Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 have reached their end of life and will no longer receive security updates, according to a January announcement from Microsoft. But, after years of use, people don't just abandon an operating system, and many users aren't in a rush to change. The good news is that Bitdefender will keep supporting its protection program for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 until 2024.

What exactly transpires if Microsoft flips the switch? A user really won't notice any difference, other than the absence of notifications for new updates, even if the news that a product has reached end of life seems quite dramatic.

Operating systems are extremely intricate pieces of software made up of innumerable smaller components. All of the software requires upkeep, and maintenance can only take place if developers are actively engaged in the project. Once a piece of software is no longer being maintained, issues begin to arise.

Hackers are aware that customers and businesses will take some time to switch to a new operating system. Upgrading is not an option if the hardware is too old. Because updating would be too expensive or could interfere with everyday operations, some businesses continue to utilize the same technology and software for decades.

By extending support for its security solutions for an additional year, Bitdefender has chosen to assist users who continue to use Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 after Microsoft has discontinued support for those operating systems. Users will be able to defend their PCs from infection, but we strongly suggest that everyone update to a supported version of Windows as soon as possible.

While Bitdefender's antimalware support can aid in defending against online threats, it should be noted that it is not a replacement for the security updates offered by Microsoft. Antimalware software may be able to stop vulnerabilities from being exploited, but it cannot resolve the underlying issue.

You can never go wrong with Bitdefender Total Security if you use Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. Its security program was created to safeguard computers from all forms of malware, including ransomware, zero-day exploits, rootkits, and spyware.