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Microsoft ended mainstream support for Windows 7 on January 13, 2015, meaning Windows 7 Support is no longer providing non-critical security updates, made design changes, or offered complimentary support for the OS to end users. Extended support – updates, bug fixes, and paid support for businesses using the operating system – comes to an end on January 14, 2020.
The risk of not upgrading once extended support ends is that systems running Windows 7 will become vulnerable to un-patched security risks within the OS and the applications it runs. So as much as people like the OS and don’t want to change, an upgrade will become essential to remain protected against the hundreds of thousands of malware samples that hit the internet every day, as well as the billions of samples that are already out there.
While upgrading operating systems to the very latest version and keeping them patched doesn’t solve the problem entirely, it’s still smart to maximize your chances of enduring or thwarting an attack. Even if you just do the basics – run the latest version of the OS and ensure it’s kept up-to-date – you should be okay.
What is the difference between Windows mainstream support and extended support?
Mainstream support and extended support define the amount of time Microsoft gives for its Windows operating systems – essentially, expiration dates.
When your computer’s operating system is within the mainstream support period, it means Microsoft is still taking care of that version. By taking care, we mean providing security updates for any bugs that emerge, releasing design changes and warranty claims, for example.
Microsoft usually ends mainstream support five years after the release of an operating system, which then pushes it into extended support. This period usually runs for another five years too, but you get less support. Essentially it means the company stops adding new features and ends complimentary support for that version of Windows. But it still provides bug fixes and patches.
You can continue to use Windows 7, but once support ends, your PC will become more vulnerable to security risks. Windows will operate but you will stop receiving security and feature updates.
Windows 7 can still be installed and activated after support has ended. However, to avoid security risks and viruses, Microsoft recommends that you consider upgrading to Windows 10.
Support for Internet Explorer on Windows 7 devices will be discontinued on January 14, 2020. As a component of Windows operating system, Internet Explorer follows the same support lifecycle.
You can upgrade compatible Windows 7 PCs based on these requirements with a full license. To take advantage of the latest hardware capabilities, we recommend moving to a new PC with Windows 10.
This chart shows where operating systems from Windows XP up to Windows 10 stand. Follow the links for details of Microsoft’s product lifecycle policy (dates in red indicate an expired support deadline):
| Microsoft Windows support lifecycle end dates | |||
| Windows operating system | Latest update or service pack | End of mainstream support | End of extended support |
| Windows XP | Service Pack 3 | 14 April 2009 | 8 April 2014 |
| Windows Vista | Service Pack 2 | 10 April 2012 | 11 April 2017 |
| Windows 7 | Service Pack 1 | 13 January 2015 | 14 January 2020 |
| Windows 8 | Windows 8.1 | 9 January 2018 | 10 January 2023 |
| Windows 10 | Service updates provided every March and September | Refer to Microsoft Product Lifecycle database | 14 October 2025 |