It was the operating system that changed the computer game: Windows 7 and 8. Microsoft has announced the end of support for these much-admired operating systems. After 12 years of service, Microsoft is pulling the plug on Windows 7, while Windows 8 users have just one more year as support officially ends on January 12, 2023.
The announcement was made by Microsoft in fall 2020, with its official statement reading: “We can confirm that Microsoft will end support for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 on January 12, 2023. Customers using these versions should migrate to Windows 10 to avoid a service interruption.”
Microsoft has long been a leader in operating systems for computers and their decision to end support for an operating system after only 12 years is unprecedented. It’s an indication of how much the tech landscape has changed since Windows 7 and 8 were first released.
Windows 7 still commands a 28.2 percent share of the global market, and Windows 8 (and 8.1) is still used by 6.4 percent of the world’s computers. As such, Microsoft’s retirement of these two operating systems will no doubt affect many different users.
Those that do not migrate away from these operating systems will be left vulnerable to viruses and malware, as support for both platforms has already ceased in the form of security updates. Additionally, those still running Windows 7 will also be unable to use certain newer applications and programs, as these generally require more modern versions of Windows, with Windows 8 users facing a similar issue due to lacking certain features in Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer.
For anyone still thinking of remaining on either Windows 7 or 8, Microsoft has released a tool called the Windows 10 Upgrade Assistant which will help users to transfer their existing data and apps. It’s arguably the easiest and least disruptive way of moving away from these aging operating systems, with assistance for the whole process of upgrading.
So, the time has come to say goodbye to two operating systems that revolutionized the computer world when they were first released between 2009 and 2012. For Windows 7 and 8 users, there is no better time than now to make the move over to Windows 10, and enjoy the improved performance and features that come with the newer operating system.
