On January 10, 2023, Microsoft will stop providing technical support and security updates for Windows 7 and 8.1. This will also mark the launch of Microsoft Edge 109, which will be the last version to support these two operating systems.
Edge isn’t the only major browser ditching Windows 7 and 8.1. In October, Google announced that Chrome will end support for Windows 7 and 8.1 on February 7th. Although both browsers will continue to work on these devices, they won’t receive any critical security updates or new features. WebView2, which allows developers to embed web content in their apps, will also be discontinued on January 10.
Next week’s deadline leaves little time for the owners of machines still running Windows 7,estimated at about 100 million as of 2021. But to be fair, Microsoft had announced the end-of-life time period for Windows 7 and 8 back when Windows 11 was launched.
These operating systems will still work just fine, but not being able to update will expose users to viruses, and security problems that emerge later. A Lansweeper survey of 27 million Windows devices performed last October found more PCs running either XP, 7, or 8 than the number running Windows 11.
Microsoft gave users plenty of notice, though, and first announced the end of support for Windows 7 in 2020. Only those who purchased an additional three years of extended security patches are still eligible for updates.
It’s a good time to upgrade to Windows 10 or 11 if you have a Windows 7 or 8.1 device. If that’s not possible, Microsoft recommends replacing your PC with a newer one before January 10th.
