Microsoft ends support for Windows 7 in 2023
As of January 10, 2023, Microsoft stops releasing updates for Windows 7. This is the official end —now yes— of this popular version of Microsoft's operating system. Users who were still using Windows 7 will therefore need to upgrade to newer versions.
What is the current situation of Windows 7?
This time it's the end: as announced by Microsoft, Windows 7 will no longer receive any updates. The publisher officially confirmed this on their blog, noting that the system will not receive any support, not even for security.
It is true that since January 2020, Windows 7 did not receive support from Microsoft. This means that the computers that used that operating system continued to work, although they did not have new security updates or technical support. However, Windows 7 still benefited from vulnerability patches through its ESU maintenance program, especially intended for businesses and professionals who maintained that version.
Now it's definitely over: Windows 7 will no longer be maintained at all, so if you want to continue using Microsoft's operating system, you'll need to upgrade your PC to Windows 10 or 11.
To do this, Microsoft offers different solutions. For example, users of Azure, Microsoft's cloud platform, can use Windows Virtual Desktop for free if they want, although migrating to that cloud system is relatively complex and most basic users might struggle.
How to migrate to newer versions of Windows?
As Microsoft recommends – for obvious business reasons… – it seems more sensible to finally upgrade to a newer version of the operating system. And specifically Windows 10, which works perfectly on older computers, even with an older processor, especially when you go to the trouble of upgrading the RAM —4GB is the bare minimum for RAM these days— and replacing the hard drive. mechanical hard drive to an SSD to drastically speed up system, application and all file operations.
The company offers an official step-by-step guide explaining how to upgrade a Windows 7 PC to Windows 10. Unfortunately, contrary to what was in place until recently, the transition is no longer free, even if you have a Official Windows 7 license key.
From now on, the manufacturer requires you to buy a new key to activate Windows 10. Luckily, there are simple and legal ways to get keys at very low prices, particularly with licenses offered by certain specialist resellers, who also sell Office licenses. at prices without competition.
Finally, remember that you have the option to switch to Linux. Indeed, there are many versions —we're talking about distributions— of this free operating system perfectly adapted to old PCs. And contrary to popular belief, Linux has become very easy to use since the advent of modern distributions like Mint or Ubuntu.