We said a few days ago that you can still install Windows 10 for free only until 29 July 2016, because after that date you will have to pay if you want to install the latest Microsoft operating system, Windows 10, destined to be the last of the series, which will be updated constantly and not with new versions. If those who have Windows 8.1 should have no doubts whether to update or not and should go directly to Windows 10, those who have a Windows 7 PC should think about whether to update not only based on the technical judgment, but also keeping an eye on that which Microsoft calls the end of support date, which is the day on which Microsoft will stop developing and releasing new security patches .
Many people don't know what this " end of support " thing means, so much so that they still use closed and finished systems like Windows XP or that they will soon be finished like Windows Vista.
We therefore explained what the end of Windows XP means, which since 8 April 2014 is no longer updated and that from that date has remained vulnerable to all new discovered bugs, which make the PC exposed and defenseless against hackers and viruses computer.
Basically, once the support of an operating system spread around the world as Windows XP is still finished (it is estimated that 9% of people still use it), the computer, if connected to the internet, becomes easy prey for any exploit, viruses, bugs, malware and what's there.
The question then is: Who has Windows 7 should therefore fear the end of the support and, therefore, be forced soon to switch to Windows 10 anyway and even if he does not want it "> page of important dates, we find that:
- Windows XP SP3 has ended support since April 8, 2014 .
- Windows Vista SP2 support still lasts until April 11, 2017 .
READ ALSO: Update Windows XP or Vista to Windows 7, 8 or 10
- Windows 7 SP1, as mentioned above, ends its life cycle on January 14, 2020 .
- Windows 8 is no longer supported while Windows 8.1 still lasts until 10 January 2023
- Windows 10, finally, has a duration of 10 years from the release date and will therefore end on October 14, 2025 .
According to the news provided by Microsoft, however, the updates of Windows 10, which will be released once a year, should extend this life cycle indefinitely or in any case longer.
NOTE : There may be two end-of-support dates on the Microsoft website, one for Mainstream support and one for Extended support .
It can therefore be found that for Windows 7 Mainstream support expired already last year, January 13, 2015.
However, this Mainstream support is not important unless you are talking about computers in companies of a certain type.
Mainstream support is for the release of additional features and specific error corrections.
The fact that Mainstream support has ended for Windows 7 only means that no new features will be added in the future, which is quite normal and obvious since new versions have been released in the meantime.
The important one is Extended support, which concerns invades the fundamental security patches.
READ ALSO: How many computers can I install Windows on?
