The sale of new machines with Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1 operating systems preinstalled are no longer available to retailers and OEMs; Dell, HP, Lenovo, Toshiba — PC manufacturers who pre-install Windows.

Though the end of the Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 sales life cycle does not mean that those older versions are completely dead and there are still ways to run a preferred older version.

When purchasing a new machine, you can still downgrade from Windows 10 to the old Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, which is available through the downgrade rights from Windows 10.

Windows 7 will also continue to receive security fixes via Windows Update until 14 January 2020 and Windows 8.1 will be supported until 10 January 2023.

We do warn that there are risks running the increasingly ageing Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, especially on newer hardware. System manufacturers have no economic incentive to develop drivers and support tools for these older Windows versions — most downgrades will work, but there is the risk that some components might not work properly, or at all.

If you have any questions regarding your Windows operating system or are in need of support in upgrading or purchase of a machine, please be in touch with us at [email protected].