Microsoft Ending Support for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 – January 2020
As we prepare for the holidays, businesses need to prepare for a huge change is support standards with Microsoft. On January 14, 2020, Microsoft will end extended support for its Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 operating systems. After this date, these products will no longer receive free technical support, or software and security updates. “While you could continue to use your PC running Windows 7, without continued software and security updates, it will be at a greater risk for viruses and malware. Going forward, the best way for you to stay secure is on Windows 10. And the best way to experience Windows 10 is on a new PC. While it is possible to install Windows 10 on your older device, it is not recommended.” (Microsoft.com) Organizations that have regulatory obligations may find that they are unable to satisfy compliance requirements while running Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.
Suggestions: The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) encourages users and organizations to:
- Upgrade to a newer operating system.
- Identify affected devices to determine the breadth of the problem and assess the risk of not upgrading.
- Establish and execute a plan to systematically migrate to currently supported operating systems or employ a cloud-based service.
- Contact the operating system vendor to explore opportunities for fee-for-service maintenance, if unable to upgrade.