So what’s up with Windows 7? By now, you’re probably starting to hear some buzz about it because, frankly, it’s a big deal. Here it is in a nutshell: January 14, 2020 is the official date for Windows 7 End of Life. This means after January 14, 2020, Microsoft will no longer provide computer support or security updates for PCs, laptops, or other devices running Windows 7.
Why are they killing Windows 7?
The reason is simple—supporting the outdated Windows 7 is too costly. The ultimate goal for Microsoft is to commit fewer resources to Windows 7 and focus more on making Windows 10 as secure as possible against threats, such as viruses, malware, and hacking.
Many people are also unaware that support for Internet Explorer on Windows 7 devices will be discontinued on January 14, 2020, as well. As a component of Windows operating system, Internet Explorer follows the same support lifecycle.
What does it mean for you?
Home users and small businesses may not notice changes in their laptops or PCs because the problems won’t be apparent in day-to-day usage of Windows 7. In fact, most devices will continue to do everything that they do now. Only support and security updates will be discontinued. The temptation will be to underestimate or even ignore the issues this will cause, until it hits you in the pocketbook.