Google announced today that the Google Chrome web browser will likely drop support for Windows 7 and 8.1 starting February 2023.
After support is discontinued for these two Windows versions, the company says Chrome users must ensure that their devices are running at least Windows 10.
"With the release of Chrome 110 (tentatively scheduled for February 7th, 2023), we'll officially end support for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1," Google Chrome Support Manager revealed.
"You'll need to ensure your device is running Windows 10 or later to continue receiving future Chrome releases."
Google's decision to drop support for these platforms matches Microsoft's Windows lifecycle policy, which lists the Extended Security Update (ESU) program for Windows 7 and the Windows 8.1 end of support on January 10, 2023.
Currently, Windows 7 is still running on over 10% of all Windows systems worldwide, while Windows 8.1 is just 2.7%, according to Statcounter GlobalStats.
The Google Chrome web browser has a market share of over 65%, followed by Safari with roughly 18% and Microsoft Edge with 4.32% (which uses the Chrome rendering engine with enhancements from Microsoft).
Users advised to upgrade
Even though older Google Chrome versions will work even after support is dropped on Windows 7 / 8.1, Google advises users to upgrade their systems to keep receiving security updates.
This matches Microsoft's advice for customers with systems running Windows versions out of support which no longer receive technical assistance or software updates, exposing their computers and data to security risks.
"Older versions of Chrome will continue to work, but there will be no further updates released for users on these operating systems," the Google employee added.
"If you are currently on Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, we encourage you to move to a supported Windows version before that date to ensure you continue to receive the latest security updates and Chrome features."
Comments
johnlsenchak - 1 year ago
Another death knell notice to Windows 8.1
cafejose - 1 year ago
The forced upgrade will mean for many people, buying a new computer. Some could afford this, and some could not.
NoneRain - 1 year ago
Windows 10 is supported til 2025. Any user with Win7/8.1 still can upgrade for free to Win10.
ThomasMann - 1 year ago
cafejose
What nonsense.... simply use Firefox...
nonerain
Why on earth would anyone using Win7 "up"grade to Win10 ?
BMOKincaid - 1 year ago
Unless with some upgrade (SSD as a boot drive, additional RAM) in existing Windows 7 machine, otherwise corporation already bought machines that are either running Windows 10 or 11, or both with 11 upgrade is still on transition.
There is also Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC releases that are 10 year of support (2019 LTSC, based on v1809), except for (2022 LTSC, based on v21H2) that is only 5 years.
Amigo-A - 1 year ago
As always, they will also screw up later by including an irremovable notice about the termination of support.
Google, Microsoft, when you leave - leave, and don't leave behind a bunch of "shit" to goodbye.
It is not possible to transfer all computers to Windows 10 and Windows 11 due to technical features and barriers that you yourself have set. If you do not know this, do not understand or do not want to understand, then you are worthless.
NoneRain - 1 year ago
And don't do their job reminding users that they will be vulnerable? Not everyone understands how these things works. The reminders are necessary.
Things change, m8, like you or not. Everything have an EOL, and everyone knows that.
If you're sitting in a 10yo PC, you can still upgrade for free to Win10 from 7 or 8.1. There is no limitation to do that.
If after 10-20y you can't afford a new cheap computer with a Pentium Gold or an Athlon, well, you have bigger problems to handle than a Chrome warning notice.
ThomasMann - 1 year ago
I have an i7 4770, 16Gb ram and a 1TB SSD in this over 19 year old desktop, and I have not seen many computers faster than this one, unless they cost at least four times the price.
There is absolutely no reason to change to anything other from a Win7. IF the security updates really stop, there is a large community of Win 7 users who will discuss how to deal with that. And also, why use Google Chrome ?
Given the reality of Win 10/11, no one will switch to those, and allow their money to go to a company like M$. If at all Linux would be a possibility.
I doubt very much a hacker worth his money will still write malware for Win7...
s220 - 1 year ago
Can I continue to use Windows 7 and that 'final' version of Chrome; and "worry" about not-having security-updates-via-newer-Chrome ... by using System Mechanic for security? What is wrong with that? Thanks! -Sid / Chicago
bilo33 - 1 year ago
Whoops. Scratch my post, I mixed up my version numbers
The update button is just gone.
noelprg4 - 1 year ago
unlike Google Chrome which had dropped support for Win7 & 8.x in January 2023, Mozilla Firefox will continue to support Win7/8.x until at least late 2024 as noted by the following sites:
https://www.neowin.net/news/firefox-gives-windows-7-and-8-users-more-than-one-extra-year-of-support/
https://www.ghacks.net/2023/03/28/firefox-to-support-windows-7-and-8-systems-well-into-2024-at-least/