Microsoft will no longer sell computers with Windows 7 installed starting the 31st of October this year, which is next Friday. Retail sales of Windows 7 already ended on the same date last year. After next Friday only Windows 8.1 will be available to the consumer market.
Microsoft makes a clear separation between the consumer and business market. The latter can still purchase PCs with Windows 7 Professional installed. Also consumers that want to pay extra to get Windows 7 Professional can still buy that edition of Windows 7. However starting next week both consumers and PC manufacturers will no longer be able to purchase licenses of Windows 7 Home Basic, Windows 7 Home Premium or Windows 7 Ultimate.
Although Microsoft discontinues the sales of Windows 7, it's still the most popular version of Windows. It was the last version with the traditional start menu and accounts for more than 50% of all computers connected to the internet. Users of Windows 7 are eligible for mainstream support till January 13th 2015. After that date Microsoft will no longer bring new features to the OS but will continue to release security fixes. Windows 7 will receive free security fixes till 2020 when the extended support phase ends.
It's unknown when Microsoft will cease sales of Windows 7 Professional, also for that version of Windows 7 the mainstream support will end on January 13th 2015. Consumer Windows 7 PCs might still be available for some time until retailers have cleaned their inventory. Amazon still sells licenses for all Windows 7 versions, as well as many other online retailers.
