Lately, Microsoft announced the End of Life of its Windows 7 Professional and Enterprise editions. From tomorrow i.e: January 10, 2023, Microsoft will not offer to extend security updates for critical vulnerabilities.
Back in October 2009, Microsoft launched Windows 7 and later reached end of support in January 2015 and extended end of support in January 2020.
People who needed to use Microsoft’s legacy operating system had the Extended Security Update Program to run it. While Windows 8.1 will also reach End of Life on the same day.
Microsoft Explained, 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.
Note: Windows 10 will reach the End of life date on October 14, 2025. So, users should consider whether to upgrade to Windows 10.
Microsoft recommends users use Windows 11 and leverage the latest hardware capabilities.
Popular stats counter website Statcounter GlobalStats, Windows 7 is installed on 11% of Windows systems across the globe while Windows 8.1 is installed on 2.59% of devices.
Meanwhile, Microsoft Edge 109 will be the last version of the browser that will be supporting Windows 7 and Windows 8/ 8.1.
Microsoft Edge will likewise roll out the last version of the chromium-based browser for Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 2012 R2.
Google Chrome will also end support for Windows 7 and 8.1 starting February 2023.
