you can enjoy your time off and don’t have to worry about dealing with cyber issues when you get back to work. However, it’s important to know that these steps aren’t fail-proof. To truly ensure that your company’s cybersecurity measures are up to standard, it’s important to work with a professional IT team that can monitor your network 24/7, patch any vulnerabilities that pop up (which happens regularly) and alert you if something seems suspicious. To help you prepare for your vacation and have peace of mind knowing your business is secure while you or your employees are working remotely, call us at 774-241-8600 or click here to schedule a FREE IT Security Risk Assessment with our cybersecurity experts today. We’ll evaluate your current cybersecurity solutions, identify potential vulnerabilities and help you implement a strategic security plan to keep your company safe.

Travel Smart: Essential Cybersecurity Practices For A Hack-Free Vacation Read More »

What Is Bad IT Support Costing Your Business?

In our technology-driven world, efficient IT support is the backbone of any successful business. From ensuring seamless operations to safeguarding sensitive data, reliable IT services are crucial for maintaining productivity and protecting your bottom line. However, not all IT support is created equal, and the cost of settling for subpar services can result in expensive consequences for your business. Bad IT service can negatively affect employee productivity, customer happiness and operational efficiency and quickly eat into your profits. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the hidden costs of bad IT support and how it could be impacting your business in ways you might not have considered. Unresolved Recurring Issues IT issues that aren’t properly resolved are like untreated wounds that fester over time. For example, one person’s poor password habits can become a company-wide issue that later results in an expensive ransomware attack when a hacker finds a weak link. Recurring IT issues also drain company resources. Without addressing the root cause of the issues, the problems will persist, leading to ongoing costs. Sloppy Systems And Processes Your IT team can take tasks off your plate, like getting new employees access to the files, software and programs they need to do their job and revoking access when an employee leaves the company. If the procedures are not followed or outlined properly, your company’s processes will not run as efficiently as they should, costing you time and money, and it could open up big security risks to your company. Unexpected Downtime Operational inefficiencies aside, what’s the cost if you CAN’T do business? Not just the loss of potential sales, but the cost of employees sitting stagnant, staring at the wall and scrolling on their phones while your IT guy is trying to get your network back up. If you have 20 employees at an average pay of $25 an hour and your system is down for three hours, you might as well light $1,500 on fire. Now, what if this is happening one, two, even three or more times a month? Add in the potential loss of sales and fees for emergency IT support, and the total for each outage will quickly add up to a sizable chunk of change you’re letting fall right through your pocket. Security Breaches If a negligent or inexperienced IT professional leaves gaps in your security system, you could be vulnerable to a cyber-attack. There is no limit to what this could cost your business if client data or financial data is leaked, stolen or exploited. Legal fees, fines and downtime from cyber-attacks have put thousands of companies out of business because the owners weren’t able to get out from under them. It is critical to the future of your business that you work with an IT professional who knows what you need to be compliant in your industry and secure from the latest threats. These issues are only the tip of the iceberg. If you’d like us to take a closer look at what you’re getting for what you’re paying, to make sure you’re not exposed to risks and are operating as efficiently as possible, we’re happy to do so. To schedule a free 10-minute discovery call to see how we can get rid of your tech issues once and for all, go to www.centrend.com/contactus or call us at 772-241-8600.

What Is Bad IT Support Costing Your Business? Read More »

Scroll to Top