Microsoft to Stop Offering Windows 7 and 8.1 in Computers Next Year
Windows PC owners loved Windows 7 and hated Windows 8, but soon they will not be able to buy a new computer without Windows 10.
Microsoft will stop offering new computers with Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 on Oct. 31, 2016, CNet reports.
Windows 7 computers can be sold until Oct. 31, 2016, but Windows 8 computers only until June 30, 2016.
Windows 8 was far less popular than Windows 7 and users complained about its features and missing Start Button. Microsoft released Windows 8.1 and brought back the Start Button in response.
According to the "Windows lifecycle fact sheet" spotted by ZDNet, all computers sold on Nov. 1, 2016 and after will be pre-installed with Windows 10. Businesses will be an exception since they have special license agreements that allow them to choose which operating system they will use for their company.
Microsoft really wants people to start using Windows 10. In fact, they want the new operating system to be installed on 1 billion devices as quick as they can.
Many PC owners are comfortable with Windows 7 and have refused to use the free upgrade to Windows 10 because they do not want to learn a whole new operating system.
If Windows 7 and 8.1 users decide to keep their older operating systems and not upgrade to Windows 10, they will be covered for quite a while because Microsoft will continue releasing updates for Windows 7 until the year 2020 and Windows 8 until 2023.
Microsoft is reminding users who reserved their copy of Windows 10 to perform the update via popups. Windows 10 is a free software upgrade for almost all PC owners. It will continue being free for one year.
Customers in the market for a new desktop or laptop can go to retail stores and purchase a computer with either Windows 8.1 or Windows 10. Most stores will have several models with Windows 8.1, but Microsoft is likely pressuring stores to sell mostly Windows 10 models.
Windows 10 comes with a new layout and graphics as well as the new Edge web browser. It has been available since July.
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