On January 13th, 2015 Microsoft ended the “Mainstream” support phase for Windows 7 products.
Every Microsoft operating system comes with five years of mainstream support in which Microsoft provides security and non-security updates and complimentary online and telephone support. The confusion here stems from Microsoft's maddeningly obtuse naming conventions. Leaving mainstream support only means that Windows 7 won't be receiving any new features or product tweaks. You won't be able to call Microsoft for free help if you run into an issue with Windows 7 either.
Once a Windows desktop operating system leaves mainstream support, it enters the extended support phase—the very same support phase that Windows XP found itself in from early 2009 until its support was ended in April, 2014.
Business computers running Windows 7 are still available to customers. Microsoft has not announced when Windows 7 Pro will no longer be sent to retailers or manufacturers, but has said it will give one year's notice prior to that date, according to ZDNet.
Here’s a link to Microsoft’s support lifecycle reference guide.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/lifecycle
By Ira Morris
Windows 7 Mainstream Support Ends
Posted by Willie Kerns On
