So you want to keep running Windows 7? Good luck with that, small businesses

▤ Summary

After Jan. 14, 2020, Microsoft will no longer provide free security updates and bug fixes for the venerable operating system to the general public. Businesses that arent big enough for a volume licensing contract, however, are not so lucky: Microsoft says you small fry have to purchase Windows 7 ESUs through one of its partners in the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program. My starting point was the same one you should use if youre interested in the ESU option, the comprehensive, official Microsoft FAQ about Extended Security Updates for Windows 7. All the recommended firms were large consultancies with broad-based skillsets, targeting companies that will pay them big bucks to do medium- and large-scale deployment and development tasks. Instead, this happened Another reseller that I contacted confirmed that scenario exactly, replying to my request with this note: Thats an awful lot of hoops to jump through to buy a single product key thats good for a year and doesnt require any deployment or support.

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