Lately, we’ve had quite a few customers ask us about getting rid of Windows 10 and downgrading back to Windows 7.  Why would anyone want to downgrade you ask? To put it plain and simple, they are tired of Windows 10 Feature Update issues.

Since Windows 10 was released in 2015, several users from around the world have reported various issues after Microsoft would force (mostly in evening time) their quarterly Feature Update. User’s would awake to a computer that simply wouldn’t… wake!  This results in significant downtime due to (most of the time) lengthy problem solving to figure out the fix for the failed windows update.  If a Windows rollback is necessary, this takes quite a bit of time too.

Fortunately, as time as passed, Microsoft has been working the bugs out of each Windows 10 Feature Update and it’s becoming lesser of an issue than how it was. We suggest if you continue to have problems, take a moment to read Windows 10: Steps to Prevent Update Issues. Good things take time and we believe Windows 10 is on the right path to becoming an excellent operating system choice.

Back to Windows 7 — All of this makes Windows 7 a preferred choice of many still – including businesses.  Heck, we’ve even heard recent stories of businesses buying brand new Windows 7 machines at liquidation discount (see discount reasoning below). They are keeping them stored away in their original boxes in case of future machine failure all to avoid Windows 10.

Unfortunately, what most aren’t aware of is that Windows 7 has a support update ‘shelf life’ and here it is:

Windows 7 Support

Client operating systems End of mainstream support End of extended support
Windows 7, service pack 1 January 13, 2015 January 14, 2020

So, what is the difference between “Mainstream Support” and “Extended Support”?  See below:

Mainstream Support – ENDED
  • Incident support (no-charge incident support, paid incident support, support charged on an hourly basis, support for warranty claims)
  • Security update support
  • The ability to request non-security updates
Extended Support – (To end soon)
  • Paid support only
  • Security update support at no additional cost
  • Non-security related updates requires Extended Hotfix Support to be purchased (per-fix fees also apply)

With that explained, you see Windows 7 has been in an Extended Support cycle since January 13, 2015 and is expiring January 14th, 2020.  When Windows 7 reaches end of extended support, there will be:

  • No paid support
  • No security updates
  • No hotfixes for modern hardware or software

All of which makes your system(s) completely vulnerable for an attack, intrusion, or future hardware/software incompatibility.  As of the time writing this article, It is NOT recommended to acquire any Windows 7 machines unless you wish to re-purchase and/or upgrade it within 18 months from now.

If you’re interested in a Windows 10 machine, we have a variety of systems available for you to choose from.  We are a Microsoft Registered Refurbisher and provide deep discounts for businesses and personal users needing to upgrade your computer without breaking the bank on a new system.

Make the right choice, we’ll help you every step of the way.. contact us today.