Microsoft Official Declaration October 2016

As of 31^st October 2016 Microsoft officially declared Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 dead, at least as far as OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) PC makers are concerned.  This has resulted in it becoming increasingly difficult to obtain a new computer with Windows 7.

From the 1^st November 2016 Microsoft’s largest partners companies such as Dell, HP, Lenovo etc would no longer be able to build and sell new PCs running any version of Windows except Windows 10. Let’s face it, who is going to upset Microsoft by defying them?

As it happens that was actually a two year extension on what would have been the normal sales life cycle for PCs running earlier Windows Operating Systems (OS). So now, as of May 2017 the clock has finally run out.

That does not mean that Windows 7 or 8.1 are officially dead. Microsoft will continue to update Windows 7 with security fixes until 14^th January 2020 and with Windows 8.1 until 10^th January 2023. That is of course at this time of writing (May 2017) and anything can happen between those dates.

49% of Worldwide Computers Still Run Windows 7

As 49% of the computers worldwide still run Windows 7, which is 22 months after Windows 10 was released on the 1^st August 2015 then this timeline could be pushed back as it was with Windows XP.

Options for Obtaining a New Computer with Windows 7

There are still some options for obtaining a new computer with Windows 7 but they are few and far between…

1. The first is existing inventory (already built computers) which 6 months later could be scarce.
2. The next option (which is often not in fact an option) is downgrade rights. Any new PC you buy today that has Windows 10 Professional on it can be downgraded to Windows 8.1 Pro or Windows 7 Pro for as long as Microsoft provides support for these two OS. Please note however: You must supply your own installation media and you need to manually activate the product with Microsoft. Also there is the problem of the necessary hardware drivers needed for that computer. These may not be available from the manufacturer. Hardware drivers are small software packages designed to allow hardware to communicate with the Operating System installed. Basically if the manufacturer does not provide the necessary drivers then the work downgrading might all be in vain, so it’s best to check first with each make and model.
3. The next is corporate customers with volume licences which include imaging rights can setup either OS as preferred.
4. The next option is smaller “white-box” PC makers who have purchased Windows 7 or 8.1 and still have licences to sell can still build computers.
5. Build your own computer or have us do it for you. Microsoft no longer manufactures retail copies of older Windows versions but there could be opportunity to purchase an older copy on the Internet legally.

Problems in Obtaining a New Computer with Windows 7

One last thing on Windows 7 and building or replacing computers is that many of the manufacturers of motherboards and hence computers as well, are already bowing to the almighty Microsoft and are now making their products so that Windows 7 will not run on them, just Windows 10, good eh? I am talking about Intel’s Kaby Lake processors here as Intel has also bowed to Microsoft’s demands to make sure only Windows 10 is supported. That does not necessarily mean Windows 7 won’t run BUT there is no support from Intel nor probably from the motherboard manufacturer and when you inevitably run into problems as you invariably will, there will be nowhere to turn.

If you would like any more advice or assistance regarding obtaining a new computer with Windows 7 please contact us at Affordable Computer Repairs and Service in Brisbane on 3397 1215.