14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has started warning Windows 7 users of the approaching end of support scheduled to take place in January 2020.
German site DrWindows claims such notifications are currently displayed on devices both in the United States and in Europe, with users in Germany recently getting the same warning as well.
Users are being told that Windows 7 support is coming to an end, and Microsoft recommends them to upgrade to a new OS version as soon as possible in order to continue receiving updates.
A “learn more” link is also included in the notification, and it points users to a Microsoft support page providing additional information about the Windows 7 end of support.
Windows 7 going dark in January
Microsoft pushes Windows 10 as the recommended destination for Windows 7 users, but at the same time, the company also claims that buying a new computer is the best way to make the most of the new operating system.
“While you could continue to use your PC running Windows 7, without continued software and security updates, it will be at 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 says.
The notification is powered by update KB4493132, which was announced by Microsoft earlier this year. If you remove this update, the warning should no longer show up on the device.
However, the notification itself also comes with an option to block it from showing up once again in the future, so you can technically prevent this behavior without necessarily removing the update.
Windows 7 is scheduled to reach the end of support on January 14, 2020. It currently runs on more than 35 percent of the world’s computers.