Microsoft will stop security updates and technical support for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 on January 10. For the millions of users still running Windows 7 on their PCs, time is running out. It also marks the imminent launch of Microsoft Edge 109, the last version to support these older Windows operating systems.
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Microsoft Edge is not the only major browser to ditch Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. Last October, Google announced that Chrome would end support for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 on February 7 this year. While both browsers will continue to work on these devices, they won’t receive any critical security updates or new features. Support for WebView2, the tool that allows developers to embed web-based content into their apps, will also end on January 10.
According to the report, in 2021, there will be about 100 million devices still running Windows 7. After the technical support is discontinued, these users will face the security risk of using outdated operating systems and browsers. Last October, Lansweeper surveyed 27 million Windows devices and found that there are more PCs running Windows XP, Windows 7, or Windows 8 than Windows 11.
However, Microsoft has notified users to upgrade long in advance, and announced for the first time that it will end mainstream support for Windows 7 in 2020. The only ones who are still receiving updates are those who paid for an additional three years of extended security patches.
If you have a device running Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, now might be a good time to download and upgrade to Windows 10 or Windows 11 on your computer. If you do not choose to upgrade your system, Microsoft recommends replacing or buying new devices that come pre-installed with the latest Windows 11 system before January 10 to avoid any potential security issues.
