Windows 7 End of Life

Windows 7 End of Life Date: 1/14/2020

By now you have probably heard that very soon Microsoft will no longer be supporting Windows 7. What this means is as of 1/14/2020, Microsoft will no longer provide security or bug fixes to Windows 7, and very quickly other software providers will begin to do the same. If you still have 1 or more devices running Windows 7, now is the time to plan to upgrade.

Why is this happening?

Often people ask me, why are they not supporting it any longer? Well the answer is simple, Microsoft has a 10 year standard support cycle for their Operating Systems. Windows 7 was released in October of 2009, and is now approaching the 10 year mark. Microsoft extended the support through January as they know how many people are still using it.

Can I still use it?

You can still use your Windows 7 computer after January 14, 2020. If you do this, you will no longer receive security updates. Microsoft routinely sends out security updates to fix newly discovered flaws with their software. After 1/14/20, there will be no more updates sent out for standard users.

Can I pay for updates?

Yes you can. Microsoft has decided this time around that they will allow extended support at a cost in some circumstances. If you are using Windows 7 Pro or enterprise and under volume licensing, you can pay to receive updates for up to 3 years after the End of Life date. Windows 7 Pro is $50 for year 1, $100 for year 2, and $150 for year 3. This gets very expensive, so it is only a good option if you have crucial applications that are not compatible with windows 10. Ultimately you should plan to upgrade sooner rather than later.

Why You Should Upgrade:

Windows 7 was, and still is a great operating system and we find many people prefer it to the modern counterpart. With Microsoft ending support, keeping your computer(s) on Windows 7 creates a big security issue for your business. There are security vulnerabilities being discovered almost daily, and the updates that Microsoft and other companies provide allow you to keep your devices safe. No more support from Microsoft means no more security updates, and that means your business is now vulnerable to attack.