Facing a backlash, Microsoft pulls post claiming Windows 7 is 'no longer able to keep up'

At the end of last week, Microsoft Germany published a post waving an early goodbye to Windows 7, and stating that the aging OS can "no longer keep up with the increased security requirements", and sticking with it could prove costly for users and businesses.

The software giant’s solution for Windows 7 users worried about security was, naturally, to switch to Windows 10. But, having faced an inevitable backlash from Windows 7 users and security experts, the company has pulled the post.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft waves an 'early goodbye' to Windows 7, pushes Windows 10 upgrades

Anyone clicking the link will find it now goes to an "Oops! That page can’t be found" message.

It’s perhaps not surprising that Microsoft took the step of removing the piece, because while -- out of the box at least -- Windows 10 is more secure, the post was full of FUD, and painted a grim, and rather inaccurate picture of the future of Windows 7.

Among the claims the original post made was this (translation via Google Translate):

The clock is ticking: Discontinued Model Windows 7

Windows 7 is designed for the wireless world of the late 2000s: Two years ago, ended the fundamental support of Windows 7, which lasts generally five years. Since then, users still receive all important security updates, but no new functionality…

Since then, Windows 7 has been migrating more and more onto the siding, as is shown by the continuously declining number of users. According to StatCounter Windows 7 was the first time 10 overtaken this month by Windows on the German market: the share of Windows 7 is around 33 percent. Windows 10, on the other hand, has a share of almost 35 percent. Thus, Windows 10 now runs on more than every third PC in Germany. On more than 400 million devices, Windows 10 continues its global success story.

Windows 7 is based on long-outdated security architectures. Three years before the end of the support, corporate customers in particular should deal with the transition to a modern operating system in good time. Companies and users who are on their way to Windows 7 with their sensitive data within three years are faced with enormous dangers. Already today, virtually every company expects cyber attacks, 51 percent of all German companies have been victims of such attacks.

It’s fine, sensible even, for Microsoft to point out that extended support for Windows 7 will come to an end in three years’ time, but there are better ways to get the message across than this post managed, and it’s good to see Microsoft realizing this.

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