Microsoft Ends Mainstream Win 7 Support

Print

Windows 7Following the end of Window 7 software sales and consumer PC manufacture Microsoft stops "mainstream support" for the venerable operating system on 13 January 2015, leading to an extended support phase.

What does this mean for customers sticking with older versions of the OS? In a few words, Windows 7 will not receive new features or updates, such as DirectX 12. However the company will continue to issue critical security patches and hotfixes-- at least until 14 January 2020, the official extended support deadline.

Released in 2009, Windows 7 was the popular (sales reached over 100 million in the first 6 months) successor to Windows Vista. It remains preferred by at least some customers, since it retains the familiar Windows UI Microsoft decided to scrap in the Windows 8 redesign.

Of course Microsoft would prefer it if all moved to the latest version of Windows-- the one we should learn more about come 21 January 2015 during the "Windows 10: the Next Chapter" event.

Go Windows Lifecycle Fact Sheet