[German]In a recent blog post, Microsoft announced again to the end of Extended Support for Windows 7 on January 14, 2020 and provides information on the migration to successor operating systems.
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I already had the information available yesterday, but was bound by a blocking clause (NDA).
January 14, 2020 is the deadline
In a blog post Making the transition to Windows 10 and Office 365 Microsoft points out that support for Windows 7 SP1 will end on January 14, 2020. Then there will be no more security updates for this operating system. The end of support also means that Office 2010 will no longer receive updates in addition to Windows 7.
Corporate customers can indeed book a fee-based support extension until January 14, 2023 for Windows 7. But this is expensive and tied to certain Windows 7 editions and editions. I had reported about it in the blog post Wow! Windows 7 get extended support until January 2023 and mentioned prices and dates in other blog posts (see article series at end of post).
Notification of end of support as of April 2019
Windows 7 users should expect to see an end-of-support notification displayed on their Windows 7 PC from April 2019. I'm assuming that the appropriate extension will be shipped with the March 2019 updates on today's patchday – or the whole thing is already present on the systems.
This is, in Microsoft's opinion, a polite hint. According to Microsoft, users should see this nag screen 'a handful of times' in 2019. By starting the reminders now, Microsoft hopes that people will have time to plan and prepare the transition from Windows 7 to a successor system. Microsoft also writes in the blog post that users can select an option for "Don't notify again" when viewing the first notification. Then Microsoft won't send any more reminders.
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Win7 End of Support FAQ
At the same time Microsoft has written a FAQ about the end of Windows 7 support. Here is this FAQ .
What does the end of support mean for me?
After January 14, 2020, Windows 7 systems will no longer receive security updates. According to Microsoft, it is important that you upgrade to a modern operating system such as Windows 10. Windows 10 can provide the latest security updates. In addition, Microsoft Customer Service will no longer be available for Windows 7 technical support.
What shall I do?
For most Windows 7 users, Microsoft recommends switching to a new Windows 10 device. The promise: Today's PCs are faster, lighter, more powerful, and more secure, with an average price that's significantly lower than an average PC eight years ago.
Can I upgrade my PC to Windows 10?
To take advantage of the latest hardware capabilities, Microsoft recommends moving to a new PC running Windows 10. Alternatively, compatible Windows 7 PCs can be upgraded by purchasing and installing a full version of the software.
The unofficially the free upgrade from Windows 7 SP1 to Windows 10 still seems to work. Microsoft has published this upgrade FAQ.
Was passiert, wenn ich Windows 7 weiterhin verwende?
Sie können Windows 7 weiterhin verwenden, Windows wird weiterhin gestartet und ausgeführt, aber Sie erhalten keine Software-Updates, einschließlich Sicherheitsupdates, mehr von Microsoft. Der Hersteller droht: Nach Ablauf des Supports wird Ihr PC anfälliger für Sicherheitsrisiken und Viren.
What happens if I continue to use Windows 7?
You can still use Windows 7, Windows will continue to start and run, but you will no longer receive software updates, including security updates, from Microsoft. The manufacturer threatens: After support expires, your PC becomes more vulnerable to security risks and viruses.
Is Internet Explorer still supported on Windows 7?
Internet Explorer support on a Windows 7 device will also be discontinued on January 14, 2020. As a component of Windows, Internet Explorer follows the support lifecycle of the Windows operating system on which it is installed. For more information, see Lifecycle FAQ – Internet Explorer.
What if I am using Windows 7 Enterprise?
If you are using Windows in an enterprise environment, Microsoft recommends that you contact your IT department.
What about Windows 7 Embedded?
Windows for embedded devices such as ATMs or dispensers have lifecycle data that sometimes differ from the versions of Windows. Windows Embedded Standard 7 SP 1, for example, is supported until October 13, 2020. Windows Embedded POSReady 7 even gets support until 10/12/2021.
Whether these updates can be used for Windows 7 systems, however, is still unknown to me. Instead of the switch to Windows 10 suggested by Microsoft, one could also consider Windows 8.1 (support until 2023) or Linux as an alternative.
Similar articles:
Wow! Windows 7 get extended support until January 2023
Prices for Windows 7 Extended Security Updates till 2023
Windows 7 Extended Security Updates buyable from April 2019
