On 14 January 2020 Microsoft officially ended technical support for Windows 7, more than ten years after its release (22 October 2009). What does this mean in practice, and what should companies do?

What “end of support” means

From 14 January 2020, Microsoft no longer releases:

  • Security updates
  • Patches for vulnerabilities discovered after that date
  • Direct technical support

A PC running Windows 7 continues to work normally, but every new vulnerability discovered will not be fixed. Over time, security risks increase exponentially.

Do I have to upgrade?

Yes, if you use the PC for work or to access company data. An unpatched system is an attack vector for ransomware, data theft and other threats. Many insurance companies and compliance regulations (including GDPR) require supported operating systems.

How to upgrade to Windows 10

Microsoft offered free upgrades for certain periods, but the official free upgrade from Windows 7 ended some time ago. The options today are:

  1. Purchase a Windows 10/11 licence — between CHF 120 and CHF 200 for Home/Pro editions
  2. New hardware — often more cost-effective if the PC is old, as it comes with a licence included
  3. Enterprise licensing — for companies with many PCs, volume contracts are cheaper

Effects on Microsoft Office

Versions of Office earlier than 2016 may gradually lose compatibility with Microsoft 365 services. Here too, the recommendation is to upgrade.

What we do

DB Studio supports companies in planning and executing hardware fleet upgrades, with particular attention to data migration and operational continuity during the transition.