Microsoft has ended support for Windows 7 on January 14, 2020, but millions of PCs still run the operating system. While Microsoft won’t be issuing public security updates and fixes for Windows 7, businesses that haven’t migrated to Windows 10 (or a Linux alternative) in time can pay for Extended Security Updates (ESU) until 2023. ESU will also support Office 365 based on Windows 7 during this period.
Lately, Microsoft introduced a new offering for this field. Companies that commit to Microsoft 365 E5, Microsoft 365 E5 Security, or Microsoft 365 F1 Security + Compliance User Subscription Licenses will receive rights to Windows 7 Year 1 ESU for no additional costs. After March 1, 2020, when the Product Terms have been updated, the Windows 7 Year 1 ESU will be automatically included and will not require any concessions or amendments.
Extended Security Updates are the only way to continue using Windows 7 securely within the enterprise beyond the end of support. It will not be free as usual, but only as a paid service. Extended updates for Windows 7 Enterprise, used in most enterprises, is approximately $25 per machine, and the cost doubles to $50 per device in 2021 and again to $100 in 2022. For Windows 7 Pro users in smaller firms, the pricing starts at $50 per machine and jumps to $100 in 2021 and $200 in 2022. These costs will vary depending on the volume of PCs in use at a business, and some larger firms can negotiate discounts for thousands of machines. This can be supported as part of a wider consultative engagement by our Microsoft Advisory Services team.
The decision by Microsoft to retire Windows 7 isn’t surprising. The decade-old operating system, which launched on July 22, 2009, may have been incredibly popular – and it still is with recent reports from Netmarketshare suggesting that Windows 7 is still being used on more than 40% of all PCs. However, in the shadow of Windows 10’s success, it only makes sense for Microsoft to dedicate its time and effort in improving the new OS.
Although Windows 7 has reached its end-of-support phase that doesn't mean your PC´s will suddenly stop working. We've put together the key facts you need to know about Windows 7 Extended Security Updates to keep you going for a maximum of three years after January 14, 2020.