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Windows users who are still running Windows 7 are already facing January 14, 2020, the expiration date of Windows 7 support. But if you regularly block updates, briefly remove this habit to allow a next hotfix Of March. Otherwise, support for Windows 7 will actually stop in July.
Here's what happens: Microsoft provides updates using the SHA-1 or SHA-2 encryption algorithm for security reasons. However, the company recently decided to completely remove the support for SHA-1 in an upcoming security update, which should begin shipping on March 12. This update will mark the move from Windows to using the more secure SHA-2 hashing algorithm. In July, Microsoft will begin providing Windows 7 security updates with the help of SHA-2. As a result, if your Windows 7 PC did not install the March 12 update to support SHA-2 before July 16, your Windows updates will end.
(Microsoft has not released the patch name yet, but the solution is simple: make sure Windows updates are enabled.)
If you're using Windows 10, do not worry: Microsoft says its Windows 10 updates (for versions 1709, 1803, and 1809, covering the latest updates), are signed two at a time with SHA- 1 and SHA-2. In June, these updates will go to SHA-2 only – but you have nothing to do. The updates will automatically move the hash algorithms, without any necessary changes on your part.
Microsoft has its own calendar for users running WSUS: Apply the update that Microsoft will send on March 12th at the latest on June 18th.
What does this mean for you? According to NetMarketshare, about 40% of the computers in the world are still running Windows 7, which means millions of users will run out of resources by the beginning of next year. But if you like the Windows 7 environment (hey, we do not judge), you need to make sure that Windows updates are enabled. Otherwise, this delay will come sooner than expected.
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