What you need to know
- Windows 7 support officially ends today.
- After support ends, the operating system will no longer receive security updates, technical support, or any software updates.
- Some estimate that 300 million devices still run Windows 7.
Windows 7 support officially ends today. Microsoft warned people repeatedly to help them prepare for today, and now the end of support has officially arrived. Following the end of support, Windows 7 will no longer receive software updates, security updates, or technical support. Microsoft recommends moving to Windows 10 to receive support and updates. You can read answers to common questions about Windows 7 support ending on Microsoft's website
Windows 7 is one of the most-loved versions of Windows ever. There are still many companies and people who choose to stay on it. Some estimate that approximately 300 million devices still run Windows 7. That being said, Windows comes with a plethora of features that make it worth upgrading to in the eyes of many. Windows 10 has been out for years, meaning it's received several meaningful major updates and thousands upon thousands of bug fixes.
Windows 10 November 2019 Update: What is it, and what's included?
Even though Microsoft claims that support for the free Windows 10 upgrade offer is over, you can still take advantage of it. Microsoft seems to turn a blind eye to anyone who uses the Windows 10 Upgrade website to activate a Windows 10 license with a Windows 7 serial key.
For enterprise scenarios, end of support for Windows 7 could mean putting customers, suppliers, and partners at risk if they're still running Windows 7 PCs, says Kevin Galvin, senior product manager at Quest Software.
"Many businesses are still running Windows 7 because they've been slow to act, hadn't seen it as a priority, or thought of it as too much of a daunting challenge to upgrade all their systems," Galvin says. "Daunting as it may be, we're now at the stage where the best option is to upgrade. However, if businesses cannot and have made arrangements with Microsoft to pay for continued Windows 7 patching support, it is critical that they make sure their patch management system will be able to apply them."
If you upgrade to Windows 10 and miss the look of Windows 7, you can use software like Start10 to make your new operating system look old again.
