Microsoft warns Windows 7 support ends in 2020, recommends users upgrade early to Windows 10

Time flies and it’s already 2017, and Windows 7, the world’s most popular desktop OS, is now nearly 8 years old.

Unfortunately for the aging software each passing year brings it closer to the official end of its support by Microsoft, which is set for January 14, 2020. In fact the software already passed out of mainstream support some years ago, and is currently on extended support, meaning it is only getting major bug fixes and security updates.

Microsoft Germany have posted a blog post where they encourage Windows 7 users to upgrade to Microsoft’s newest and some say final operating system, which currently has close to 25% of desktop OS market share worldwide.

End of life for Windows 7 means no more security updates, updates or technical support from Microsoft. Microsoft also warns that Windows 7 can’t keep up with today’s threats, and that using an old and especially unsupported OS adds increased maintenance costs.

Microsoft also touts the advantages such as supporting the latest chipset features by Intel, AMD and Qualcomm .

Microsoft notes Windows 10 offers maximum security, an easy upgrade path and a wide variety of enterprise security features and that 96% of companies worldwide were already evaluating Windows 10.

“Windows 7 is slowly advancing in years. Already, it neither fits the requirements of the users of modern technologies, or meet the high security requirements of IT departments, ” said Markus Nitschke, Head of Windows at Microsoft Germany. “As earlier with Windows XP, we recommend that companies should take early steps to avoid future risks or costs.”