Windows 7 support will no longer be available for its users.
In what seems to be the sad news for millions of the users of Windows 7 Operating System worldwide, its creator, Microsoft has made it clear that security supports for its nearly a decade old operating system will officially be ended by January 14, 2020.
The process for rolling out an update to Windows 7 has already been initiated by the software maker, along with informing the users that the support for the Windows 7 OS will officially be terminated on 14th of January 2020.
An official notification implying the eventual demise of Windows 7 support prompts users to upgrade their “close to being redundant” OS to its rather more upgraded counterpart called Windows 10. To be noted here is that the software marker avoids explicitly mentioning Windows 10 for a possible migration to Windows 7.
Besides, the company has stated that the users will keep receiving notifications on April 18th, thus permitting them enough time to opt for an upgraded OS.
However, the implication is not lost to the users.
What if supports for Windows 7 end?
Latest security updates for Windows 7 will not be provided to the users.
In that case, there will be a likelihood of your computer system running on Windows 7 getting more vulnerable to cyber threats like viruses, malware, spyware, and a host of similar threats which may compromise security and privacy of your system.
Microsoft recommends people buying a new PC having Windows 10 preinstalled to avoid grave risk of cyberattacks.
What if users want to stay on Windows 7 past next year with extended support?
Users not wanting to migrate or would like to stick with Windows 7 after the expiration of public support for the OS, they will have to pay certain prices for extended security updates for Windows 7.
Here’s the price model (for businesses):
- Year 1 (January 2020 through January 2021): Windows 7 Pro is $50 per device, Windows Enterprise (add-on) is $25 per device.
- Year 2 (January 2021 through January 2022): Windows 7 Pro is $100 per device, Windows Enterprise (add-on) is $50 per device.
- Year 3 (January 2022 through January 2023): Windows 7 Pro is $200 per device, Windows Enterprise (add-on) is $100 per device.
Microsoft will gradually increase the cost for a subscription to extended security updates and technical support for Windows 7 in due course of time.
Meaning? To prompt users to migrate to Windows 10, a rather more cost-effective option.
Brad Anderson, Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President of Enterprise Experiences at Microsoft has said that the users of Windows 7 have plenty of time to upgrade their Windows 7, adding that the upgrade will give users superior stability and security as some potent benefits.
As tends to be the case; none can predict for sure how many businesses will continue to rely on Windows 7 for their commercial application or upgrade to Windows 10.
Factors like cost and risks both will matter in taking a decision; to stay and risk running into problems, or upgrade to get assisted by Microsoft.