Microsoft is ending security support for Windows 7 on January 14, 2020. Although you can continue to use Windows 7, it will be unsafe. Security threats are relentless and new ones are found every day. Windows 7 users will soon find themselves targeted by hackers as weaknesses are found that Microsoft will not be patching.
Microsoft is going to make warning Windows 7 users “in your face”
Microsoft has been warning Windows 7 users for months and urging holdouts to move to Windows 10. On January 15, 2020 Microsoft will begin displaying a persistent full-screen notification warning of the risks. The notification will “remain on the screen until you interact with it”, according to a Windows Support advisory. In short, it means Microsoft is serious about moving users from the aging and soon-to-be unsafe platform.
This affects all versions of Windows 7 including:
- Starter
- Home Basic
- Home Premium
- Professional
- Ultimate
Image credit – ifeelstock – stock.adobe.com
Windows 10 is better anyway
Windows 10 is stable, easy to use, and comes with tons of features not found in Windows 7. Some older computers are not up to the move. You can check your computer against the published system requirements here.
You’ll need to purchase a license… maybe?
Microsoft offered the Windows 10 upgrade at no cost for a year. Although that program officially ended in July of 2016, some users have reported that they still were able to upgrade for free. Microsoft has full instructions and a tool to guide you through the upgrade process. Let me know in the comment section if you were successful, if you found the tool and process helpful, and if you were able to activate your new Windows 10 copy for free. That would be a nice Christmas gift!
