Google Chrome to stop working on millions of Windows PCs next week

KARACHI: Google is all set to release its Chrome 110 this year, tentatively on February 7th, 2023, and with the new release, the tech giant will also end its support for older Chrome versions. According to Google’s support page, Chrome 109 is the final version of Chrome supporting two older Microsoft operating systems– Windows 7 and Windows 8.1.

According to multiple reports, Business owners and employees still using Google’s Chrome browser on an older version of Windows will need to upgrade pronto.

Google initially had plans to halt support on July 15, 2021, but due to Covid-19, it pushed the deadline back first to January 15, 2022 and then to January 10, 2023.

‘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,’ explains Google’s Chrome Support Manager.

According to the tech giant, users will have to upgrade their systems with Windows 10 or 11 OS to continue using its cross-platform web browser Chrome. “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,” the blog post announcement further reads.

However, the older versions of Chrome will continue to work but will not receive any further updates released for users on these operating systems- Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1. Users are advised to upgrade to newer Windows as security updates are important for the OS.

It is pertinent to mention here that Windows 7 may be old, but it’s still used by millions of PCs around the world. According to statistics from NetMarketShare.com, 14 per cent of global Windows devices were still running Windows 7 in December 2021.

The company said at the time: ‘If your PC is running Windows 7, it will no longer receive security updates. Therefore, it’s important that you upgrade to a modern operating system such as Windows 10, which can provide the latest security updates to help keep you and your data safer,’ the company said on its support website.

‘If you continue to use Windows 7 after support has ended, your PC will still work, but it will become more vulnerable to security risks and viruses.

‘Your PC will continue to start and run, but you will no longer receive software updates, including security updates, from Microsoft.’