Windows 7 continues to be the most widely used desktop operating system in the world, despite the fact that the end of its support by Microsoft is inexorably approaching, being scheduled for January 2020. Since Redmond has serious difficulties in "moving" users from Windows 7 to Windows 10, it is thinking about alternatives to entice people to take this step.
As a first initiative, Microsoft has announced that in all likelihood Windows 7 support will be extended for a few more years, at least until 2023, but for a fee. Users who don't want to abandon the Windows 7 operating system in favor of Windows 10 will have to pay to receive every single security update coming from Microsoft. At the moment Redmond has not yet let us know the exact amount of money to be paid to receive Windows 7 updates, while it is almost a given that it will be a standard amount that will however increase from update to update.
Windows 7, paid updates and increased from year to year
As in the case of Windows XP custom updates, the price of these patches would increase every year, as Microsoft insists on a definitive upgrade of users to Windows 10. Windows 7 updates will be available for all customers, both Professional and Enterprise.
In addition to the updates, the compatibility on Windows 7 operating system of the Office 365 ProPlus program has also been extended. The Office Plus package will therefore be usable on Windows 7 PCs until 2023. Windows 7 currently has a market share that is around 40 percent higher than Windows 10, but Redmond expects to reverse the trend by the end of 2018 or by the first quarter of 2019 at the latest with this decision to pay for updates. To ease the transition, there are also discounts for those who leave Windows 7 to buy a Windows 10 Enterprise or Windows 10 Education version.