Microsoft Finally Stops Selling Windows 7 and Windows 8.1

    Even though there’s plenty to like about Windows 10, some folks would still rather buy a Windows 7 computer. Unfortunately for those people, it’s about to get a lot harder to do that.Why?  Because Microsoft has finally stopped selling Windows 7 (and Windows 8.1) licenses to computer manufacturers. This isn’t something that companies like Dell and HP didn’t see coming. Microsoft had set the date ages ago, and we’re past it now.Because Microsoft has finally stopped selling Windows 7 (and Windows 8.1) licenses to computer manufacturers. This isn’t something that companies like Dell and HP didn’t see coming. Microsoft had set the date ages ago, and we’re past it now.Because Microsoft has finally stopped selling Windows 7 (and Windows 8.1) licenses to computer manufacturers. This isn’t something that companies like Dell and HP didn’t see coming. Microsoft had set the date ages ago, and we’re past it now.

        The good news for any of you out there who are still trying to avoid Windows 10 and need to replace an or upgrade a machine is that this doesn’t mean all the remaining Windows 7 licenses are going to suddenly disappear. Plenty of retailers will have inventory on hand for quite some time.Some will still have brand new desktops and laptops available that ship with Windows 7. You may have to go looking for a system built for business environments, though, as most of the systems built for consumers have been shipping with Windows 10 since the second half of 2015.     There is a downside to doing that. Systems built for the corporate world tend not to give you great bang for your buck, but if you’re dead set on avoiding Windows 10… well, there’s a good chance you’ll overpay for hardware at this point.    On a good note, you won’t be at risk of running a computer that’s vulnerable to attack from the first day you fire it up. Extended support for Windows 7 doesn’t get cut off until January 2020, so you’ll receive critical updates for a little over three more years.