End of Support notifications for Windows 7 Pro users
Microsoft started to inform Windows 7 Home users that support for the operating system was about to run out. From this week on, the notifications will also be shown to users running devices with Windows 7 Pro.
The company’s Windows 7 operating system will run out of support in January 2020. The operating system is in the extended support phase currently which means that Microsoft will provide security updates for it.
Microsoft won’t release any updates for home versions of Windows 7 after the January 2020 Patch Day, Enterprise and business customers may extend the end of support by up to three years by paying Microsoft for extended support.
Enterprise customers may pay $50, $100 and $200 US Dollars respectively per user and year (the fee doubles each year), business customers the same for Enterprise editions and half the price for Pro editions but not per user but per device.
End of support notifications
The end of support notifications are delivered to the user by an update: KB4493132, Windows 7 SP1 support notification, enables the notifications on devices running Windows 7.
The update is pushed via Windows Update automatically. It will be downloaded and installed automatically on devices with Windows Update enabled.
The notification is only displayed on Windows 7 Pro devices that are not domain-joined.
It displays a window on the screen that users need to interact with.
After 10 years, support for Windows 7 is nearing the end.
January 14, 2020 is the last day Microsoft will offer security updates and technical support for computers running Windows 7. We know change can be difficult, that’s why we’re reaching out early to help you back up your files and prepare for what’s next.
The windows has a big “learn more” prompt that leads to this page on the Microsoft website. The page advertises the company’s Windows 10 operating system and devices that run the operating system including new Surface devices but also devices made by third-party manufacturers such as Samsung, Acer, or Lenovo.
Windows 7 users who don’t want to see the notification again should check the “do not remind me again” box to avoid being notified multiple times about the impending support end.
Closing Words
Microsoft promised that it won’t bombard customers with notifications and the checkbox to block future notifications ensures that customer’s can block future notifications using it. There is certainly also the option to block the end of support update entirely to block it from entering the PC in first place. Check out this guide to remove it and block it if it is already on the PC. (via ZDnet)
Source https://www.ghacks.net/2019/10/17/end-of-support-notifications-for-windows-7-pro-users/