Key things to consider before you switch to Windows 10
However, the latest and greatest might not be the best fit for some organizations, and there are things that need to be taken into account before an update is rolled out across the enterprise.
Forrester Research believes Windows 10 will become the enterprise standard that Windows 8 did not, and it will help Microsoft retain its leading position in PC computing.
"However, Microsoft will face a long road ahead to gain Windows share in mobile," writes analyst Frank Gillett in research on the new OS.
"While it will win a growing share of enterprise tablet purchases, the plans for Windows 10 don't show enough potential to create a differentiated mobile experience that will draw developers and customers away from iOS and Android."
Following on Forrester's report, CSO spoke to several experts to get their opinions on Windows 10 and their thoughts on the key considerations that need to be made before an update is installed at home or in the office.
Updates for the sake of updates shouldn't be the only reason to make the switch. In fact, while updating is always a good idea from a security point of view, said Braden Russell, SVP product development and engineering at Cylance, the timing of these changes are an important business decision.
According to IT solutions provider Softchoice, only 2 percent of the 400,000 PCs Softchoice analyzed adopted Windows 8 while 83 percent are still operating on Windows 7 and another 15 percent are still operating on Windows XP, despite it no longer being supported by Microsoft.
"If you’re still running Windows XP, upgrade immediately. If you’re on Windows 7 or Windows 8, upgrade as you can," Russell said.
"Windows 10 should be more secure than any prior version of Windows, but it is still susceptible to malicious software and user mistakes. You’ll need next generation anti-malware protection to prevent infection, and a good security training program for end users to make them aware of the security impact of their decisions."
Compounding this issue is the fact that Windows 10 is backwards compatible, a Norton spokesperson commented via email. This is a popular feature that allows older legitimate software to continue to run.
"This means that older applications, which can contain vulnerabilities that criminals can exploit, and previously installed malware will continue run on Windows 10. [So the Windows] attack surface continues to grow with each new release, even with the addition of enhanced security features."
Ryan Smith, Vice President & Chief Architect, Optiv Security:
Brian O’Hara, Senior Security Consultant, Rook Security:
Morey Haber, Vice President of Technology, BeyondTrust:
Microsoft Edge:
Mobile Devices: