Definition: Windows 7 ESU

(Windows 7 Extended Security Updates) Security updates for Windows 7. Windows 7 was given end-of-life in January 2020, but Windows 7 ESU extended security updates for up to three years. Initially intended for large corporations that have relationships with Microsoft or Microsoft partners, the program was offered to small businesses. See Windows 7.

Why Stay with Windows 7?
Windows 7 is a stable operating system without all the extras of Windows 10. Like all software used for a long time, people become familiar with it and are loathe to change. For many people, upgrading to Windows 10 did not offer advantages in their day-to-day work; however, this can be said for many OS version upgrades.

In addition, 32-bit Windows 7 runs legacy 16-bit Windows apps, which are still running in many companies. In order to run a 16-bit program on any new machine, a 32-bit version of Win10 has to be purchased separately and installed. Windows 11 is 64-bit only. There are DOS emulators for 64-bit Windows computers but nothing is as straightforward for running legacy 16-bit applications than a 32-bit version of Windows.

The Message Windows 7 Users Dreaded

On January 20, 2020, this message appeared full screen on every Windows 7 computer and continued to appear periodically if users clicked Remind Me Later.