GOOGLE Chrome fans may have to find an alternative web browser as the app will no longer be safe on some older machines.
Support for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 is coming to an end, in line with Microsoft’s own discontinuation plans.
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While the browser will still work, they won’t be serviced with essential security updates.
This means any vulnerabilities won’t be patched up and hackers can exploit them.
Microsoft will stop providing essential security updates for both Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 on Tuesday.
And Google will follow suit with its most popular app.
Chrome is expected to receive its first update around February 7.
This will be the first version of Chrome to only work on Windows 10 or later.
So if you’re still using Chrome on one of these aged operating systems, you might want to consider your options now.
Support for Windows 7 was actually stopped back in January 2020.
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But Microsoft continued to provide extended support to companies who need to run certain legacy Microsoft products past the end of support.
Just over 10 per cent of Windows desktop devices were still running Windows 7 as of November, according to Stat Counter data.
The widely-disliked Windows 8.1 is apparently still running on 2.5 per cent of machines.
“Chrome 109 is the last version of Chrome that will support Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1. Chrome 110 (tentatively scheduled for release on February 7th, 2023) is the first version of Chrome that requires Windows 10 or later,” Google announced back in October.
“You’ll need to ensure your device is running Windows 10 or later to continue receiving future Chrome releases.
“This matches Microsoft’s end of support for Windows 7 ESU and Windows 8.1 extended support on January 10th, 2023.”
Google has already been warning affected users.
A popup has been showing up on Chrome for sometime.
So be sure to heed the advice if it’s appeared on yours.
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
