Extended support ended on January 14, 2020, over ten years after the release of Windows 7, after which the operating system ceased receiving further support or security updates to most users, and all PCs that blocks Windows Update on Windows 7 versions newer than KB4499164 released in May 2019 displays a full-screen upgrade warning notification with an information page link starting from January 15, 2020. On January 12, 2016, Microsoft ended support for Internet Explorer versions older than Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 7. The last supported version of Windows based on this operating system was released on July 1, 2011, entitled Windows Embedded POSReady 7. Windows 7's server counterpart, Windows Server 2008 R2, was released at the same time.
Until April 9, 2013, Windows 7 RTM provided content such as security updates, software updates, PC driver updates and technical support, after which installation of Service Pack 1 is required for users to receive support and updates. It remained an operating system for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablet PCs and media center PCs, and itself was replaced in November 2012 by Windows 8, the name spanning more than three years of the product. It is the successor to Windows Vista, released nearly three years earlier. It was released to manufacturing on July 22, 2009, and became generally available on October 22, 2009. Windows 7 is a major release of the Windows NT operating system developed by Microsoft. Installing Service Pack 1 is required for users to receive updates and support after April 9, 2013. Įxceptions exist, see § Support lifecycle for details. Security updates are available for the operating system through at most Januonly for Professional and Enterprise volume licensed editions, through Octofor Windows Embedded Standard 7, and through Octofor Windows Embedded POSReady 7. This service is available via OEMs, in yearly installments. Windows 7 is eligible for the Extended Security Updates service. Įxtended support ended on January 14, 2020 ( ). Mainstream support ended on January 13, 2015 ( ).
When you're ready, proceed to the intro page to learn how to downgrade from Windows 8.1 to Windows 7. The whole process can be done in about an hour if everything goes smoothly. The steps for downgrading from Win8Pro and non-pro are otherwise the same.
The non-pro version of Windows 8 requires the purchase of a Windows 7 license.
Windows 8 Pro permits a downgrade to Windows 7 (or Vista) without buying anything. In a nutshell, the first requirement is to know from which version of the two Windows 8 versions the downgrade will be coming. The process and licensing requirements are the same for Win8.1 as for Win8, and these steps are about as foolproof as they get. When you're ready, the CRN Test Center provides detailed steps for how to downgrade from Windows 8.1 to Windows 7. Some of these nits have been fixed, to be fair, but many of the biggest offenders on the list are still baked into Windows 8.1. Still not convinced that a Win8.1-to-Win7 downgrade is in order? Take a look at this list of 12 things that IT will hate about Windows 8 for a refresher course on UI annoyances. What's more, Metro's Live Tiles consume processor bandwidth. They're available only through the Windows Store, and cannot be part of a migration to Windows 7. Metro takes a good bit of getting used to.Īpplications that run within Metro, which Microsoft now calls the "Modern UI," don't behave as Win7 apps do. For example, the Win7 Start Menu has been replaced by a Start screen (a.k.a Metro) and interface that's far less friendly to the mouse. Even after modification to the Win8 UI, longtime Windows 7 users must continue to make adjustments to their thinking and work habits when using Win8. First, the user interface is substantially different between the two, and user productivity will fall sharply at first and could remain that way until training can be provided. There's a solid business case for downgrading from Windows 8.1 to Windows 7. However, if Windows 7 is an absolute requirement, then dressing up Windows 8.1 to look the part will never be more than second best. Further, we can think of at least eight reasons to upgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1, mostly because Win8 can be made to look and behave more like Win7, and because the upgrade is easy to do. We were encouraged by the October release of Windows 8.1 it proved that Microsoft isn't completely severed from the reality that some people actually still use a mouse and keyboard.