Windows 7 end of support: what to do now?

The Windows 7 operating system expired on January 14, 2020. After this date users are no longer able to receive updates or customer service support. 37% of PC users are still using Windows 7, and they will now have to upgrade to continue using their PCs securely. In this article we will explain everything you should know about Windows 7's expiration in 2020.

What happened in January 2020?

Since January 2020, there has no longer been support for Windows 7. This means that the operating system computers will continue to work but no longer receive new patches or security updates and will no longer include technical services. To avoid security problems and incompatibilities, users should upgrade their PCs to Windows 10 or simply switch to another operating system.

In response, Microsoft offers different solutions, some free and some paid. For example, users of Azure, Microsoft's cloud platform, can use Windows Virtual Desktop for free. However, migrating to that system in the cloud is relatively complex, and the most basic users might have difficulty migrating successfully.

On the other hand, Microsoft also offers the possibility of obtaining some extended security updates, specially designed for companies that fail to update their systems before January 2020. Microsoft explained that this option would cost "approximately 75%" of the price the person or company paid for their Windows 7 license.

When to migrate?

 Microsoft recommends taking the step as soon as possible. Unforeseen security problems may occur, or the migration might take longer than expected, especially in the case of large companies with thousands of computers.

It's also recommended to carefully decide the operating system you will upgrade. The company now offers an official step-by-step guide explaining how to upgrade a computer from Windows 7 to Windows 10.