The deadline for this is on October 31* and it is quickly approaching – less than 2 months away!

It could become complicated, time consuming and more expensive if you miss the cut-off date and still want to run Windows 7.

Some important facts about Windows 7:
* Windows 7 is still the most popular operating system and is installed on over 47% of all computers.
* Microsoft will continue to provide security updates, performance improvements as well as support for new hardware for Windows 7 until at least January 2020.
* Windows 7 is more compatible with other software and hardware than Windows 10.

Contact Proven Solutions today for the best selection of computers with Windows 7 preinstalled or if you would like to discuss your next computer purchase in more detail.

*Microsoft will only sell Windows 7 licenses to computer manufacturers until October 31, 2016.
The ability to purchase a specific model of computer with Windows 7 preinstalled will depend on available inventory.

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Stay, Go or …

Whenever a client asks me if they should stay with Windows 7 or 8.1 or go to Windows 10, I recommend that they wait and see and here’s why:

• Although Windows 10 has been tested by some people, the real test starts, in my opinion, when the new operating system ‘goes live’ this week.
• People who upgrade immediately may experience bugs and missing features as well as overloaded Microsoft servers until the kinks are worked out.
• Your third party software may not be fully compatible with Windows 10 yet. This includes anti-virus programs, photo/video viewing/editing software, etc.
• Drivers and other software for some hardware devices such as multifunction printers may not exist or work properly.

Since the free upgrade offer is valid for a year, I suggest that you wait and see so that you can avoid wasting valuable time and costly problems.

How to be Prepared

In the meantime, here are some things to do to get ready for the Windows 10 upgrade:

• Full backups of your data, programs and operating system need to be checked. If you don’t have any yet, this summer is the perfect time to have me help you get them up and running. You may need to revert to your image backup if something goes wrong.
• Gather all of the media for software that you have purchased or downloaded as well as the license keys.
• Install all of the updates for your operating system, other software and hardware at once.
• Check that your hardware and software are compatible with Windows 10.

When You Are Ready to Upgrade to Windows 10

Experts are suggesting a clean installation of Windows 10. This reformats your hard drive and will wipe out any hidden malware as well as other issues. That way you’re not bringing old problems with you.

The upgrade of an operating system can be a difficult task for many people.
If you need assistance with the preparation and implementation of this upgrade, Proven Solutions can help you.
Our professional services include all of the above recommendations and much more.

Please feel free to contact me to discuss this project or with any questions that you may have.

Proven Solutions Inc. has been providing computer services and sales to Toronto, Ontario and the surrounding area (GTA) for over 20 years.
Feel free to contact Proven Solutions at any time.

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Does this mean that Windows XP will suddenly stop working?

No, you will still be able to use Windows XP but …

Microsoft will be discontinuing support for Windows XP on April 8, 2014

What “End-Of-Life” does mean is that Microsoft will be discontinuing support for Windows XP on April 8, 2014.

An unsupported version of Windows will no longer receive software updates from Microsoft.

• This includes security updates that can help protect your PC from viruses, spyware and other harmful software which can damage your programs and data as well as steal your personal information.
  • Without these security updates, your computer will be like a “sitting duck” for hackers even if you have the most up-to-date anti-virus and other security software installed.
  • Businesses that store private and confidential data such as Emails, spreadsheets and other documents on computers running Windows XP may face legal issues if data is illegally extracted from their insecure systems.
• Microsoft will also no longer provide updates to improve the reliability of Windows XP, new drivers for your hardware and more.

Other Software Manufacturers Will Focus on More Current Operating Systems

After April 8, 2014, other software manufacturers that develop anti-virus programs, browsers, etc. may also stop supporting XP.

Their development teams will then be able to focus on more current Operating Systems.

Again, this will increase the risk to computers running Windows XP.

The lack of development can also cause compatibility issues such as:

• Many Web sites are designed to only be compatible with the newer versions of browsers such as Internet Explorer which cannot be installed on Windows XP.
• Newer versions of other software may not be capable of working properly or function at all.

Hardware Manufacturers May Stop Providing Drivers For Windows XP

Hardware manufacturers may not provide drivers for new printers, components and other peripherals.

This may create compatibility issues between XP and your new hardware.

Yes, XP users should be concerned about the end of support for Windows XP on April 8, 2014.

Proven Solutions Can Assist You In All of the Steps in Your Migration to Windows 7 or Windows 8

• Identify your current computer, its internal components, other devices such as printers and the software that you will need to migrate to a newer Operating System.
• Determine whether your present hardware and software is compatible with a more modern version of Windows.
• Provide alternative solutions for programs that will not work properly on Windows 7 or Windows 8
• Recommend whether to upgrade your existing computer or purchase a new one.
• Suggest either Microsoft Windows 7 or Windows 8 as your new Operating System.
• Migrate your programs and/or data.
• We provide a wide range of hardware and software products from manufacturers such as Lenovo, Dell, HP and Brother.
• Proven Solutions offers a full range of services including consulting, sales, migration, implementation, training and support.

Proven Solutions understands that everyone’s needs are different.

We will provide sound advice while keeping your best interest in mind.

For professional assistance, please contact Proven Solutions today.
We are located in Toronto, Ontario Canada.

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We frequently receive questions as to whether an Email from Microsoft regarding a security update is real or a fake.
We encourage everyone to be careful with every Email because it may contain or link to a virus or other malware.
This includes Emails that are supposedly from Microsoft.

One of the current scams involves receiving an Email with an attachment regarding a Microsoft Security Alert.
According to the contents of the Email, the security update is contained in the attachment.
When you run the attachment, a worm is installed on your computer that will spread by sending itself as another attachment to everyone in your address book.
The purpose of this worm is to form a botnet of many computers which may be used to send massive amounts of spam, attack Web sites, etc.

Here are some simple tips that will help you determine if the Microsoft Security Alert is an obvious fake:

• Microsoft will never include an attachment with a security alert.
• The grammar is incorrect.
• There are spelling mistakes.

Additional information about how to determine if a Microsoft security related Email is genuine can be found here.

If you do receive a fake Microsoft Security Alert, delete the Email right away and permanently (also delete it from your ‘trash’ or ‘deleted’ folder).
If you have installed the attachment, contact us immediately so that we can remove the virus / worm.
Not sure if you have installed the attachment? Contact us and we will help you determine if you are infected and remove the infection if necessary.

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According to Microsoft: “An unsupported version of Windows will no longer receive software updates from Windows Update. These include security updates that can help protect your PC from harmful viruses, spyware, and other malicious software, which can steal your personal information. Windows Update also installs the latest software updates to improve the reliability of Windows—new drivers for your hardware and more.”

To verify which service pack is installed on your computer please follow these steps:
1. Left click on ‘START’ then left click on ‘RUN’.
2. Type ‘winver’ in the white box to the right of ‘OPEN’ and then left click on ‘OK’.
3. Take note of the Operating System and Service Pack. Left click on ‘OK’.

We can upgrade your computer to the most current service pack (SP3 for Windows XP* or SP2 for Windows Vista) and also install other important Microsoft Security Updates.

Our comprehensive package includes:
1. A complete image backup of your hard drive that we retain for a minimum of 10 days. This will help protect your data and programs in the event that an error occurs during the upgrade.
2. Install the appropriate service pack (Service Pack 3 for Windows XP* or Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista).
3. Install other important Microsoft Security Updates.
4. Test your Internet connection and important applications such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint), Internet Browsers (Internet Explorer, FireFox and Chrome) and your Email program (Outlook and Outlook Express).

For residential clients, our promotional price for this complete package is $149 plus applicable taxes.

Drop your computer off at our office at Dufferin and Finch in Toronto, Ontario to take advantage of this special offer.

Pick-up and delivery within a 10 km radius of our office is available for an additional $20.

Evening and weekend appointments are available.

All prices are in CDN$. Applicable taxes are extra.

This offer will expire on July 31, 2010.

Please contact us for any inquiries or to schedule an appointment.

Phone: 416-227-2290.
Email: allan.pcsupport@gmail.com
WEB: http://proven-solutions.com

Terms and conditions are subject to change without prior notice.

* Service Pack 3 is current for Windows XP 32-bit and Service Pack 2 is current for Windows XP 64-bit.