Microsoft extends Exchange Server 2010 End of Support with a surprising remark

Microsoft announced today that it will extend end of support for Exchange Server 2010 to October 13, 2020. Exchange Server 2010 support was about to run out on January 14, 2020 initially but Microsoft decided to extend support until October 13, 2020 of the same year.
Microsoft provides the following reason for extending support of the Server product:
Our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our customers is as strong as ever, and we recognize discontinuing support for a product that has been as popular and reliable as Exchange Server 2010 can be an adjustment.
Microsoft plans to end support for Exchange Server 2010 on October 13, 2020. The company notes that it won't provide technical support for problems and won't release any updates including security updates after that date.
What about Windows 7?
The discontinuation of a product that has "been popular and reliable" can be an adjustment. Know which other Microsoft product runs out of support on January 14, 2020? One that is still very popular, reliable, and loved by a dedicated customers? Windows 7.
Our colleagues over at Deskmodder spotted the announcement today and asked if Microsoft would extend support for Windows 7 as well.
If you just look at the reason that Microsoft provides, you could certainly come to the conclusion that it would apply to Windows 7 as well.
The change that Microsoft will make a similar announcement to extend the end of support for Windows 7 is very slim, and here are the reasons why that is the case:
- Exchange Server is a server product.
- Microsoft announced previously that Enterprise customers can extend support for Windows 7 by up to three years.
Enterprise customers are covered by the (paid) extension of support.
Now Read: Would you pay Microsoft for extended Windows 7 support?
The case for an extension
Windows 7 is the second used desktop operating system and while Windows 10 surpassed it a while ago, it is still used a lot. Considering that support will run out in about four months, it is clear that lots of systems will run out of support in January if Microsoft won't extend support.
It is highly improbable that all devices will be upgraded to a supported version of Windows or that another operating system will be installed on these devices in the coming four months. If Windows XP's end of support is anything to go by, it is going to take years before Windows 7's usage share becomes irrelevant.
Microsoft could, but probably won't, offer free upgrades to Windows 10 just like it has done in the first year after Windows 10's release. Such an offer would certainly push migrations and reduce the number of devices running Windows 7 after January 14, 2020.
Now You: What do you think is going to happen in January 2020?


It stands to reason that Exchange 2010 is running on Server 2008. Are they extending support for that scenario as well?
It works yes, but it’s not legal.
“When I go to someone to fix their pc and they are running windows 7, it feels clunky”.
That’s probably because the PCs you are called out to repair have issues, such as faulty OS, viruses, lack of ram, and in need of a reinstall, etc. I’m a PC tech also, so I know this to be the case.
Windows 7 is NOT an inherently ‘clunky’ OS. Its both stable and quick – unless bogged down by viruses or clutter etc. Very many businesses around the world still use Windows 7, and wish to avoid at all costs the disaster that is Windows 10 updates, and the harvesting of user data etc that Microsoft impose on W10 users.
Windows 7 and 8.1 are out of support for years by now, except for getting a few so-called ‘security/spyware updates’ nobody really needs. In the end, one couldn’t care less about the sky-is-falling and security hype and happily continue using Windows 7 and 8.1; at least, until the computer dies. Even Windows XP works without issues 24/7 here, so why not Windows 7 and 8.1?
“Microsoft could, but probably won’t, offer free upgrades to Windows 10”
Upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 is still free (if you have the Windows 7 key).
When I go to someone to fix their pc and they are running windows 7, it feels clunky after years with windows 10. One thing I do think will happen after support stops is ms will start making a monthly subscription for windows 10.
@420:
We are opposite on this. I’ve been using Win 10 at work for years, and occasionally use Win 7 machines. Using Win 7 reminds me of how much I dislike Win 10.
Consumer versions of 7 will get support until .10.2025. You’ll see.
Microsoft announced today that it will extend end of support for Exchange Server 2010 to October 13, 2010.
Found a typo: you wrote October 13, 2010 instead of October 13, 2020.
Thank you!
I have no idea of Microsoft related January 2020 events. I do have wishes and concerns.
Wishes, that Windows 7 support be extended and in my dreams I’d set it as a boosted version that could be named Windows 77 (Sunside Strip) “in recognition of the services and to honor the right way the end of a fantastic hero”. The hero being Windows 7, what else? :=)
Concerns, that I personally don’t care about the calendar’s oppression on Win7’s EOL and updates, given I don’t update this OS ever since nearly three years.
To make it short : I don’t think (think) that Windows 7’s support will be “adjusted”.