Windows 7 end of support

Microsoft Lifecycle Policy offers 10 years of support (5 years for mainstream support and 5 years for extended support for Business and Developer products (such as versions of Windows prior to Windows 10 and Office perpetual).

windows7-end-of-support

We recommend you shift to Microsoft 365 as this will help ensure you and your organization have the best experience by leveraging the latest technology: Windows 10 and Office 365 ProPlus.

For users of Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Enterprise, you can purchase Extended Security Updates through January 2023. For an in-depth FAQ about Windows 7 Extended Security Updates, please download the Microsoft End of Support FAQ.

As per the policy, after the end of the extended support period, there will be no patches or security updates which may cause security and compliance issues and expose customers’ applications and business to serious security risks.

All good things must come to an end, even Windows 7. After January 14, 2020, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or support for PCs running Windows 7. But you can keep the good times rolling by moving to Windows 10.

Understanding end of support will help you keep your business and employees productive and secure. Download Microsoft’s checklist to learn your options, recommended next steps, and resources.

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Whether you are upgrading an existing device, buying a new one, or just need help deploying, we have the help you need.

PCs are lighter, faster, and more affordable than ever, so it makes sense for Windows 7 users to transition to a new device with Windows 10 installed.

Contact a Microsoft Certified Partner to help you transition your business to Windows 10.

You have questions, we have answers

  • Can I upgrade my existing PC to Windows 10?
    • Yes, you can upgrade compatible Windows 7 PCs based on these requirements with a full license. To take advantage of the latest hardware capabilities, we recommend moving to a new PC with Windows 10.
  • What happens if I continue to use Windows 7?
    • You can continue to use Windows 7, but once support ends, your PC will become more vulnerable to security risks. Windows will operate but you will stop receiving security and feature updates.
  • Can Windows 7 still be activated after January 14, 2020?
    • Windows 7 can still be installed and activated after support has ended. However, to avoid security risks and viruses, Microsoft recommends that you consider upgrading to Windows 10.
  • Will Internet Explorer still be supported on Windows 7?
    • Support for Internet Explorer on Windows 7 devices will be discontinued on January 14, 2020. As a component of Windows operating system, Internet Explorer follows the same support lifecycle.
  • Can I get a free upgrade to Windows 10?
    • Microsoft 365 Business comes with a free upgrade for users with a Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 Pro license on their device. By purchasing Microsoft 365 Business your users can upgrade all of their old Windows Pro licensed devices at no additional cost.
  • Does this also apply to Windows Embedded 7?
    • There are a number of members of the Windows Embedded 7 product family with different support lifecycles. The earliest end of support date is January 14, 2020 and the others follow thereafter. For more details see our product lifecycle page.
  • Are there alternatives that give me extra time to complete my migration while keeping my users safe?
    • For users of Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Enterprise, you can purchase Extended Security Updates through January 2023. For an in-depth FAQ about Windows 7 Extended Security Updates, please download the Microsoft End of Support FAQ