Larger companies and organizations are often slower in switching to the most recent operating systems. They have begun testing Windows 11.
Microsoft has been warning users in the past that it will end extended support for Windows 7/8 and Windows 8.1 on Tuesday January 10. This means that those who use these operating systems need to upgrade to Windows 10/11 to continue receiving technical assistance and software updates.
Many users face a difficult decision. StatCounter reports that Windows 7 is installed on 11% worldwide desktops, Windows 8.1 on 2.59%, and Windows 8 on less then 1%.
This includes critical security updates delivered to Windows 7 by the ESU program (Extended Security Update). Support for the operating system was ended in January 2020. The company stated that a similar program would not be offered for Windows 8/8.1.
Comparatively, Windows 10 is installed in 68% of computers, while Windows 11 has been adopted slowly on 17%.
Windows 10 support will cease on October 14, 2025. Users who are still using Windows 7 or 8 must choose to upgrade to Windows 10 instead.
Larger companies and organizations are often slower in switching to the most recent operating systems. They have begun testing Windows 11.