Windows 7 Professional and Enterprise editions will no longer receive extended security updates for critical and important vulnerabilities starting Tuesday, January 10, 2023.
Microsoft launched the legacy operating system in October 2009. It then reached its end of support in January 2015 and its extended end of support in January 2020.
The Extended Security Update (ESU) program was the last resort option for customers who still needed to run legacy Microsoft products past their end of support on Windows 7 systems.
All editions of Windows 8.1, launched nine years ago in November 2013, will also reach EOS on the same day.
"Most Windows 7 devices will not meet the hardware requirements for upgrading to Windows 11, as an alternative, compatible Windows 7 PCs can be upgraded to Windows 10 by purchasing and installing a full version of the software," Microsoft explains.
"Before investing in a Windows 10 upgrade, please consider that Windows 10 will reach its end of support date on October 14, 2025."
Microsoft recommends customers with devices that don't meet the technical requirements for a more recent Windows release to replace them with ones that support Windows 11 to take advantage of the latest hardware capabilities.
Currently, Windows 7 runs on over 11% of all Windows systems worldwide, while Windows 8.1 is used by 2.59% of Microsoft customers, according to Statcounter GlobalStats.
Web browsers also dropping support for Windows 7
Next week, Redmond will also release Microsoft Edge 109, the web browser's last version to come with support for Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1.
This version of Microsoft Edge will also be the last to support Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 2012 R2.
A similar announcement was made by Google in October when the company said that version 110 of its Google Chrome web browser would also likely drop support for Windows 7 and 8.1 starting in February 2023.
Microsoft Edge 109 and Google Chrome 110 will continue to work on legacy operating systems, but they will no longer receive security updates and bug fixes, exposing their users to security risks.
Google Chrome now has a market share of over 64%, followed by Safari with roughly 18% and Microsoft Edge (which uses Chrome's Blink rendering engine with enhancements from Microsoft) with just over 4%.
Other vendors have already dropped support for Windows 7 ahead of the date when the OS will stop receiving security updates.
For instance, NVIDIA is no longer providing Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 drivers since last year, starting in October 2021.
Comments
ThomasMann - 1 year ago
"...compatible Windows 7 PCs can be upgraded to Windows 10 by purchasing and installing a full version of the software,""
Yeah sure.... very funny. 11% ? That is quite a lot of people that M$ will piss off, all scrambling to find a way NEVER to give one single $$$ more to those pricks.
The only question now is which will be downloaded more.... Ubuntu or Mint.
"Linux for Dummies 2023" will become a bestseller.
Users wanting to stay with windows can do a little bit of seraching. Seems there is Win11 around that can be installed from a USB stick on ANYTHING ?
SoftwareEngineer248 - 1 year ago
Windows 7 came out in 2009 and received 10 years of free updates + 3 years of paid updates. Frankly, this is an amazing amount of support and far better than most operating systems get.
Also, users were offered free upgrades to Windows 10 which is still receiving security updates.
The bottom line is Microsoft has done a fantastic job supporting users and their operating systems.
I understand you do not like Windows 10 and 11 for some reason. That is fine. That being said, both work great and Microsoft has done an admirable job supporting and improving its operating systems.
ThomasMann - 1 year ago
Is there anything, that Win7 cannot do, that a normal user could posibly need, and that 10 or11 do?
This is about money, that is all...
TsVk! - 1 year ago
Zero day feeding frenzy in 3, 2, 1...
Knight_of_BAAWA - 1 year ago
Or they can still upgrade to 10 for free.
Hmm888 - 1 year ago
"Or they can still upgrade to 10 for free."
That's pure rubbish like most comments on social media these days. Prove to me that every single PC running W7 can be upgraded to W10 without suffering any issues, especially performance issues.
Anyway, we're living now a sophists world of disinformation and misinformation, much of it is disingenuous.
Computerdave911 - 1 year ago
This article is WRONG< its free to activate with 7 or 8 key, https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10
defective1up - 1 year ago
"This article is WRONG< its free to activate with 7 or 8 key, https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10"
Absolutely correct!
defective1up - 1 year ago
There are always these panicked comments. Windows 7 is too old for continued use, most popular applications don't even support it anymore. It's a security nightmare at work and at home. Its time to move on. Upgrade to 10/11 for free by flashing a USB drive with an iso with Rufus, and enjoy being on something modern that doesn't have the UI of a refreshed Vista. If your hardware can't support it, you're long past due for a new machine anyway. Move on!
ThomasMann - 1 year ago
Wow !!!
"Windows 7 is too old for continued use..."
Now that is what I call a convincing argument.
Jesus!
Hmm888 - 1 year ago
"There are always these panicked comments. Windows 7 is too old for continued use, most popular applications don't even support it anymore. It's a security nightmare at work and at home. Its time to move on. Upgrade to 10/11 for free by flashing a USB drive with an iso with Rufus, and enjoy being on something modern that doesn't have the UI of a refreshed Vista. If your hardware can't support it, you're long past due for a new machine anyway. Move on! "
Sounds like someone practicing iletisim or Trumpism. Do you also drive a Tesla? Replace your vehicle every few years?
It's time for people like you to move on to North Korea or another third world country so you can appreciate and emphasize, instead of being a selfish, arrogant, simple-minded ****.
glickstein2222 - 1 year ago
I wonder if someone would use ATM knowing it is based on non supported building blocks.
Outdated OS and very old hardware. Probably none would.
The same goes for your home PC that you use to logon to your banking online service.
ThomasMann - 1 year ago
I cannot tell how you do your banking, but mine is done with two factor security and there is not much that 10 or 11 will do, that will not work on 7....
You are all living in phantasy land thinking total security is possible in ANY OS... It all depends in the end on one faactor: Are you an idiot or not. That is all there is...
glickstein2222 - 1 year ago
Authentication (MFA) is only one aspect of security. Many vulnerabilities in 7 do not exist in 11. Nothing is perfect but 7 is dangerous.
kr0tchet - 1 year ago
Usually, sometimes older OS get more vulnerabilities, but hackers are getting less interested or either their malware/ransomware fails to work on older systems (through there's some exception such as the infamous WannaCry ransomware, which somehow infect WinXP aswell, but the payload failed and causing the OS to BSOD instead, but it's still able to infect manually by executing it, Win2000 and older aren't affected by WannaCry as its payload failed to execute) into hacking older OS, as long some of the installed apps and even antivirus is up to date, and with the usage of adblockers, they won't easily get infected, i never got a single virus as long its all up to date, but back then I got a outdated version of windows 7 from gray market, pre-pirated and as expected, Windows Update is disabled, i got alot of tons of viruses easily but also new programs refuse to work without all Win Update installed, this changed after i install the legit, up to date version and use Windows Update frequently.
btw I also used 8.1 when 7 out of support aswell and so with programs gets dropped, and it's already hit the limitations of my old 2009 PC, but as 8.1 also out aswell, I decided to pick Win10 LTSC 2021 as an option, but before that, i also tried LTSB 2016, LTSC 2019 respectively, but they got some compatibility problems with newer programs requiring latest ver of Win10.
In fact, even with 7 (with or without ESU) and 8.1 EOS, it's server counter part like Server 2008 R2 or even 2012 R2 will have ESU and people (mostly fans of the older OS) will create a patch that allow you to install Server ESU updates on it.
Hmm888 - 1 year ago
"Usually, sometimes older OS get more vulnerabilities, but hackers are getting less interested or either their malware/ransomware fails to work on older systems (through there's some exception such as the infamous WannaCry ransomware, which somehow infect WinXP aswell, but the payload failed and causing the OS to BSOD instead, but it's still able to infect manually by executing it, Win2000 and older aren't affected by WannaCry as its payload failed to execute) into hacking older OS, as long some of the installed apps and even antivirus is up to date, and with the usage of adblockers, they won't easily get infected, i never got a single virus as long its all up to date, but back then I got a outdated version of windows 7 from gray market, pre-pirated and as expected, Windows Update is disabled, i got alot of tons of viruses easily but also new programs refuse to work without all Win Update installed, this changed after i install the legit, up to date version and use Windows Update frequently.
btw I also used 8.1 when 7 out of support aswell and so with programs gets dropped, and it's already hit the limitations of my old 2009 PC, but as 8.1 also out aswell, I decided to pick Win10 LTSC 2021 as an option, but before that, i also tried LTSB 2016, LTSC 2019 respectively, but they got some compatibility problems with newer programs requiring latest ver of Win10.
In fact, even with 7 (with or without ESU) and 8.1 EOS, it's server counter part like Server 2008 R2 or even 2012 R2 will have ESU and people (mostly fans of the older OS) will create a patch that allow you to install Server ESU updates on it."
Sometimes, we can't help people who can't help themselves. It's like wearing a mask (or not) and social distancing during the pandemic. If you're vulnerable wear a mask, social distance, wash your hands well, social distance, don't eat in restaurants, etc. The same is true with your PC. Take the necessary steps by not going anywhere where you put yourself at risk.
However, we all know that "freeDUMB" is more important than taking precautions and restrictions.
NoneRain - 1 year ago
ATM is not connected to the internet... It doesn't matter what system they're running.
ThomasMann - 1 year ago
Of course you are right... Virus on an ATM!!! Really shows you the stringent thinking of the "specialists" here.
This whole discussion is about people who would love their wishful thinking to become obligatory for others too.
Almost all virusses require some stupid action from a user to be installed. If that is the category you belong to, then use 11 and start praying...
Hmm888 - 1 year ago
"Of course you are right... Virus on an ATM!!! Really shows you the stringent thinking of the "specialists" here.
This whole discussion is about people who would love their wishful thinking to become obligatory for others too.
Almost all virusses require some stupid action from a user to be installed. If that is the category you belong to, then use 11 and start praying..."
The most accurate and intelligent comment I read on social media this year!
JustinFlynn - 1 year ago
Goodbye old friend!
Hmm888 - 1 year ago
"Goodbye old friend!"
No need to say goodbye. Keep your nose clean and don't browse onto unknown websites. Should you run into a website that no longer supports W7 then try rebooting to Linux via Linux USB.
Computerdave911 - 1 year ago
Why is this article suggesting purchasing windows 10, ITS FREE, free for windows 7 or 8 keys to activate, you can run setup after downloading it for free from Microsoft site, and do inplace upgrade or boot to the iso using media creation too link on this page, and after clean install use your windows 7 key to activate after install, inplace upgrade no need the key, https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10
noelprg4 - 1 year ago
time to either move on to either Win10/11 or any flavor of Linux
ThomasMann - 1 year ago
As you may have read, quite a big number of Win7 would not mind switching to Linux....
But, we prefer to wait until they come up with a usable version of Linux.
What Linux Fans always fail to understand is, that some people simply want to use their computer for what their life actually is about.
With Linux, your computer is what your life is all about...
Hmm888 - 1 year ago
"As you may have read, quite a big number of Win7 would not mind switching to Linux....
But, we prefer to wait until they come up with a usable version of Linux.
What Linux Fans always fail to understand is, that some people simply want to use their computer for what their life actually is about.
With Linux, your computer is what your life is all about..."
Will need to do this myself. Not sure how I can do so without wiping W7 in creating a dual partition. Booting from USB on such an old system is quite slow.
ThomasMann - 1 year ago
You are right, that is the first problem of many you will have with Linux. It has the habit of making itself the #1 installation in the bootorder. And you will have to learn all about grub. Forget asking in a Linux Forum. Those pricks will insult you and treat younlike an idiot, because you are not a "superior" Linux user, like the are. I have tried a few times and NOT ONCE did I see a CORRECT instruction how to run Linux parallel to Win7
Here is a suggestion. Something I have been doing for a few years now. Use Macrium Reflect free... You will need a second SSD or HDD, whatever you have. Then use Macrium to make a CLONE of your present installation. Whatever Linux will do your harddisk, you can always overwrite it with clone, and get back to your present state.
Even better is to start with a clean Win7 ínstallation, add ALL updates incl. 11.January 2023, AND all the software you will always use anyway.
THEN make a clone and save it to a spare disk. NOT your main disk
Whatever happens, it takes half an hour to get the perfectly clean fresh install....
I have used that system for a few years, and at every new install I added the updates, and make a fresh clone. Works totally simple... and 100% reliable.
One more thing: After the mess at the beginning of Win11 with its ridiculous restrictions, now there are already ISOs available on the net that allow you to install the latest version of 11 on ANY computer!
Mine here is almost ten years old, has an i7 of the 4th generation! And if I boot into the Win11 installation (also on on a seprate SSD) it works perfectly well, without the slightest hitch !!!
This of course means, that all the restriction that M$ forced on people when the Win 11 came out, simply meant for you to buy new hardware. Typical M$....
kosamja - 1 year ago
"But, we prefer to wait until they come up with a usable version of Linux."
What about Deepin Linux?
grouillier - 4 months ago
"As you may have read, quite a big number of Win7 would not mind switching to Linux....
But, we prefer to wait until they come up with a usable version of Linux."
Those coming from Windows who are interested in checking out Linux might want to look at Ubuntu MATE: https://ubuntu-mate.org/.
The thing of interest to this discussion is MATE, moreso than Ubuntu. In the Linux world, you can select your distribution (analog to Windows as a whole) independently of your graphical environment (called a desktop environment, or DE.) So, MATE on top of *any* distribution will look and act consistently. The nice thing about MATE is that it is very similar in look and feel to Windows 7, so the learning curve is relatively small.
If you just want to check it out before committing, install it in a virtual machine. You can even avoid installing it altogether, and just get a pre-built VM image here:
https://www.osboxes.org/ubuntu-mate/
Hmm888 - 1 year ago
We're living in a very elite and decadent society now where only the wealthy and privilege are able to survive without much grief and effort.
Those that could afford a newer PC would've already upgraded, but Microsoft and bloggers worldwide don't seem to understand that there are people who use PCs who aren't privileged (wealthy).Of course, they probably also believe that these same people choose to be poor.
I think W7 was the best OS there is, WXP was darn close. W8,W10,W11 are all resource hogs and even simple tasks like saving a file in a recent folder is no longer possible.
Rather than taking out (further debt) most consumers especially the elderly and those who are not privileged will need to learn how to use Linux and use that to surf the web and for their day-to-day banking...or just pick up the telephone.