Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Google’s Chrome browser is leaving Windows 7 and 8.1 behind.
- To access new versions of Google’s Chrome browser, users will have to upgrade to Windows 10 or 11.
- The next upgrade for the Chrome browser is expected to arrive in February 2023.
If you’re still on Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, it may be time for you to update. Google has decided enough is enough and is ending Chrome support for the out-of-date versions of Microsoft’s operating system.
When new updates come out, some people like to install updates right away, others like to wait, and some choose not to update at all. This is particularly the case with major operating system version updates. For those who are still sticking it out with Windows 7 or 8.1, it looks like Google is going to force you to make a choice.
On Google’s Chrome Help blog, the company states that it will sunset support for Windows 7 and 8.1 with the arrival of Chrome 110. Scheduled for release on February 7, 2023, Chrome users will have to be on Windows 10 or 11 if they want to keep receiving access to new builds of Chrome.
If you’re still using Windows 7 or 8.1, you’ll still have access to the Chrome browser. However, you won’t have access to any of the improvements Google makes to Chrome until you update your operating system.
Essentially, Google is asking you what matters more to you: Windows 7 or Chrome?
From a security standpoint, it’s always recommended to update as soon as possible to fix bugs and vulnerabilities. So, if you don’t want to be worrying about viruses and other problems, it may just be time to accept the inevitable and upgrade.
