I can understand them cutting XP support when they did considering they were 3 versions (Vista, 7, 8) of Windows past it. They only have so many resources to devote to an old OS that newer machines don't run. XP got to be really annoying with spyware and shit like that. I was glad to move on from it.

They aren't cutting extended 7 support until 2020 though. It's not that big of a deal IMO. In 6 years, you will want to be past 7.

I dont like 8 either, but I imagine the next Windows will be much better. They tend to go good/bad/good/bad. IE XP was good, Vista sucked, 7 is excellent, 8 sucks.

That escalated quickly...

Windows XP user here. Im still using XP, best gaming OS EVER. XP TILL I DIE!!! Suck on this microsoft. And I do own SP1 Win7, which FREEZES every few days and I have to restart pc. Legit copy, damn it. Doesnt even launch, much less play KOTOR 2. FROM STEAM!!!!!!! Wouldnt DOWNGRADE to 7 if it was last OS on Earth. Also, not sure what they put into that final XP update, but my AVG found 6 viruses in it. Must be shutdown codes for XP.

Shit... This is so much better than Windows 8.

Seriously?! That sucks, sometimes Microsoft is the worst. Win 8 is blocky is isnt an "Improved" win 7 or ANY windows! Ugh.

Like edthespacemarine, I'm still using Windows XP, so I don't really get the whole "no support = kill OS" concept. I've been using Windows XP for over a decade without a single antivirus program ever installed and to date I've never had a virus, and only had to move to a new computer because after 9 years of using my first one, the motherboard finally just failed. I've never taken a computer in to a tech support group and I can't see any reason I would have to.

So there isn't going to be "support" for Windows 7... and? Does that mean the OS mystically disappears from everybody's computers and now everyone literally HAS to switch to Windows 8 in order to turn their computers on? No? Then... keep using Windows 7, like I'm still using XP after 10+ years. No problems over here.

First of all, the Mainstream support ends in jan 2015... It is common to see this date stretched for at least one year. Windows 9 (which I expect to be the Windows 7 version to Windows 8) will launch before this date.

Second of all, we're talking about support, as in official support. How many of you EVER used/called MS support to your home computer? :)

Third, patches will be available and streamlined until 2020. Fourth, there is always internet forums and experts to find solution to your system problems.

There's nothing new under the sun. I see it as a right move since their main business isn't home computers (corporate licenses is where you find the gold pot) and some business opted to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows XP mostly for compatibility issues, but there's is where you find the corporate risks: legacy systems.

For home users, it isn't a big change. You can keep your home pc running it with windows 7 (even with windows xp) and still be happy. :)

Well that sucks... Though I guess if it just means no more service packs it's not a huge deal.
I suppose most problems have been fixed by this point, and if not I understand why they'd stopped working on Windows 7.
Their more recent Windows 8 has the more urgent things which need attended to... Like turning it into something other than an OS made specifically for Tablets.

This doesn't really mean anything that big. It'll be like XP, still getting little security updates for another infinity years.