In what could be good news for Chrome for Windows 7 users, Google has decided to extend Chrome’s support for Windows 7 through January 2022. Earlier this year, Google announced that Chrome would remain compatible with Windows 7 until July 2021. Google’s decision to prolong the Chrome – Windows 7 deadline is influenced by the set of challenges faced by organizations of all sizes in the wake of the pandemic.
Google Chrome for Windows 7 extension
Throughout 2020, IT businesses faced so many difficult decisions, including their transition to work-from-home arrangements. Due to overall business uncertainty, some planned IT projects had to take a back seat.
“After assessing the current situation, and based on feedback from our valued enterprise customers, Chrome is extending our support for Windows 7 until at least January 15, 2022. That’s a 6-month extension from our previously communicated date of July 15, 2021,” said Max Christoff, Engineering Director, Chrome.
In the meantime, Google will also evaluate its enterprise customers’ conditions and communicate additional changes in the future.
‘Many organizations are still relying on Windows 7’
Per IT pros reporting using Windows OS in their organizations, global migration to Windows 10 slowed down amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Although 78 percent of organizations have fully migrated to Windows 7, 21 percent are still migrating to Windows 10 as a part of many organizations’ roadmap for the year. Meanwhile, 1 percent of organizations are planning to start Windows 10 migration soon.
“Our hope is that this extension gives our enterprise customers the flexibility they need to continue supporting their workforce, while moving off of Windows 7 as their situation allows,” Christoff added.
Google wants to provide enterprise Windows 7 users with Chrome’s security features, including Safe Browsing, Site Isolation, and advanced password and phishing protection.
IT teams can also benefit from Chrome’s existing enterprise capabilities and future roadmap. For example, you can take advantage of Google’s Cloud Management and Group Policies to manage Chrome on Windows 7.
