Microsoft will discontinue security updates and technical support for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 on 10th January 2023. This announcement coincides with the release of Microsoft Edge 109, the last edition to support the outdated operating systems.
Although the browser will continue to function on these devices, no critical security updates or new features will be provided.
Support for WebView2, a tool that allows developers to incorporate web-base content into their apps, will also be discontinued on 10th January 2023.
Microsoft Edge isn’t the only major search engine abandoning Windows 7 and Windows 8.1.
Google announce in October 2022 that Chrome support for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 would end on 7th February 2023.
Devices running Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 will be increasingly vulnerable to bugs, malware, or other online security risks.
All these PCs will be unable to obtain the Microsoft’s most recent functions and features.
The deadline gives users with devices still running Windows 7, estimate to be around 100 million as recently as 2021, some time to upgrade their machines or face the security risks associate with using an outdated operating system and browser.
Microsoft gave users plenty of warning, announcing the end of support for Windows 7 in 2020.
Only those who paid for an extra three years of extended security patches will receive updates.
Microsoft Said :
“Microsoft will not be offering an Extended Security Update (ESU) program for Windows 8.1. Continuing to use Windows 8.1 after January 10, 2023, may increase an organization’s exposure to security risks or impact its ability to meet compliance obligations,”.
The Extended Security Update (ESU) programme is a last recourse for customers who need to continue using legacy Microsoft products after they have reach the end of support.
It contains critical and important security updates for up to three years after the end of extend support for the product.
This means that Windows PC users who still have devices running the Windows 8.1 operating system will no longer receive critical security updates to protect their PCs and data from cyber threats.
If you owns a device that runs Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, now is a good time to install Windows 10 or 11.
If that isn’t possible, Microsoft suggests replacing the device with a newer model before 10th January 2023 to prevent any potential security issues.
