Windows 7 was released in October 2009. Barack Obama was president, Avatar would soon be released in theaters, and swine flu was officially declared a global pandemic. The world has been repositioned a lot since then (for example, Avatar 2 takes position in the water instead of the forest), as has Windows. While Microsoft “officially” ended support for Windows 7 on January 14, 2020, this week it is actually officially dead. If you’re still using it (or Windows 8. 1, for that matter), you really shouldn’t be using it. As reported via Bleeping Computer, Microsoft will end software support for the Extfinished Security Update (ESU) program for Windows 7 on Tuesday, January 10. This program provided a three-year paid exception to Microsoft’s abandonment of Windows 7 for Professional. and business users who relied on the operational formula to run express software. Starting this week, however, even ESU consumers will find their versions of Windows 7 as lonely as the others. It’s not just Windows 7 that has run out of time: Microsoft is also officially removing extfinished support for Windows 8. 1, released in October 2013. Additionally, many third-party component developers are also removing support for older versions of Windows. Google will end Chrome support for Windows 7 and 8. 1 on Tuesday, and Microsoft Edge 109 will also be the last Edge update for those versions of Windows. When a developer like Microsoft stops supporting their own software, it doesn’t mean that the software itself stops working. After Tuesday, you’ll still be able to boot PCs running Windows 7 or 8. 1, and more than likely you will. It looks the same as Monday. The same goes for Chrome and Edge. However, the challenge is rarely that Microsoft is done adding new features to Windows 7 (which shipped a long time ago). Rather, the problem is that the company will no longer release new security patches, making running Windows 7 and 8. 1 especially dangerous in 2023. Security patches are an integral component of virtual life. Software has inherent flaws and those flaws are eventually discovered through developers, researchers, or bad actors. If other people figure out how to exploit those vulnerabilities in front of users, it could allow them to take control of your computer and borrow your information, or hold it for ransom. Although such dangers exist with any operating formula, developers are regularly diligent in patching vulnerabilities as they discover them: a security flaw is of no use to a hacker if those suffering from it can fix it with the latest software update. But if those updates never arrive (as is now the case with Windows 7 and 8. 1), it’s open season for hackers looking for a simple target.
Many of us have a habit of discarding perfectly clever technologies prematurely. Many of us would like to keep our phones and computers for a year or two (or more). But Windows 7 has worked very well, technologically speaking, and the sad thing is that after almost thirteen years, its use is officially unsafe for everyone. And since about 11% of the world’s computers still use it, the transition will be complicated in the future.
Jake Peterson is Lifehacker’s Senior Generation Editor. He has a bachelor’s degree in Film and Television from New York University, where he specialized in writing. Jake has been professionally helping others in his generation since 2016, first as a technical specialist at the Apple Store on New York’s Fifth Avenue and then as a representative for the website Gadget Hacks. During that time, he wrote and edited thousands of news and how-to articles about iPhones and Android, adding reports on live demos of product launches from Samsung and Google. In 2021, he joined Lifehacker and covers everything from the most productive uses of AI in your daily life to which MacBook to buy. His team covers everything related to technology, including smartphones, computers, game consoles and subscriptions. He lives in Connecticut. Lifehacker has been a source of technical support and life advice since 2005. Our project is to provide reliable technical support and life advice that is credible, practical and science-based to help you live better. © 2001-2023 Ziff Davis, LLC. , A ZIFF DAVIS COMPANY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Lifehacker is a federally registered trademark of Ziff Davis and may not be used by third parties without a specific project. The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily imply association with or endorsement by Lifehacker. If you click on a partner’s link and purchase a product or service, that merchant may pay us a fee. Lifehacker supports Group Black and their project to develop diversity of voices and media ownership.
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