Why should you update your operating system?

Many small businesses don't think about it, and yet...

Updating your workstation operating system is just one of the actions you need to take to improve your cybersecurity.

In this article we will see what an operating system is and the main OS available on the market. Then, we will look at the main reasons to update this key software. Let's get started!

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What is an OS, or operating system?

Definition of the Operating System (OS)

In English, it is often called OS: the acronym for "Operating System". And in French, this translates into "système d'exploitation".

But who is he and what is he for?

An operating system is software that manages the hardware and software resources of a computer.

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It allows the different software and peripherals of the machine to communicate with each other and interact with the user.

The operating system serves as theinterface between the user and the computer by providing a graphical or command line environment for :

• run applications, 
• store and retrieve files, 
• as well as manage the processes and resources of the system.

In short, the OS has its work cut out for it and is really central to the smooth running of your workstations!

The different types of operating systems

Several operating systems are shared on the market:

• Windows, developed by the giant Microsoft. Its market share is about 75% and it equips the vast majority of personal computers.

• MacOS is Apple's operating system. It can only run on Apple branded machines: Mac, MacBook, etc. Its market share in France is slightly less than 20%.

• Linux : a free open-source operating system, widely used for servers and supercomputers, but also available for personal computers. It equips about 3% of all computers.

• Android (Google) is the most popular mobile operating system in the world, used by many smartphone and tablet manufacturers. 

• iOS : developed by Apple, it is used exclusively on the brand's mobile devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch). There are also other operating systems, less popular, but which have their own user communities, such as FreeBSD, NetBSD, etc.

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What are the latest versions of the main OS on the market?

Here are the latest versions of the 3 main OS on the market: 

• Windows 11, 
• macOS "Ventura",
• and Linux Mint 21.1 "Vera".

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Why should you update your OS regularly?

There are many reasons why we recommend that you update your operating system regularly. 

Here are 5 main ones. Installing the latest version of your OS allows you to :

• Fix security vulnerabilities.
• Improve the performance of the OS and - consequently - of your workstation.
• Correct the bugs listed (thus saving time in your use of the machine!).
• Guarantee the software compatibility of your OS and the software you use (also allowing you to install the most recent software).
• Maintain technical support. Indeed, if you have an old version of the OS, the editor does not always ensure the technical support. You may then be at the mercy of computer attacks or breakdowns.

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In practice, we advise to wait a few weeks after the release of a new OS before installing it. This is not the case for major updates, which occur once a year on Mac, and are much more spaced out on the Windows side.

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It is indeed frequent that these updates contain bugs, which are corrected after a few weeks. 

Let's take a look at what's new in each of these operating systems.

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What's new in Windows 11

Windows 11 was not intended to be a revolution compared to its predecessor Windows 10.

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However, some interesting and useful new features have appeared in this version of Windows, among which :

• The ability to launch a Bing search directly from the taskbar (note in passing that Microsoft has invested billions of dollars in ChatGPT technology, which the group wants to become your daily virtual assistant);
• The ability to run Android games and apps directly in Windows 11, which is not necessarily useful in a business context, except for taking a well-deserved game break 🙂
• The desktop, Start menu and taskbar icons have been optimized. They are more beautiful and intuitive than before.
• The Microsoft Store, which allows you to download new applications, has been improved. The categories are clearer and easier to navigate, making it easier to access tools such as Zoom, WinZip or Acrobat Reader.
• And a lot of other detail optimizations, which make the difference, such as the fact that windows can now be positioned more easily, the simplification of the file explorer, or the disappearance of Skype (which was less and less used), replaced by a chat application linked to Microsoft Teams (whose use is exploding!).

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What's new in MacOS Ventura

MacOS is also getting a makeover, with its new version, Ventura :

• The whole interface has been updated: menus, buttons, icons, window design, everything has changed, and for the better!
• The implementation of a control center, very useful, allowing to manage in a centralized way all the settings and parameters, which were until now distributed in different places in the interface of the OS.
• Numerous security updates, to better protect your Mac and your personal data, such as phishing protection, and protection against website leaks with "Isolation Mode": offering an extreme level of protection to the few who face highly targeted cyber attacks.
• Grouping notifications by application, and improving the management of these notifications.
• Facilitating migrations with computers already enrolled in an MDM.

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What's new in Linux Mint Vera

On the Linux side, the Vera version also offers new features:

• On the visual aspect first of all, a new theme is available, and the mouse pointer changes its look.
• The application manager (software library) also changes its look. For example, search results are now displayed as tiles.
• The update manager has been simplified, providing tips for updating packages (which can be a difficult and time-consuming task for unsophisticated users). The driver and source manager has also been improved.

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Conclusion: an OS can be updated 🙂

Finally, let's remember that updating an operating system is not always an easy task. For a team without the necessary skills, it can even become mission impossible.

So, we suggest you discover a solution to this problem: our IT asset management platform, Rzilient, which performs your operating system updates in an automated and totally transparent way for you, as well as many other useful tasks for your IT system!