{
	"id": "bf0a4dcf-dae2-469c-b35a-d927e72a6fcf",
	"created_at": "2026-04-06T01:31:31.781851Z",
	"updated_at": "2026-04-10T03:21:12.210426Z",
	"deleted_at": null,
	"sha1_hash": "087e0d5b1451dcd44763bd3b5d39fa44896431a8",
	"title": "What does it mean if Windows isn't supported?",
	"llm_title": "",
	"authors": "",
	"file_creation_date": "0001-01-01T00:00:00Z",
	"file_modification_date": "0001-01-01T00:00:00Z",
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	"plain_text": "What does it mean if Windows isn't supported?\r\nArchived: 2026-04-06 01:27:37 UTC\r\nApplies To\r\nAn unsupported version of Windows doesn't receive software updates from Microsoft. These updates include\r\nsecurity updates that protect your PC from harmful viruses, spyware, and other malicious software, which can\r\nsteal your personal information. Windows Update also installs the latest software updates to improve the\r\nreliability of Windows, which includes new drivers for your hardware.\r\nIf you have devices running an unsupported version of Windows, we recommend upgrading them to a more\r\ncurrent, in-service, and supported Windows release. If your devices don't meet the technical requirements to run a\r\nmore current release of Windows, we recommend that you replace the device with one that supports Windows 11.\r\nFor more information, see Windows 11 system requirements.\r\nWhen does support end for my version of Windows?\r\nWindows version End of support date\r\nWindows 10 October 14, 2025\r\nWindows 8.1 January 10, 2023\r\nWindows 10 Mobile January 14, 2020\r\nWindows 7 January 14, 2020\r\nWindows Vista April 11, 2017\r\nWindows 8 January 12, 2016\r\nWindows XP April 08, 2014\r\nTo check the end-of-support dates for all versions of Windows, see the product lifecycle information for Windows.\r\nhttps://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/18539/windows-7-change-default-programs\r\nPage 1 of 3\n\nIf your version of Windows is still supported, you should always install the latest updates for Windows. To\r\ndownload and install these updates, use Windows Update in the Settings app.\r\nDevices running an unsupported version of Windows will still function, but Microsoft doesn't provide the\r\nfollowing:  \r\nTechnical support of any issue\r\nSoftware updates\r\nSecurity updates or fixes\r\nWhile you could continue to use your PC, without continued software and security updates your PC is at greater\r\nrisk for viruses and malware. We recommend upgrading to a version of Windows that's still supported. A new\r\ndevice that can run Windows 11 makes for an easy transition and a great experience. \r\nYes. If you continue to use an unsupported version of Windows, your PC will still work, but it's more vulnerable\r\nto security risks and viruses. Your PC will continue to start and run, but you won't receive software updates,\r\nincluding security updates, from Microsoft.\r\nFor more information about the support policy, see the Microsoft support lifecycle policy FAQ.\r\nThere are a few options for using a supported version of Windows: \r\nRecommended: New PC with Windows 11 - Windows 11 is the most current version of Windows. If you\r\nhave an older PC, we recommend you move to Windows 11 by buying a new PC. Hardware and software\r\nhave improved a lot, and today's computers are faster, more powerful, and more secure. View Windows 11\r\nPCs\r\nInstalling Windows 11 on your current PC - You can also see if your current PC meets the minimum\r\nsystem requirements for Windows 11. PCs that are running an unsupported version of Windows are\r\nunlikely to meet these requirements, but if yours does, you can purchase and download a full version of\r\nWindows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro or buy from a retailer. If you do choose this path, you'll need to\r\nreinstall your apps. In some cases, a newer version of the app may be required. You also need to transition\r\nfiles, data, and settings. The installation overwrites the contents of your existing hard drive. It may be\r\neasier for you to first upgrade to Windows 10 and then upgrade to Windows 11.\r\nInstalling Windows 10 on your current PC - Windows 10 is still available and will be supported until\r\nOctober 14, 2025. You can check if your current PC meets the minimum system requirements for Windows\r\n10. If it does, you can check with retailers to see if they still offer Windows 10 for sale.\r\nThere are two ways you can get Windows 11: \r\nRecommended: New PC with Windows 11 - Windows 11 is the most current version of Windows. If you\r\nhave an older PC, we recommend you move to Windows 11 by buying a new PC. Hardware and software\r\nhave improved a lot, and today's computers are faster, more powerful, and more secure. View Windows 11\r\nPCs\r\nhttps://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/18539/windows-7-change-default-programs\r\nPage 2 of 3\n\nInstalling Windows 11 on your current PC - You can also see if your current PC meets the minimum\r\nsystem requirements for Windows 11. If it does, you can purchase and download a full version of Windows\r\n11 Home or Windows 11 Pro or buy from a retailer. If you do choose this path, you'll need to reinstall your\r\napps. In some cases, a newer version of the app may be required. You also need to transition files, data, and\r\nsettings. The installation overwrites the contents of your existing hard drive. It may be easier for you to\r\nfirst upgrade to Windows 10 and then upgrade to Windows 11.\r\nThere currently aren't free upgrade paths from unsupported versions of Windows to either Windows 10 or\r\nWindows 11. You can purchase Windows 11 from Microsoft or contact a retailer to learn about more options. You\r\ncan upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 for free. \r\nIt's easy to bring your files and photos to a new PC using OneDrive, a cloud storage service. You can back up and\r\nprotect your files online in the cloud and then sync onto a new PC. Syncing the files between your new PC and the\r\ncloud allows you to store the file locally for offline use when you don't have internet access. They're also stored on\r\nthe OneDrive service in the cloud where you can restore them if something happens. OneDrive can automatically\r\nkeep the two versions in sync as changes are made. \r\nLearn how to move files with OneDrive\r\nIf OneDrive isn't the best fit for you, you can also use an external hard drive or USB key to copy over files. \r\nNeed more help?\r\nWant more options?\r\nExplore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.\r\nSource: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/18539/windows-7-change-default-programs\r\nhttps://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/18539/windows-7-change-default-programs\r\nPage 3 of 3",
	"extraction_quality": 1,
	"language": "EN",
	"sources": [
		"MITRE"
	],
	"references": [
		"https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/18539/windows-7-change-default-programs"
	],
	"report_names": [
		"windows-7-change-default-programs"
	],
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