This is the end, Windows 7 and 8 friends. Microsoft support ends this week
- Reference: 1673287211
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2023/01/09/microsoft_windows_7_8_support_ends/
- Source link:
As Microsoft has been warning, the company is yanking support for [1]Windows 7 Extended Security Update (ESU) and [2]Windows 8 and 8.1 on Tuesday, January 10, which means users of those OSes will need to shift to Windows 10 or 11 to continue getting technical assistance and software updates.
This includes crucial security updates that were still coming to Windows 7 systems via the ESU program even though most other support for the OS ended in January 2020. The company said it will not extend a similar ESU program for Windows 8 or 8.1.
[3]
"If you have devices running Windows 8.1, we recommend upgrading them to a more current, in-service, and supported Windows release," wrote in a [4]document about the end of Windows 8.1 support ending. "If devices do not meet the technical requirements to run a more current release of Windows, we recommend that you replace the device with one that supports Windows 11."
Over one in 10 Windows PCs affected
A lot of users have some decisions to make. According to StatCounter, Windows 7 runs on more than [5]11 percent of desktops worldwide, while Windows 8.1 runs on 2.59 percent. Windows 8 accounts for less than 1 percent of all redmond-powered desktops.
By comparison, Windows 10 is on 68 percent of machines and Windows 11 – which has seen relatively slow adoption among consumers – is on about 17 percent. However, large organizations, which typically lag consumer adoption of OSes, are [6]beginning to test Windows 11 in earnest.
[7]
[8]
Microsoft is pushing Windows 7 users to make the move to Windows 11, writing in a support [9]document that "PCs have changed substantially since Windows 7 was first released 10 years ago. Today's computers are faster, more powerful, and sleeker – plus they come with Windows 11 already installed."
It wrote that most Windows 7 machines don't meet the hardware requirements for upgrading to Windows 11, but added that users have the option to upgrade their Windows 7 PCs to Windows 10 instead. However, support for Windows 10 will end October 14, 2025, so they will have to weigh whether to take that intermediate step to Windows 10 or go all in with Windows 11.
[10]
The changes aren't ending there. Microsoft's version 109 of both its Edge browser and WebView2 Runtime [11]will be the last to support Windows 7, 8, and 8.1. Both are scheduled to be released this week. The timeline will apply to both the Evergreen and Fixed versions of the WebView2 Runtime.
[12]Microsoft: Whoops, Patch Tuesday might screw your database connections
[13]Windows 11 still not winning the OS popularity contest
[14]If you're still on Windows 7/8.1, it's time to say goodbye to Google Chrome
[15]More than 4 in 10 PCs still can't upgrade to Windows 11
"While Microsoft Edge and WebView2 Runtime versions 109 and earlier will continue to work on these operating systems, those versions will not receive new features, future security updates, or bug fixes," Microsoft's Edge team wrote. "Microsoft Edge version 109 will also be the last supported version for Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 2012 R2. Internet Explorer 11 will remain supported on those operating systems for as long as they are in support."
Google also is waving the warning flag, [16]saying that Chrome 109 is the last version of its operating system to support Windows 7, 8, and 8.1. Chrome 110 is tentatively schedule for release February 7 and will be the first Chrome version to require Windows 10 or 11.
"Older versions of Chrome will continue to work, but there will be no further updates released for users on these operating systems," Google wrote in an advisory. "If you are currently on Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1, we encourage you to move to a supported Windows version to ensure you continue to receive the latest security updates and Chrome features." ®
Get our [17]Tech Resources
[1] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-7
[2] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-81
[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2Y7yckbwy84iiv-NYjrV@aAAAAA8&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[4] https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-8-1-support-will-end-on-january-10-2023-3cfd4cde-f611-496a-8057-923fba401e93
[5] https://gs.statcounter.com/os-version-market-share/windows/desktop/worldwide
[6] https://www.theregister.com/2023/01/05/corporate_enterprise_windows_11_pilots_/
[7] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Y7yckbwy84iiv-NYjrV@aAAAAA8&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[8] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33Y7yckbwy84iiv-NYjrV@aAAAAA8&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[9] https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/windows-7-end-of-support-and-office-78f20fab-b57b-44d7-8368-06a8493f3cb9
[10] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Y7yckbwy84iiv-NYjrV@aAAAAA8&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[11] https://blogs.windows.com/msedgedev/2022/12/09/microsoft-edge-and-webview2-ending-support-for-windows-7-and-windows-8-8-1/
[12] https://www.theregister.com/2022/12/08/microsoft_windows_update_odbc/
[13] https://www.theregister.com/2022/12/05/windows_11_adoption_november_statcounter/
[14] https://www.theregister.com/2022/10/25/chrome_support_windows_7/
[15] https://www.theregister.com/2022/10/10/windows_11_adoption/
[16] https://support.google.com/chrome/thread/185534985/sunsetting-support-for-windows-7-8-1-in-early-2023?hl=en
[17] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
If the games are on Steam, then you probably don't need Windows for them either. I'm running Steam on Linux, and have yet to find a game that doesn't work - some even work better, as in less buggy, than on Windows. For example, a number of bugs in oldie-but-goodie Dead Island on Windows are not present on Linux, so I assume some support in the Wine based stuff is better than on native Windows.
Hate to say it, but so what?
Older, out-of-support versions of Windows will become more easily hacked.
Was it really all that much better when they were supported?
The majority of hacking attacks these days seem to be looking for Windows 10 and 11 ... let's face it, there are a lot more people with "updated" operating systems who are more likely to think that they need to open their newpaymentdetails.pdf.img email attachments. The advantage of running XP and Windows 7 is that you know the internet is risky so the hacking level ends up being lower with very old operating systems.
Micro$oft update$
... which means users of those OSes will need to shift to Windows 10 or 11 buying new computers ... FTFY
I'm current working to update one of our applications' documentation - it was originally written for researchers and programmers using WIndows XP to provide them with specific clinical data access - we updated it a little and it still runs fine on Windows11 - but using Windows11 to update the user documentation is a total pain although I'm getting it done.
Windows Upgrades are actually Windows Upyourarsegrades but originally when users had to buy a new CD or floppy disk to upgrade (I was happy because it worked well), all the computer manufacturers were continually bitching that Microsoft Upgrades did not require that users bought new devices, those manufacturers are happy these days ...
Windows users are now just corporate food.
I'm OK with Chrome no longer being supported
but the question is will it stop slurping our browsing data ?
"Time has run out for users of legacy operating systems"
Yep. You had better migrate away from legacy operating systems like Windows sooner rather than later!
And until then, you might as well keep with 7 since it shares the same kernel as 11 and is just as legacy regardless of what its peddlers say!
If I need Windows....
that intermediate step to Windows 10 or go all in with Windows 11. Did you forget /s ? I tried Win11 last week, everything was fine until the desktop appeared*. If I need windows, Win10 will have to suffice.
*The fastest trail run since I tried Slackware back in 2010.
Forced Upgrades
Microsoft: up your nose with a rubber hose. I don't enjoy big-studio computer games so much that I'm willing to pay the Microsoft O.S. fees and the hardware fees -- buying new computers and buying new peripherals, as the old peripherals are not supported under the new OS. Further, many old peripherals and adaptors have no Win 10/Win 11 equivalents.
Mine's the one with a floppy with a copy of DOSBOX and a DOS-based accounting package -->
For once, I recommend the new PC route
But only because I fancy getting a couple of cheap second hand machines for some projects, and the glut of still-perfectly-useful ones that will become available should mean that the prices drop like a stone.
Upgraded my Surface Pro to Windows 10...
.... its tablet mode is a joke.
Early Doors?
My friend
2023 is the year of the Linux desktop /s
Ahh Windows 11… actually it’s pretty good, but a shame it only supports TPM2 systems as lots of old kit would run it perfectly well.
The only real challenge I have with ‘11 is the combine taskbar tabs in to a single item, and I have to use 3rd party software to unmangle them.
Windows is the family productivity platform, appletvs the entertainment platform, and a couple of raspberry pis doing some networky vpny stuff (arr me hearties); I’d love to replace my desktops and media players with Linux but even with a bit of experience it’s too hard to choose a distro as the design changes between major revisions are even more puzzling than those that Redmond impose on us… and if you can’t just do Netflix or prime straight out of the box sometimes convenience outweighs the urge to wear my FOSS sandals and white socks.
So.. the boy got a new gaming laptop, wifey gets a new iPad and I got a steamdeck. Only one of us needs to worry about Win11 now!
Re: 2023 is the year of the Linux desktop /s
Plenty of choice is pretty good. Put Gentoo on it and it will heat your house too.
Re: 2023 is the year of the Linux desktop /s
Won't be the boy though - it will still be you that has to worry about Windows 11
"Dad, my laptop ain't working! Can you fix it?"
Microsoft Edge ... will continue to work...
Microsoft Edge ... will continue to work...
I wish that had been true. What actually happened is that after saying Edge would no longer be updated, MS sent me an update that broke edge on Win7. I was on the Canary distribution, if that makes a difference.
I rolled back to v109, but in the process lost all my favorites/bookmarks. Not a happy camper
Re: Microsoft Edge ... will continue to work...
I was on the Canary distribution,
I don't recommend Beta versions or Insider Builds unless you can fix it when it breaks/glitches. No back up of your bookmarks?
We have a couple of Win7 boxes that exist just for legacy software. They are not on the wild web, not on "extended support", and frankly not worth the trouble of even trying to update.
We have one application that demands Win 8.1 or 10 (not 7, not 11) and might try and get an old laptop to run that, but for the others we would rather get FOSS replacements for the web-cam software, etc, working instead of wrestling win10/11 to work reliably and securely and also having the jump through the licensing hoops for that.
I'll take door number three.
Do you have a choice? The really microsoft part about all of it is they will continue to shove a 32 bit OS inside your 64 bit OS because... why not more bloat?
Ramp.....Money......
@Jeff_Burt
Quote: "...most Windows 7 machines don't meet the hardware requirements for upgrading to Windows 11..."
Ha....the usual M$ ramp....spend more money on M$ approved hardware.....spend more money on Window$......
My experience.....Windows 98 was a nightmare.....Windows 8 was a nightmare....Windows 8.1 was a nightmare.....
Eventually every machine here at Linux Mansions was running.........................Linux!!
Now.....Linux requires some effort and commitment.....and for me it's turned out to be not only productive, but a useful educational experience as well...................
.................and I have not had regular requests for more money.....either from Bill Gates or from Jeff Burt!!!
I will dual boot with Linux as I only use Windows 7 for Offline gaming anyway.