When Will Microsoft End Support For Windows 7

It's been almost ii years since Microsoft officially ended support for Windows vii in January 2020. The end shouldn't have come as a surprise to Windows users: Microsoft promised x years of product support for Windows seven when information technology was released in October 2009, before shifting focus to supporting newer technologies, like Windows xi.

That ways Microsoft no longer offers technical assist or software updates to your device, and the company encouraged people to upgrade to Windows 10 to go on their PCs and laptops secure. (If you're a Windows 8.ane user, extended support for that Bone won't end until Jan 2023.) Merely don't worry -- you tin can withal use this trick to download Windows x for free if you want to. And with Windows 10, you lot tin upgrade to Windows eleven for free.

Keep reading for everything you need to know about the end of Windows 7 support, and how to make the switch to Windows 10.

The customizable Showtime menu on Windows 10.
Nate Ralph/CNET

Read more: How to download Windows ten for costless

Why did Microsoft end support for Windows vii?

Microsoft has a long-established Fixed Lifestyle Policy for many of its products. For each version of its OS, the company offers a minimum of 10 years of support (at least five years of Mainstream back up, followed by v years of Extended support). Both types include security and program updates, self-assist online topics and extra help you can pay for.

Windows vii was released in October 2009, then its 10-yr life cycle has come to a close. Windows ten was released in 2015, and extended back up for the latest version of the Bone is slated to finish in 2025.

Read more:New to Windows 10? Here'southward how long Microsoft will support information technology

Will my Windows vii reckoner finish working?

Your Windows seven computer will keep working, merely Microsoft won't provide security updates or fixes, or technical support for whatsoever issues -- leaving your computer at greater take a chance from viruses and malware that may circulate to have advantage of whatever flaws that are afterward discovered.

That's why it'south critically important for you to switch to an Bone version that Microsoft will notwithstanding put resources behind.

Read more: Windows vii support is expressionless, but these seven security tips will even so protect your laptop

Do I accept to make the switch to Windows x?

No one tin can strength y'all to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10, but y'all're leaving your devices and potentially your privacy vulnerable if you don't brand the jump. Without security updates or fixes, you're putting your computer at risk -- an peculiarly dangerous choice, as many forms of malware target Windows devices.

Windows 10 as well has a number of built-in security tools: Windows Defender Antivirus protects against malware and spyware beyond email, apps, the deject and the web, while Windows Hi offers a password-free sign-in option to unlock your devices with your face or a fingerprint reader. A Find My Device service can lock and erase your Windows device remotely, or map the location of your device.

Read more:The best antivirus protection of 2021 for Windows 10

Isn't Windows 10 pretty buggy?

Some people have been hesitant to brand the switch due to reports of several bugs in earlier versions of Windows 10. But Microsoft has made several changes to its update approach since then. The biggest change came with the May 2019 release, including slower rollouts with additional testing, more options for pausing updates and more disclosure of known issues, and so your feel should be smoother.

Many of the issues were due to the fact that updates are happening more oft, said Gartner Research analyst Steve Kleynhans. "Merely overall near users seem pretty happy with the OS and similar the feel it brings, especially on newer devices," he added.

Read more: half dozen simple security changes all Windows 10 users need to make

What's the departure between Windows 7 and Windows x, anyway?

Besides a suite of security tools, Windows 10 also offers more features. One is the Your Phone app, which allows you lot to admission texts, notifications and apps from your phone using your PC -- similar to Apple tree'southward Continuity features. A feature called Calls allows you to place and answer Android calls on your PC (and you can connect your iPhone to your Windows PC as well). A dictation feature lets you easily record ideas.

Microsoft's digital assistant Cortana is also available on Windows 10 PCs. The Bone also integrates better with Microsoft OneDrive and other deject tools.

Read more: 11 easy Windows 10 tricks yous didn't know about

The about recent Windows ten November 2021 update includes features like new Wi-Fi security standards and other changes aimed at management and security.

Unlike previous versions of the Bone, Windows x offers automatic updates past default, to keep systems more than secure. (You can turn these off if you desire to, by going to Windows Update Settings > Avant-garde Options and changing from Automatic to another selection in the drib-down menu.)

Read more: 5 Windows 10 features that trounce what you had on Windows 7

How practice I upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10? How much will it cost me?

You tin can buy and download Windows 10 via Microsoft's website for $139. While Microsoft technically ended its free Windows 10 upgrade program in July 2016, as of November 2021, CNET has confirmed the free update is still bachelor for Windows seven, 8, and 8.1 users. Check out our pace-by-step guide on how to upgrade to Windows x for gratuitous.

Read more: twenty pro tips to make Windows 10 work the mode you want (free PDF) (TechRepublic)