Microsoft just announced that Windows 7, which reaches end of support on January 14, will start showing full-screen upgrade notifications on the desktop.
These messages will warn users that Windows 7 is no longer supported while also encouraging them to upgrade to Windows 10.
This specific notification will start appearing from January 15, one day after the installation of the latest security updates in Windows 7.
Microsoft says that all Windows 7, Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate with Service Pack 1 will start showing the notification.
The good news is that users will be able to dismiss the message and that Microsoft will give options to show it later or not show it again. There will also be a “learn more” link for those who want to read more information on Windows 7 support and upgrade options.
“Starting January 15, 2020, a full-screen notification will appear describing the risk of continuing to use Windows 7 Service Pack 1 after support ends on January 14, 2020. The notification will remain on the screen until you close it,” Microsoft says.
Additionally, the company says that the notification will not appear on computers connected under a domain or on machines that operate as kiosks.
Windows 7 is currently the second most widely used version of Windows with a market share of around 25%. This means that 1 in 4 Windows computers are running Windows 7, almost a month before the end of support.
Those of you thinking about upgrading to Windows 10 can get very cheap licenses from the links below (prices may have changed):
Microsoft Windows 10 Home (OEM/Retail) €4.36
Microsoft Windows 10 Professional (OEM/Retail) €4.92
Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Datacenter €24.49
If you do not have a legal Windows 7 installation key, you can obtain it from the link below (prefer retail versions rather than OEM, so you can upgrade to Windows 10)
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (OEM/Retail) €4.19
____________________
