After releasing Microsoft Edge version 108 on the Stable channel earlier this week, Microsoft announced today that Microsoft Edge 109 will be the last version to support Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1. Microsoft’s Webview2 Runtime version 109 will also be the last version to support these operating systems.

The decision to drop support for these older platforms is tied to Microsoft no longer releasing Windows 7 Extended Security Update (ESU) after January 10th, 2023. Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 will also reach end of support on this same date. For IT pros, Microsoft Edge 109 will also be the last supported version for Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 2012 R2.

“While Microsoft Edge and Webview2 Runtime versions 109 and earlier will continue to work on these operating systems, those versions will not receive new features, future security updates, or bug fixes,” the Edge team explained today. “We acknowledge that this may not be easy for some developers to do, however ending support for these operating systems will help keep end users safe from potential security threats and risks as both operating systems go out of support on January 10^th, 2023,” the team added.

If you’re still running Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, Microsoft recommends updating to Windows 10 to keep your PC secure. Google Chrome 109 will also end support for Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1 in early 2023, and Google is also recommending that affected users upgrade to a newer version of Windows. If Mozilla has yet to detail its plans regarding Firefox support on older versions of Windows, a Mozilla engineer recently suggested in a forum post (via Ghacks) that the organization may extend support until summer 2023.

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