Windows 7 End of Support

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    Windows 7 End of Support

    Windows 7 End of Support


    Last Updated: 10 Jan 2023 at 09:39
    Windows 7 End of Support-esu_support.png

    Make the shift from Windows 7 and Office 2010 to Windows 10 and Office 365.

    Support for Windows 7 will end on January 14, 2020. Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or technical support for devices running Windows 7 operating systems. That’s why it’s time to make the shift to Windows 10 today.

    Office 2010 will reach its end of support on October 13, 2020. If you haven't already begun to upgrade your Office 2010 environment, we recommend you start now.

    Microsoft made a commitment to provide 10 years of product support for Windows 7 when it was released on October 22, 2009. This 10-year period has now ended, and Microsoft has discontinued Windows 7 support so that we can focus our investment on supporting newer technologies and great new experiences. The specific end of support day for Windows 7 was January 14, 2020. Technical assistance and software updates from Windows Update that help protect your PC are no longer available for the product. Microsoft strongly recommends that you move to Windows 10 to avoid a situation where you need service or support that is no longer available.

    What does end of support mean for me?
    After January 14, 2020, PCs running Windows 7 no longer receive security updates. Therefore, it's important that you upgrade to a modern operating system such as Windows 10, which can provide the latest security updates to help keep you and your data safer. In addition, Microsoft customer service is no longer available to provide Windows 7 technical support. Related services for Windows 7 are also also being discontinued over time. For example, certain games such as Internet Backgammon and Internet Checkers as well as Electronic Program Guide for Windows Media Center are scheduled to be discontinued in January 2020.

    What should I do?
    For most Windows 7 users, moving to a new device with Windows 10 is the recommended path forward. Today's PCs are faster, lightweight yet powerful, and more secure, with an average price that's considerably less than that of the average PC eight years ago. Our Guide can help you choose a new PC in just a few easy steps.

    Want to learn more about Windows 10? Check out our overview page to learn more.

    Can I upgrade my existing PC to Windows 10?
    To take advantage of the latest hardware capabilities, we recommend moving to a new PC with Windows 10. As an alternative, compatible Windows 7 PCs can be upgraded by purchasing and installing a full version of the software. For more information, see Windows 10 upgrade FAQ.

    How can I upgrade to Windows 10 for free?
    The Windows 10 free upgrade offer ended on July 29, 2016. To get Windows 10 you will need to either purchase a new device or, if you have a compatible PC, purchase a full version of the software to upgrade your existing device. We recommend that you don’t install Windows 10 on an older device, as some Windows 7 devices are not compatible with Windows 10 or could experience reduced feature availability.

    How to Upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 7 for Free

    What happens if I continue to use Windows 7?
    If you continue to use Windows 7 after support has ended, your PC will still work, but it will be more vulnerable to security risks and viruses. Your PC will continue to start and run, but will no longer receive software updates, including security updates, from Microsoft.

    Can Windows 7 still be activated after January 14, 2020?
    Windows 7 can still be installed and activated after end of support; however, it will be more vulnerable to security risks and viruses due to the lack of security updates. After January 14, 2020, Microsoft strongly recommends that you use Windows 10 instead of Windows 7.

    Will Internet Explorer still be supported on Windows 7?
    Support for Internet Explorer on a Windows 7 device was also discontinued on January 14, 2020. As a component of Windows, Internet Explorer follows the support lifecycle of the Windows operating system it’s installed on. See Lifecycle FAQ – Internet Explorer for more information.

    Will Microsoft Security Essentials continue to protect my PC after end of support?
    Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) will continue to receive signature updates after January 14, 2020. However, the MSE platform is no longer being updated. Click here to learn more about learn more about Microsoft Security Essentials.

    What if I'm running Windows 7 Enterprise?
    If you are using Windows as part of a work environment, we recommend you check first with your IT department or see Windows 10 deployment support to learn more.

    What about Windows 7 Embedded?
    Windows for embedded devices such as ATMs or gas pumps have lifecycle dates that sometimes differ from versions of Windows that are used on PC devices.

    Can I move my existing programs to a new Windows 10 PC?
    For the best possible experience, we recommend doing a fresh installation of your programs and apps on your new Windows 10 PC. Microsoft Store has a variety of third-party apps that can be easily downloaded and installed. On your Windows 10 PC, you can open Microsoft Store by selecting the icon on the taskbar or by searching for "Microsoft Store" in the search box on the taskbar.

    For any software not currently available in Microsoft Store, we recommend going to that company's official website and downloading the Windows 10 version from there. In limited circumstances, some older software may not have an updated version that's compatible with Windows 10.

    How will Windows 7 end of support affect my Microsoft Office apps?
    Your experience may be different depending on the Office version you're running. To learn more, see Windows 7 end of support and Office. It's important to note that Windows 7 itself no longer receives security updates, leaving your device vulnerable to security threats. As such, if you're running Microsoft Office on a Windows 7 PC, we recommend you move to a new Windows 10 PC.

    Why did I receive a notification about Windows 7?
    Support for Windows 7 came to an end on January 14, 2020. You are receiving notifications as a Windows 7 customer to remind you that your device is no longer supported and no longer receiving security updates. We recommend moving to a new PC with Windows 10. More information on the notification is available here.


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    Brink's Avatar Posted By: Brink
    02 Aug 2018



  1. Posts : 51,354
    Windows 11 Workstation x64
       #1

    I'm pretty surprised the W7 die hards are not all over this!!!

    W10 FTW
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 71,959
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

      My Computer


  3. Posts : 1,364
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #3

    z3r010 said:
    I'm pretty surprised the W7 die hards are not all over this!!!
    is it because we know W10 will be in the history books in 2020?

    -
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 336
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64
       #4

    Maybe it's because we're too busy celebrating the fact that in 2020 we'll be finally rid of the monthly malware that Microsoft insist on dumping on us currently!
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 4,049
    W7 Ultimate SP1, LM19.2 MATE, W10 Home 1703, W10 Pro 1703 VM, #All 64 bit
       #5

    OK, I'll bite ...


    Seffrid said:
    Maybe it's because we're too busy celebrating the fact that in 2020 we'll be finally rid of the monthly malware that Microsoft insist on dumping on us currently!

    I've given up on installing MS' garbage code updates and (surprise, surprise) my PC is running smoothly.
    This tactic also works on W10.


    I was reading another thread and decided to try out UserBenchMark.

    They gave my machine a low rating (not surprising because of its age).
    They suggested that I should connect my SSD to a SATA 3 port, despite my motherboard not having any.
    When I scrolled further down the report, it indicated that my machine significantly outperformed other machines with the same motherboard.

    They also suggested I should switch to W10
    Given that (on my laptop) I've had to reinstall W10 Home 4 times since its release, I had to laugh.
    For comparison, that's more times than for W98, XP, or W7 over a similar time period (3 years).

    To be fair, since I disconnected it from our network, so that MS' "helpful" updates/upgrades can't reach it, W10 Home 1703 has run flawlessly.
    The same is true for my W10 Pro 1703 VM too.

    "Cloud" Office offers nothing I need (or want) compared to Office 2007 or Office 2010.
    I haven't been able to install an Office 2010 update since November 2015.
    Maybe that's why it still works.
    Last edited by lehnerus2000; 05 Aug 2018 at 07:21. Reason: Title
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 1,797
    Win 7 Ultimate, Win 8.1 Pro, Linux Mint 19 Cinnamon (All 64-Bit)
       #6

    "That’s why it’s time to make the shift to Windows 10 today."

    Dear MS, thank you so much for your kind advice! Duly noted and ignored until 2023. Hopefully, by that time, you'll have reliable updates that don't require me to use a workaround or fix every month.

    Yours faithfully,
    The Windows 7 die hard club!
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 101
    Win 7 Home Premium x64 SP1
       #7

    Brds7t7 said:
    "That’s why it’s time to make the shift to Windows 10 today."

    Dear MS, thank you so much for your kind advice! Duly noted and ignored until 2023. Hopefully, by that time, you'll have reliable updates that don't require me to use a workaround or fix every month.

    Yours faithfully,
    The Windows 7 die hard club!

    +1. Couldn't have said it better, myself!
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 714
    Win 7 Pro, SP1, x86, Win-11/Pro/64
       #8

    z3r010 said:
    I'm pretty surprised the W7 die hards are not all over this!!!

    W10 FTW

    And, just what makes you think we're not!!!


    Those of us who have made W7 our OS of choice will never fully embrace Windows 10 in any version.
    Some may install Windows 10 in one version or another, just to be compatible with certain apps. But they'll probably install "The Classic Shell" for personal compatibility.


    As for Office....??? I and millions of other users just use Open Office. It's cheap and just works like a champ.


    Cheers Mates!
    TechnoMage
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1,384
    Win 7 Ult 64-bit
       #9

    I'm with you, TechnoMage2016

    Open Office. And I stopped adding Win 7 updates last December. I used Win XP on the web for 3 years after security updates stopped, without a hiccup. And if Win 7 is as beloved as XP, MS will reset EOL 3 or 4 times. When I'm forced to use 10, it will be on my secondary computer, not my primary.
      My Computer


 
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