{"id":335334,"date":"2020-02-01T15:24:58","date_gmt":"2020-02-01T13:24:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/?p=335334"},"modified":"2020-02-01T15:25:49","modified_gmt":"2020-02-01T13:25:49","slug":"rip-windows-7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/software\/335334-rip-windows-7.html","title":{"rendered":"RIP Windows 7"},"content":{"rendered":"

Support for Windows 7 ended on 14 January 2020, meaning that Microsoft will no longer provide technical support, software updates, and security fixes for the operating system.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile you could continue to use your PC running Windows 7, without continued software and security updates, it will be at greater risk for viruses and malware,\u201d said Microsoft.<\/p>\n

\u201cGoing forward, the best way for you to stay secure is on Windows 10.\u201d<\/p>\n

Microsoft has published a page<\/strong><\/a> highlighting how users and businesses can transition to Windows 10, and it also recommended that customers replace their older computers rather than simply upgrading their operating systems.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot only are new modern PCs fast (thanks to solid-state drives) and durable with batteries that last longer, the average price for a great PC is considerably less than it was 5-10 years ago,\u201d said Microsoft.<\/p>\n

Upgrade for free<\/h3>\n

However, it is still possible to upgrade your current computer to Windows 10 at no charge.<\/p>\n

While Microsoft originally offered a free upgrade for Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 users, this expired in July 2016.<\/p>\n

However, various users have reported that they are still able to upgrade free of charge as of January 2020.<\/p>\n

To do this, users must go to the Windows 10 download page and select \u201cDownload tool now\u201d to run the Media Creation Tool executable file.<\/p>\n

Users must then follow the instructions provided to install Windows 10.<\/p>\n

Officially, Microsoft says that Windows 7 users should purchase<\/a><\/strong> and download Windows 10.<\/p>\n

Windows 7 is still popular<\/h3>\n

Despite official support ending, a substantial percentage of PC users still run Windows 7 as their operating system.<\/p>\n

NetMarketShare\u2019s data<\/strong><\/a> shows that as of December 2019, Windows 7 boasted 26.64% of total desktop operating system market share \u2013 which is still nearly half of Windows 10\u2019s market share.<\/p>\n

This also positions Windows 7 as more popular than the latest version of Mac OS (X 10.15), as well as Windows 8.1.<\/p>\n

Security flaws and upgrade notifications<\/h3>\n

Additionally, Microsoft has already disclosed a severe bug<\/strong><\/a> that is present in Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and 10.<\/p>\n

This bug allows attackers to spoof security certificates so that users are unaware a file is malicious. This opens the opportunity for malicious parties to run man-in-the-middle attacks or to decrypt confidential information.<\/p>\n

This is the sort of security flaw that will no longer be patched on Windows 7 \u2013 meaning that those who still use the operating system are at extreme risk of being attacked by malicious parties.<\/p>\n

As part of its attempts to move users onto Windows 10, Microsoft is displaying<\/strong><\/a> a full-screen upgrade notification which encourages users to switch to the supported operating ssytem<\/p>\n

\u201cStarting on January 15, 2020, a full-screen notification will appear that describes the risk of continuing to use Windows 7 Service Pack 1 after it reaches end of support on January 14, 2020,\u201d said Microsoft.<\/p>\n

Windows 7 operating system versions which are displaying this notification include:<\/p>\n