Microsoft announced earlier this year that November 1st would serve as the final deadline for purchasing new PCs loaded with Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. After that, all new PCs will be required to come with Windows 10 automatically installed.
Last week, Apple announced that it would no longer issue security updates or conduct software development for QuickTime for Windows, one of the most common video players around.
The announcement came without warning after TrendMicro identified two critical vulnerabilities, considered “remote code executions,” which could allow hackers to remotely log in to a user’s computer simply by getting him or her to click on an infected link or visit an illicit website.
In early February, Microsoft announced that Windows 10 would shift to “Recommended” update status in a “phased approach” meant to encourage upgrades. This means that those computer users still on Windows 7 and Windows 8.1-powered machines could be automatically and regularly prompted to download the new operating system.
The email inbox — everybody uses it, everybody relies on it, and chances are most of us dread it. Especially after the New Year, when the holidays may have sapped our motivation to stay on top of incoming messages, and when the first week of January has everyone working hard to make up for lost time.
The New Year provides the perfect opportunity to take stock of what’s important in your work life. In the small to medium-sized business world, technology routinely tops that list — you can’t work well without technology, and technology that doesn’t work well will only hold you back.
Returning to work after a long holiday is never easy. On top of rediscovering day-to-day motivation in the wake of a relaxing weekend filled with Thanksgiving leftovers, chances are you had a few hundred (or thousand) emails clogging up your inbox on Monday morning.
With the back to school frenzy behind us and a change of seasons on the horizon, there’s no better time to give your work life a reboot. And believe it or not, technology can play an important part in that. From embracing mobility to harnessing the cloud to preventing downtime through layered security, machines can make our lives run better.
On July 29th, Microsoft launched Windows 10 to the general public. The operating system’s debut generated a lot of buzz, with many tech experts hailing it as a return to Windows’ classic form (see the reappearance of the Start button) and a solid step forward thanks to many impressive new features.
Although firm numbers are hard to come by, Microsoft estimated in 2014 that more than 500 million people currently use Outlook, its flagship email program. Microsoft Exchange Server accounts for a similar number of business mailboxes. Which means Outlook is near ubiquitous — even if it’s not your personal email program of choice, you’ve probably got some experience using it (probably in a work setting).
And why not? The email, calendar, contact, and task software can truly do it all.
Microsoft is not shy about nudging its business customers into the future. Whether it was the all-out blitz of last year’s death of Windows XP campaign, or this year’s ongoing effort to ease enterprises away from Windows Server 2003, the message comes across loud and clear: when Microsoft stops supporting a product, you really don’t want to be left using it.
