Microsoft forbids computer manufacturers to sell PCs with Windows 7 after the 1st of November 2016. The company has released a new "Windows Lifecycle Fact Sheet" that states the 31st of October 2016 as the last date on which PC manufacturers are allowed to build systems with Windows 7 pre-installed. Also manufacturing new PCs with Windows 8.1 is no longer allowed after that date.
On the 31st of October this year, PC manufacturers were no longer permitted to build PCs with Windows 7 Home Basic, Home Premium and Ultimate. Next year also Windows 7 Professional can no longer be installed on new computers, which marks the end of the Windows 7 era. Retail sales of Windows 7 ended on the 31st of October 2013.
Also the final date on which Windows 8 can be pre-installed nears, Microsoft allows the OS on new computers until the 30th of June next year. Retail sales of Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 ended October 31st 2014 and the 1st of September 2015 respectively.
If computer manufacturers still have stock after the end date, they are still permitted to sell them with with the older OS.
