German government paying thousands to keep using Windows 7
Extended security updates aren’t cheap
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The German federal government will pay at least €800,000 ($886,000) toMicrosoftthis year in order to keep its remaining systems runningWindows 7updated and patched.
Now thatWindows 7has reached end of support (EoS), Microsoft will no longer provide free security updates and bug fixes for theoperating systemwhich is why Germany will pay such a large sum to keep over 33,000 government workstations still running Windows 7 secure.
Last year, the software giant announced a paid program for governments and enterprise partners namedWindows 7 Extended Security Updates(ESU) that will provide paid access to Windows 7 security updates until January 10, 2023.
ESU updates cost between $25 and $200 per workstation depending on whether a company is running the Enterprise or Pro version of Windows 7 and the amount of time they’ll need the updates for.
Extended security updates
Organizations that continue using Windows 7 without signing up for ESU are putting themselves at significant risk. Microsoft even went as far as to usefullscreen pop-upsto convince home users and small businesses to upgrade to the latest version of Windows.
The German government began the process of migrating toWindows 10in 2018, according to a report from the German newspaper Handelsblatt. The publication also revealed that in Berlin alone, the local government runs 20,000 Windows 7 systems.
Unfortunately though, not all users are eligible for Microsoft’s ESU program as the company has limited it to large clients and because of this, all other users should upgrade toWindows 10as soon as possible.
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The German government isn’t the only one paying a large sum to have its remaining Windows 7 machines covered by the ESU program as a report has revealed that Ireland’s Health Service Executive will pay €1.1m ($1.2m) in 2020 and 2021 for security updates for 46,000 computers.
ViaZDNet
After working with the TechRadar Pro team for the last several years, Anthony is now the security and networking editor at Tom’s Guide where he covers everything from data breaches and ransomware gangs to the best way to cover your whole home or business with Wi-Fi. When not writing, you can find him tinkering with PCs and game consoles, managing cables and upgrading his smart home.
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