From 2020 Onwards, Microsoft Will Stop Supporting Windows 7 PCs

Microsoft Windows 10 for PCs will soon become the only software option for PC users in the world.

Windows 7 is still the popular choice for many people in markets like India. 

(Photo: The Quint)

You have one more year from Microsoft to use Windows 7 on systems with official software updates.

Yes, Microsoft this week has confirmed that all its existing Windows 7 PC users will have no option, but to upgrade to Windows 10 before 2020 kicks in. This has been informed via a blog post which says that the popular Windows version will stop getting security updates from the software giant.

The blog specifically mentions that post 14 January 2020, Windows 7 devices will not get official support from the company, which effectively makes a Windows 10 upgrade the only option.

In addition to Windows 7, from the same date, Microsoft will also put an end to its Internet Explorer web browser, which will be replaced with Edge.

This is what the official message on Microsoft’s website for software support says.

Time to switch to Windows 10. (Photo: Microsoft)

All good things must come to an end, even Windows 7. After January 14, 2020, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or support for PCs running Windows 7. But you can keep the good times rolling by moving to Windows 10.

<a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsforbusiness/end-of-windows-7-support">Windows blog</a>

Having said that, even after Microsoft ends support for the older OS, users would still be able to operate it, but would not receive any security, software or feature updates. Basically, this means running their machines with the risk of getting ravaged by all kinds of viruses and bugs.

Windows 7 was released in October 2009, less than three years after the release of its predecessor, Windows Vista, and managed to win over millions of Windows users, even after its successor Windows 8 was rolled out.

This news is interesting also because a few months back Microsoft said that Windows 7 professional and regular version users can continue using them for at least another five years. Yes, that’s right, until 2023.

Turns out for every update cycle that a user’s Windows 7 device goes through till 2023, they will be charged. This means, the longer you stick to using Windows 7 and take its software updates, the costlier it will get.

Users in markets like India will have a hard time adjusting to this change, especially when they might have to buy a new system with Windows 10.

According to Microsoft, users looking to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 need a system with at least a 1GHz processor, 2GB RAM and up to 20GB space on the hard disk. Also, your PC should support DirectX 9 graphics processor.