Released in 2009, Windows 7 became the most popular version of the Windows operating system. Even after the release of its successor (Windows 8 and 8.1), Windows 7 still accounted for 55.99 percent of all the desktop operating systems. After all, it did give you improved performance, expanded security, and new remote access methods like Direct Access and Branch Cache.
2012 saw the release of Windows 8, which was considered to be the most ambitious version of Windows. Although this update saw the addition of the features such as interactive tiles, Windows store, and airplane mode, there were no new hardware requirements for your PC. In another words, even if your desktop or computer was operating on Windows Vista, it should be able to handle Windows 8. Windows 8.1 was released two years later in 2014. Most of the Microsoft users still preferred Windows 7 to this latest version.
Windows 10 was launched in 2015 and lots of people around the world took advantage of the free upgrade. However, this version is not without its own issues. While the initial bugs have been fixed, there are some problems that still persist such as the WiFi is not discoverable or the fact that it drains your battery. Because of these issues, a number of Microsoft users have gone back to their previous version of the system.
Bad news for Windows 10 haters
Whether you are a staunch supporter of the previous OS versions or simply don’t like Windows 10, there is a bad news for you. This US Tech giant has decided to end the sales for both Windows 7 as well as Windows 8 operating systems. What does it actually mean? Microsoft explained, “End of sales refers to the date when a particular version of Windows is no longer shipped to retailers or Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)”.
OEMs are PC manufacturers like Toshiba and Dell that usually had the Windows software pre-installed on them. Microsoft had stopped selling Windows 7 and 8 to the retailers two years ago. And now the last official way to buy copies of the previous version of Windows is gone too. All the new PCs will come equipped with Windows 10 now. In other words, you can say goodbye to your option of downgrading to the previous OS if you don’t like Windows 10.
Some time left
Windows 7 was on sale for almost seven years since its launch, and Windows 8 and 8.1 were on sale for only four years. Compared to them, the sale and growth of Windows 10 has been almost non-existent after the end of the free upgrade offer. Microsoft may have ended the sale of these previous versions to give Windows 10 a mighty boost that it desperately requires.
Do not fret if you have Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 on your desktop or laptop, you will receive support for these two version right until January 2020 and 2023 respectively. You have three years, give or take a couple of months, to get used to Windows 10.
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