The world is changing. Windows 7 is set to reach end of support next year. But if you’d like things to stay the same, you can keep deploying Windows 7 updates after the deadline.
It will cost you a pretty penny, though.
We have some new intelligence on just what it will cost to keep this classic OS up-to-date with security patches and vulnerability fixes. Microsoft has offered estimated pricing for updates to partners. And needless to say, they won’t come cheap.
Mary Jo Foley of ZDNet has gotten a whiff of the details of the custom support Microsoft will offer under its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program.
According to the leaked information, customers will have to pay $50 per Windows 7 device in the first year after end of support is reached. The price will double, beginning the next year, at $100 a pop. Another 100% hike will take place in the third year when Redmond will charge $200 per device.
Here’s a look at the custom support pricing for Windows 7:
These are, obviously, for the Pro variant of the operating system. Windows 7 Enterprise users will get a neat 50% off for all package.
Though both set of customers will have to pay for the previous years of updates if they join sometimes in the second or third year. And this is not for consumers either, meaning you should not expect to hand Microsoft $50 and buy extended support.
Basically, the whole idea behind this initiative is to provide customers with Windows 7 support until they are ready to upgrade to a newer version of the OS. Users have the option of both Windows 8.1 and Windows 10, with Microsoft naturally hoping for these people to upgrade to the newest version.
And while almost half the world is still running Windows 7, the major concern is of users that are unable to upgrade due to app compatibility problems.
Microsoft recently found out that 99% of the software running on Windows 7 works flawlessly on Windows 10, but things definitely become complex for organizations that have custom programs that are not compatible.
These users still have about a year to plan their upgrades, ahead of the January 2020 deadline.
Beyond that, they will have two options — remain unpatched and face the risks of potential exploits, or pay Microsoft, what is clearly a heavy price, for custom support.
What will you choose?
