By Pascal Oparada
Social Media/Tech Reporter
Microsoft has warned Windows 7 users that they run the risk of cyber-attacks if they fail to upgrade to its latest Windows as it prepares to end update for it soon.
“After 10 years of service, January 14, 2020, is the last day Microsoft will offer security updates for computers running Windows 7 SP1. This update enables reminders about Windows 7 end of support,” the company wrote in a patch on Wednesday.
Microsoft is pivoting users to their stronger and more reliable Windows 10 which it released two years ago.
Starting April 18, the company will begin to issue regular warnings to users on the need to update to its latest Windows 10 and the approaching cut-off.
Net Applications reports that Windows 7 still commands 40 percent of the desktop market. With 300 days still left, time is running out on consumer security support.
In 2017, Microsoft released a rare security patch for Windows XP, which it retired three years earlier, in order to protect users from WannaCry, a ransomware which took out hospitals, schools, and other businesses.
Windows 7 successor, Windows 8 will continue to receive updates until January 2023.