Windows 7 will not remain an actual operating system (OS) for long. Microsoft is ending “extended support” on January 14, 2020. This means that the G7 will no longer receive security upgrades. Also, Microsoft offers a way out – to purchase “extended updates”.
Standard security updates end on January 14, 2020
Windows 7 was released on October 22, 2009, which is now its tenth anniversary. However, she does not have long to live, because on January 14, 2020, Microsoft ceases to release security upgrades as usual. In the near future, all software developers will also no longer build G7 support into their applications. Further, the new equipment will stop working on Windows 7, except for some cases of intentional support for this version of the system.
In fact, the situation with the beloved by many Windows XP will completely repeat itself. Maybe Windows 7 will be more resilient, but no matter how long it lasts, its ending is known in advance. Gradually, software and hardware developers will move away from it, and the average user will have nothing to do here. Significant security holes will begin to emerge, which work in a similar way to the top ten. Whereas Microsoft used to patch them up, now the OS will be left to its own devices. A decrease in the level of security, along with other factors, will lead to massive user churn. In general, Microsoft has warned about this many times over the years.
Microsoft may release a number of free updates
If Windows XP gave any lesson, it is that Microsoft will still release a few security updates for the G7 after its official support ends. It has been 5 years since the corporation refused to launch upgrades for XP, and still it released another update this year. Apparently, the update pipeline has already been closed, and for a long time, so Windows XP owners will have to manually download and install.
This update does not mean that Microsoft has closed all security holes in the legacy OS. Likewise with Windows 7, developers will not patch all system vulnerabilities. The focus will be on complex defects, such as a hole in Windows XP that allows a worm to spread over the network and infect old machines. It would be foolish to expect to receive security updates for all defects.
Organizations may receive extended security updates
The average computer user should leave Windows 7. That is, you should upgrade to a more modern tenth version (or at least 8, 8.1). If the corporation has installed software and devices that require the use of “seven”, you should try to isolate the device from the network. An alternative option is to run the required software on a modern OS using a virtual machine.
For companies that need more time to update the entire database, Microsoft offers to buy extended security updates. In other words, the corporation will continue to make the necessary upgrades, but they cannot be obtained without paying for services. The approach is designed to force everyone to switch to the current OS, while not leaving the company to be devoured by hackers. This support will grow in price annually. Microsoft is taking a monetary incentive, forcing companies, governments and other organizations to move to Windows 10.
Home users can’t buy them
An ordinary user cannot even purchase such updates, because they are available exclusively to enterprises. The good news is that upgrades will not only be available to large firms. A corporate agreement can be entered into by enterprises of all sizes, including extremely small ones.
Microsoft has no plans to sell the updates directly. They will not be available in a standard way through retail channels. From Mary Jo Foley’s words, it is clear that official updates will only be available for purchase “from qualified partners of the cloud provider.” The Microsoft blog invites all interested parties to contact company employees or partners for more information.
What is the price of extended security updates?
The ability to purchase updates is optional. You can continue to use the OS and patch holes at the expense of third-party software. An interesting trait is that Microsoft does not publish an official price list. Mary Jo Foley thinks cost is negotiable. As she found out, the owners of corporate Windows 7 in the first year will need to pay $ 25, the next – $ 50, and the third – $ 100. This is the standard price for each device. Advanced maintenance services are in addition to the Windows license agreement.
Organizations that own Windows 7 Pro will have to pay twice as much. The price starts at $ 50, then increases to $ 100, and in the third year – $ 200. Naturally, the amount is converted into rubles at the official exchange rate.
Microsoft’s documentation also says there is no minimum purchase limit. From a technical point of view, this means that you can only purchase updates for one device.
According to experts, more than 35% of PCs still have Windows 7 installed. Therefore, Microsoft will not be left without a profit. Some organizations will definitely pay for extended security updates. For ordinary users, the wisest thing to do is to upgrade to Windows 10.