What you need to know
- Microsoft has expanded Windows 8 extended security updates for small and midsize businesses.
- Extended security updates will be available through January of 2023.
- Windows 7 will reach end-of-support status on January 14, 2020.
Microsoft announced today that it will offer Windows 7 extended security updates (ESU) for small and midsize businesses. With Windows 7 set to hit end-of-support on January 14, 2020, this expansion means all business users will be able to take advantage of ESUs for a fee.
From Microsoft:
While many of you are well on your way to deploying Windows 10, we understand that everyone is at a different point in the upgrade process. With that in mind, today we are announcing that, through January 2023, we will extend the availability of paid Windows 7 Extended Security Updates (ESU) to businesses of all sizes.
Prior to today's announcement, ESUs were only set to be available for enterprises with volume licensing in place. Like Microsoft's previous plans to offer ESUs to enterprise customers, small and midsize businesses will be able to secure further updates on a per-device basis with the fee set to increase each year.
Starting December 1, businesses will be able to secure paid ESUs through the Cloud Solution Provider program. Extended updates will be serviced through January of 2023. For more information, you can check out Microsoft's FAQ page for Windows 7's end-of-support plans.
