Security updates to continue till 2020.
By Raif Karerat
WASHINGTON, DC: Back in 2009, Windows 7 was released with a specific shelf life in mind. As with Windows Vista and XP before it, the operating system was allotted five years to make its mark before making way for the next iteration of Windows.
Fast forward half a decade, and 2015 is upon us, signifying the end of yet another era in Microsoft’s history. As of January 13, “mainstream support” for Windows 7 will cease, meaning Microsoft will stop any significant software development for the now aging platform.
However, Microsoft will continue to provide security updates and patches on an ad-hoc basis until 2020, after which Redmond will cut off all remaining support to the operating system.
According to analytics companies StatCounter and Net Applications, Windows 7 is currently used by over 50 percent of all internet users. Furthermore, its market share actually increased in 2014 due to Microsoft unilaterally ending support for Windows XP.
XP’s retirement encouraged numerous consumers and companies to switch to a newer version, but many of those companies decided to ignore Windows 8 and migrate to the older Windows 7 instead.
In August of 2014, IT market researchers at Gartner, Inc. warned the business sector to prepare for the impending terminus of Windows 7 support.
“The end of Windows 7 support seems far away, but the time between when the next version of Windows 10 may ship, and support for Windows 7 will end, is about the same timeframe as from when Windows XP support ended,” said Stephen Kleynhans, research vice president at Gartner.
“The good news is that improvements to Windows 8 help enable adoption. Microsoft has moved to a more fluid approach to releasing and updating Windows,” he continued.