Microsoft Products End of Support: January 2020

As you may know, there are some Microsoft products that will no longer be supported after the new year, most notably Windows 7 and its associated programs. If you haven’t made the switch to Windows 10, there’s no reason to despair, Windows 7 won’t disappear from your computer on January 14, 2020. It will no longer be supported by Microsoft, however, which will cause some problems for you, your teams, and customers.

What does end of support mean?

If your computer is still using Windows 7, it will no longer receive the automatic security updates from Microsoft that it usually receives. This means your data is more vulnerable than normal to cybersecurity threats. In additional to the automatic security updates Microsoft pushes out, if you require technical support from Microsoft, their customer service team will no longer be able to provide it.

What can I do?

A move to Windows 10 is recommended. Follow this link to learn about Windows 10.

What if my PCs don’t support Windows 10?

Luckily, there are a lot of options of PCs that do run Windows 10. You can find some of them here.

Can I upgrade to Windows 10 for free?

Unfortunately, the Windows 10 free upgrade ended in 2016. Your options now are 1) either purchase a new device or, 2) if your older device is compatible, purchase a full version of the software.

Will my computer still work after January 14, 2020?

Yes. Even if you’re still running Windows 7, your computer will still work. It will, however, be more vulnerable to security risks and viruses, and it won’t receive any Windows updates.

Will Internet Explorer still be supported if I’m using Windows 7?

No. As a component of Windows, Internet Explorer follows the support lifecycle of whichever Windows operating system on which it is installed. So, if you’re still running Windows 7, Internet Explorer, too, won’t be supported. See this FAQ for more information.

Won’t Microsoft Security Essentials protect my computer after January 14, 2020?

No. Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) is a product unique to Windows 7 and thus follows the same lifecycle. It, too, will reach end of support on January 14, 2020.

Are other programs reaching end of support in 2020?

Yes. Microsoft has a comprehensive list here. There are also links to learn more about the other products that are reaching end of support and what you can do to upgrade or switch your, your teams, or your client’s programs. Some products to note on this list: Windows Server 2008 and Internet Explorer 10.

Further general questions about Microsoft end of support can be directed here.

Of course, the friendly team at SumnerOne is also always ready and available to field any questions you may have. We’re happy to help you with any of your end of support questions or troubleshooting. If you’re not sure where to start and need help analyzing your existing PCs and infrastructure, please take our free assessment today.