Microsoft: Windows 7 can no longer keep up with today's increased security requirements

Windows 7 can no longer keep up with today's increased security requirements, according to Microsoft. The OS also has higher operating costs due to increased malware attacks and many manufacturers no longer provide drivers for Windows 7 which means that modern peripherals are no longer working with the OS, the software giant writes.

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"Windows 10 is the only Windows version to provide support for the latest Intel, AMD and Qualcomm chips. In addition, many programs are already written or developed for newer versions of Windows," according to a post on the website of Microsoft Germany .

"Companies that continue to use the operating system take enormous dangers," the software giant writes. The company goes on to write that Windows 7 was developed for 'the wireless 2000's and that 'Windows 7 is based on long-outdated security architectures'.

In 2020, on January 14th, support for Windows 7 ends which means Microsoft will no longer release security updates for the OS. Basic support ended a year ago meaning that Microsoft stopped adding new functionality to the operating system.

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"Windows 7 slowly becomes old. It does not meet the requirements of today's modern technology, nor the high security requirements of IT departments, "said Markus Nitschke, Head of Windows at Microsoft Deutschland. "We learned from Windows XP that companies should take early steps to avoid future risks or costs."

The message from Microsoft appears to try to convince users to update to Windows 10 to avoid the same situation as with Windows XP. This OS is still run by millions of computers, both at home and in companies, while has not received any security updates since 2014. By warning users to switch to a more modern OS on time Microsoft not only want to save them from security risks, it appears to be also an attempt to get more users for its latest OS.

Windows 7 is currently by far the most used Windows version globally, according to StatCounter more than 40% is using the OS, while Windows 10 is used by about 28% of the internet users.

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Users who didn't take Microsoft's offer of a free upgrade to Windows 10 can still do so, using Microsoft's Media Creation Tool.

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