Windows 7 is nearing its end of life, and Microsoft has announced when it's shuttering support and security updates for the operating system.
Mark the date: It's Jan. 14, 2020.
Windows 7's Last Day Of Support
Recently, Microsoft launched a Windows 7 patch (aka KB4493132) that comes with a new prompt that reminds — or, in some cases, nags — users to upgrade to Windows 10. It also has a warning that tells users that security updates and the like will stop coming starting on Jan. 14.
"After 10 years of servicing, January 14, 2020, is the last day Microsoft will offer security updates for computers running Windows 7 SP1," the summary of the patch notes reads.
Microsoft promised 10 years' worth of support for Windows 7 when it launched the OS back in October 2009. Now, as the company explains, it's discontinuing any form of assistance and software updates so that it can focus on "supporting newer technologies and great new experiences."
Support for Internet Explorer on Windows 7 is also ending on the same day.
It's worth mentioning that Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Enterprise users can avail Extended Security Updates to prolong support until 2023.
No Rush To Upgrade
For those who are still on the fence about upgrading to Windows 10, there's plenty of time left before the deadline arrives. On top of that, users can even put it off well beyond Jan. 14 since the option to upgrade will still be available then, though it's not recommended because of the security risks it entails.
On a related note, Microsoft has been slowly chipping away at Windows 7 as of late. As evidence to that, Windows Media Player and Windows Media Center have lost features here and there not too long ago.
It's no secret that the company has been pushing users to switch to Windows 10, telling them that it's for security purposes. Despite that, some people still want to stick with the old OS. It was only recently that Windows 10 managed to overtake the Windows 7 as the most popular OS in the world, after all.
