Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1 users are increasingly limited in their options. Microsoft has officially announced the end of support for the Microsoft Edge browser and the WebView2 platform on older operating systems, including Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1, and certain versions of Windows Server. Google had already taken the same measure with Chrome for these operating systems on February 7, 2023.
Now, with the end of extended support for Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1, and the end of Google Chrome support for these platforms, version 109 of Microsoft Edge and WebView2 Runtime will be the last to support these operating systems. This means that later versions of Microsoft Edge and WebView2 Runtime will not be available for these platforms and will not receive new features, security updates, or bug fixes.
Support for Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2, however, will be extended until October 2023, with Microsoft Edge version 109 being the last to be supported on these platforms. In the meantime, Internet Explorer 11 will remain supported on these operating systems as long as they are within the support period.
Developers are encouraged to update their applications to newer operating systems, thus ensuring continued functionality and security for their users. While acknowledging the challenges this may pose, Microsoft emphasizes that ending support for older operating systems will help keep users safe from potential security threats.
For those looking to get the latest versions of Microsoft Edge and WebView2 Runtime with updated functionality and security, Microsoft recommends upgrading to Windows 10 or later.
The end of support for these older operating systems marks a significant change in the Microsoft ecosystem, reflecting the company’s continued commitment to security and modernization of its platforms.
For more information and guidance on this change, users and developers can visit Microsoft’s official website.
