Both Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 are no longer receiving security updates or technical assistance from Microsoft. Users that persist in running these OSes will only receive rare security upgrades.

Windows 7's formal support was supposed to terminate on January 14, 2020, marking the end of a lifespan of more than ten years. The OS's success, however, prompted Microsoft to decide to delay the mandatory update for a while. Unfortunately, Microsoft ended support for Windows 8 on the tenth anniversary of Version 8.1's release, at the end of 2022. This operating system was never widely used. It's feasible to keep using the OS, but doing so has a few drawbacks. Those who still opt to use them despite the security risks will soon discover that fewer and fewer programs and games are compatible with them. Microsoft recommends that they upgrade to Windows 10 or Windows 11 as a fix. The former will have guaranteed maintenance till 2025. It won't cost a thing to upgrade from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 to the latest OS versions.

But upgrading to Windows 11 is already more complicated than necessary because of the security precautions necessary for using modern hardware. Either buy a new computer with the most recent software installed or upgrade the operating system on the one you already have.

Microsoft has ends official support for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1