We’ll it depends… First what does mainstream support mean? It’s an important distinction and one that is overlooked in a lot of reports, Windows releases have both mainstream support and extended support. Mainstream support, which ended Jan. 13th 2015 for Windows 7, consisted of new features, bug fixes and security updates installed automatically on your PC through Windows Update. Extended support, which will end on Jan. 14th 2020 consists of just the security updates, which are also installed automatically.

While you won’t see any new features or bug fixes for Windows 7, the security updates that protect you from viruses, hackers and other bad people will continue for another 5 years. So if Windows 7 is working for you and Windows 8 doesn’t really excite you then stay with Windows 7 and take a serious look at Windows 10 when it comes out later this year.