By Pedro Hernandez | Posted 2014-07-09

 

Mainstream support for Windows 7 ends early next year, but there's no need to panic. Patches will continue for years to come.

 

Microsoft may be preparing for the end of Windows 7, but the popular desktop operating system still has plenty of years ahead of it.

 

The Redmond, Wash.-based company published an online support document that details which of its software products are closing in on their end of support dates. Among them is Windows 7.

 

Mainstream support for all editions of the best-selling OS, from the Home Basic to Enterprise, will end Jan. 13, 2015, the company announced. While dire-sounding, the reality is that Windows 7 users have several more years of patches to look forward to.

 

Microsoft's Support Lifecycle Policy FAQ explains that Microsoft's mainstream support phase includes paid support, security updates, design changes and non-security hotfixes. On Jan. 13, Windows 7 will move into the extended support phase.

 

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