Google has announced that its Chrome browser will drop support for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 in the coming months, probably starting in February 2023, which is when Chrome version 110 is currently scheduled to be released.
Thus, by suspending support for those two versions of Windows, Google says that Chrome users will have to make sure their computers have at least Windows 10, forcing a forced Windows update if you want to continue using the browser.
Chrome 110 and Windows 10 required
“With the release of Chrome 110 (tentatively scheduled for February 7, 2023), we will officially end support for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 ,” Google Chrome Support Manager revealed . “You’ll need to make sure your device is running Windows 10 or later to continue receiving future versions of Chrome. This coincides with the end of Microsoft support for Windows 7 Extended Security Update (ESU) and extended support for Windows 8.1 on January 10, 2023.
Older versions of Chrome will continue to work , but no further updates will be released for users of these operating systems. If you’re currently running Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, we recommend that you switch to a supported version of Windows before that date to ensure you continue to receive the latest Chrome feature and security updates.”
According to data from StatCounter , currently 10.68% of users use Chrome on Windows 7 computers, while 2.7% do so on Windows 8.1 . This 13.39% of all Chrome users will have to choose between upgrading to a newer version of Windows or sticking with an old version of Chrome in perpetuity.
The importance of updating
Therefore, in case you are still working on Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 on your desktop PC or laptop, it is recommended that you update your system soon. Upgrading to the latest Windows operating system will help you get the latest updates and security improvements implemented by Chrome. It is also essential to keep your system up to date to protect yourself from malware attacks.
Notably, Google is removing Chrome support for those old Microsoft operating systems to match Microsoft’s Windows lifecycle policy . The policy lists the Extended Security Update (ESU) program for Windows 7 and the end of support for Windows 8.1 on January 10, 2023. That way, even if Chrome version 110 arrives on the scheduled date of January 7 February, Microsoft support would have already ended.
Google rolls out new updates and security fixes to keep the browser safe from viruses and malware . It also fixes security loopholes discovered in your outdated or old programs to keep you more secure and away from vulnerabilities. Additionally, it is also important to keep your browser up to date to keep your device safe and secure, protecting you from identity theft, phishing attacks, viruses, Trojans, spyware, adware, and other malware. The new updates also come with new features to improve the user experience.
