Microsoft has pulled the plug on the last remaining support for the much-loved Windows 7. Crucial updates were still trickling into Windows 7 through the company’s Extended Security Updates program, which allowed users with older devices to run legacy applications through the old software and kept out vulnerabilities.
When it announced the end of Windows 7 support on January 20, 2020, Microsoft said Extended Security Updates would run through January 2023. That end date has now arrived.
Windows 7 was launched back in 2009. After six years, it reached its end of support in January 2015 and five years later, Microsoft ended extended support. The Extended Security Update was the only way to access Windows 7 after this for customers using old PCs and for those who wanted to run legacy Microsoft products.
It's not just Windows 7 — Microsoft has also ended support for Windows 8 and 8.1. It's possible Windows 8 users may still be able to access some of the software updates through the ESU program.
What the end of Windows 7 support could mean for your old PC
If you are one of the few users still holding on to Windows 7, it might be finally time to say goodbye to your old system with an upgrade. Your old PC or device that was still using Windows 7 will be forced to update directly to Windows 10 or Windows 11 to continue receiving latest security updates and to also keep Chrome working.
Chrome 110 is scheduled to be launched by Google later next month and Chrome 109 is the last version of Chrome that will support Windows 7, 8 or 8.1. That means like other applications, Chrome will stop working instantly on either operating sytem. But the bigger risk with Windows 7 over the last few years has been that it could easily be infected by malware.
Microsoft has advised Windows 7 customers to shift to Windows 10, saying, “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.”
The company also adds the caveat that Windows 10 is expected to reach its end of support date on October 14, 2025.
In case your device doesn’t meet the technical requirements for a recent Windows update, Microsoft says it would be advisable to replace that PC with one that supports the latest Windows 11.
Windows 11 launched in 2021 and Microsoft has been steadily patching it up and improving it ever since. It's a simpler, more streamlined and a secure spin on Windows 10 and it is Microsoft’s vision for the future of PC operating systems.
The latest Windows also has many new features and apps like Voice Access, that will let you control your Windows 11 PC with your voice, Live Captions that provides captions for audio playing on your PC, in real time and many other tweaks and upgrades within different apps, settings and programs.
If you want to check if your device is Windows 11 compatible, here are the Windows 11 system requirements. If it turns out you do need new hardware, check out our guide to the best Windows laptops.
You can also read our complete guide on if you should upgrade to Windows 11 in case you are still on the fence between Windows 10 and Windows 11. You can also check out how to upgrade to Windows 10 for free.
