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

[steven36]

By Ed Bott for The Ed Bott Report

 

 

The end of Windows 7 support is weeks away. Microsoft says small businesses can pay for extended security updates just like their enterprise cousins. But my experience says they don't really want your money.

Support for Windows 7 ends in just a few weeks. After Jan. 14, 2020, Microsoft will no longer provide free security updates and bug fixes for the venerable operating system to the general public.

 

Those updates will be available, however, to Microsoft customers who are willing to pay for the privilege. The Windows 7 Extended Security Update (ESU) program runs for an additional three years, through January 2023, and it's been officially available since Dec. 2, 2019.

 

When Microsoft first announced the Windows 7 ESU program, in September 2018, the company said these updates would be available to its most valuable customers: Giant corporations and government agencies with volume licensing subscriptions and medium-sized businesses and educational institutions with Windows 10 Enterprise or Education subscriptions.

 

Then, in October 2019, Microsoft extended the program to businesses of all sizes. If you run a small business (even a sole proprietorship) and you want to keep using Windows 7, that should be good news. But as I learned this week, Microsoft doesn't seem particularly interested in taking your money if your business is too small.

 

Anyone who administers Windows PCs in a large organization with an active volume licensing contract has it easy. They can deploy ESU to Windows 7 devices by downloading a Multiple Activation Key (MAK) from the Volume Licensing Service Center and then installing a few servicing stack updates and using a command-line tool to register the new key.

 

Businesses that aren't 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. Sounds easy, right?

 

It's not.

 

 

For this article, I went in search of Windows 7 ESUs, figuring it would be a simple task, and I could share the step-by-step procedure here. I discovered that unless you already have a relationship with a friendly CSP, the process is far more difficult than it should be.

 

My starting point was the same one you should use if you're interested in the ESU option, the comprehensive, official Microsoft FAQ about Extended Security Updates for Windows 7. There, you'll find this Q&A:

Who should I contact for more information about pricing and ordering for Windows 7 ESU?

 

VL customers: Please contact your Account Team CE for pricing and ordering information that is tailored to specific customer scenarios.

 

Customers who are interested in purchasing Windows 7 ESU in CSP should reach out to a CSP partner. You can find a qualified partner at this site.

That link takes you to the Microsoft Solution Providers database. I filled in the three blanks, specifying my business location (US) and size (one to nine employees). But the final field, which asks for "products, services, skills, industries, or organizations," is a stumper. I settled on "Cloud Solution Provider," which returned eight results.

 

After reviewing the capsule description for each provider, I wasn't encouraged. 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. None of them seemed like the type of firm that would be interested in a onesy-twosy license deal with a very small business.

 

I chose the maximum of three providers, entered a description of what I was looking for, provided contact information, and clicked the Send button.

 

Within 15 minutes, I had a response. Unfortunately, it wasn't exactly what I was hoping. The No. 1 provider on my list, the one Microsoft had assured me, was the best match for my request, was "unavailable."

 

Twelve hours later, I got another message, apologizing that my second-best match was also "unavailable."

 

I'm still waiting to hear back from the third and final match. Meanwhile, I contacted the two companies with whom I already have an established reseller relationship and asked if they could help. One said, "Sorry, no." The other seemed stumped but passed the request along to someone who might have more detailed product knowledge. A few hours later, I got this reply:

Unfortunately, you would need to reach out to a reseller to purchase this license. We're not able to sell to an end user directly.

I suppose I could keep trying, but I'm not feeling optimistic; instead, I'm disappointed that Microsoft has chosen to make this option so difficult. I've worked with Microsoft's cloud partners before, and it's not a simple point-click-pay-activate process. Instead, you have to set up an Azure Active Directory tenant, create a reseller relationship with a partner to give them access to your Azure AD portal, and then have them fill your order.

 

Another reseller that I contacted confirmed that scenario exactly, replying to my request with this note:

Hello,

We received your message regarding Windows 7.

We are Cloud Solution Provider and only provide licenses for customers who have a commercial account.

If you are interested in becoming a commercial customer of Microsoft please let us know. 

That's an awful lot of hoops to jump through to buy a single product key that's good for a year and doesn't require any deployment or support. What's especially galling is that Microsoft long ago allowed customers to skip all those partner hoops and buy Office 365, Microsoft 365, and other cloud-based services directly from the Office 365 portal.

 

It's almost like Microsoft wants people to become discouraged and give up.

 

It doesn't have to be this way. Microsoft has been serving pop-up notifications about the Windows 7 end-of-support deadline for several months now. After support officially expires on Jan. 14, 2020, Microsoft is going to start delivering a full-screen warning to PCs that are still running Windows 7.

 

You would think that any of these pop-ups would be an ideal opportunity to help diehard Windows 7 fans access those paid updates. Just add one more option: "Pay for extended support." Give people the usual dire warnings about how it's a dead-end and Windows 10 is more secure. Make them click through an ironclad legal waiver. Hell, require that they upload a video of themselves holding today's newspaper to prove they're serious. But if they want those updates, Microsoft, take their money.

 

I'll file a follow-up report after I've heard back from the resellers I queried earlier. In the meantime, if you're the owner of a Cloud Solution Provider that focuses on small businesses and you're willing to help out Windows 7 diehards who are looking for ESU licenses, hit the contact form and send me a message.

 

 

Source

[frankl1n]

31 minutes ago, steven36 said:

It doesn't have to be this way. Microsoft has been serving pop-up notifications about the Windows 7 end-of-support deadline for several months now. After support officially expires on Jan. 14, 2020, Microsoft is going to start delivering a full-screen warning to PCs that are still running Windows 7.

never got one popup about anything at anytime ever, nor will I in the future...there are ways to go forward with Win7 with out any of MS bullshit! Easy ways!!

32 minutes ago, steven36 said:

Businesses that aren't 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. Sounds easy, right?

 

lmfao

[steven36]

1 hour ago, frankl1n said:

never got one popup about anything at anytime ever, nor will I in the future...there are ways to go forward with Win7 with out any of MS bullshit! Easy ways!!

Me nether because I dont use Windows 7 i have Ubuntu  Linux and Windows  8.1 that get security updates tell 2023 . But from  the pictures i seen from Windows 7 popup if you get one you just check dont show me this again  and its gone so  it's not a big deal.

 

There is no going forward on Windows 7 its been stuck in the past for years only getting security updates  just like Windows  8.1 is . Only Microsoft OS  that  move forward since 2015 is Windows 10 and I  dont like the way the wind is blowing . When windows 8.1 updates run out it will be a end of  and era . you just buying time like people on  XP did tell 3rd party software vendors stops supporting Windows 7. Father Time will catch up with you like it does with everything  you get old and you die same  with PCs  and software.

 

 

If Google follows the same path they did with XP and Vista It will be January 2022 alongside with Windows 8/8.1. Windows XP ended support itself on 2014 and Chrome ended support in 2016 alongside with Vista. They stop updating Chrome a year before Vista ran out of updates because it had a  low marketshare  also the drop 32 bit Linux as well because most people use x64 Linux.

[Marcus Thunder]

38 minutes ago, steven36 said:

But from  the pictures i seen from Windows 7 popup if you get one you just check dont show me this again  and its gone so  it's not a big deal.

That is why Microsoft may figure out a way to make a legal screenlocker later on and a scareware pop up too.

44 minutes ago, steven36 said:

Father Time will catch up with you like it does with everything  you get old and you die same  with PCs  and software.

I thought scientists will be done with immortality in 10 or 20 years. Whats the benefit of all these super hero movies... to get ready for human two point oh... I am getting rid of the December Blues...

[steven36]

13 minutes ago, Marcus Thunder said:

That is why Microsoft may figure out a way to make a legal screenlocker later on and a scareware pop up too.

Nothing shocks   me  because  i maintained Windows 7 and 8.1 back when Windows 10 1st came out and that was back when they just had incremental updates were you just didn't install 2 updates  and never got Windows 10  and still millions of noobs said they was  being upgraded  ,  They ever sent  me popups like that id just block them with a firewall like i did back when i used windows 10 home version.

[funkyy]

Win7 rocks!!!

                                                                      

                                                                 

                                                            

                                                        

                                                    

                                                

                                             

[steven36]

31 minutes ago, funkyy said:

Win7 rocks!!!

Are you not  you same guy that use to use Windows XP  and ended  up migrating  to Windows  7 to get 3rd party software updates ? After windows 3rd party software devs drop support for Windows 7 they will no were to go but  Chrome OS , Linux , Mac OS and Windows 10 . Mac OS is too expensive really.

 

Back in 2006 many people claimed  they was going  to keep using Windows 98 too

https://www.geek.com/news/support-ends-for-windows-98-me-561062/

 

Today it has 0.00% marketshare.

[funkyy]

1 minute ago, steven36 said:

Are you not  you same guy that use to use Windows XP  and ended  up migrating  to Windows  7 to get 3rd party software updates ? After windows 3rd party software devs drop support for Windows 7 they will no were to go but  Chrome OS , Linux , Mac OS and Windows 10 . Mac OS is too expensive really.

steven36..yes I used Win XP (x86) for years and was happy with it even though I, like many others, was berated by the "we know better" brigade. I thought about changing to Win 7 for quite a while and eventually changed to it when I upgraded my hardware to be better suited to Win 7 (x64). The deciding factor for me wasn't that all my third party programs were not available for Win XP (most of them were), it was just my own decision taken in my own time. I'm not a sheep that needs to be led and I  don't ridicule or criticize people who are still on Win Xp. If I drove a BMW I wouldn't criticize folk who drove a Volkswagon either.

I have said many times here on Nsane that I will one day move to Win 10, it is a technically good system, but not until the geniuses at Microsoft manage to release patch Tuesdays that don't cause collateral damage...oh, and hopefully they reduce the "telemetary" aspect.

Relax steven36, we don't all like the same food either!!

Talking about taking my time...I met my wife in 1973....and married her in 1994....now you have to admit that's funny!!!!!

[steven36]

1 minute ago, funkyy said:

steven36..yes I used Win XP (x86) for years and was happy with it even though I, like many others, was berated by the "we know better" brigade. I thought about changing to Win 7 for quite a while and eventually changed to it when I upgraded my hardware to be better suited to Win 7 (x64). The deciding factor for me wasn't that all my third party programs were not available for Win XP (most of them were), it was just my own decision taken in my own time. I'm not a sheep that needs to be led and I  don't ridicule or criticize people who are still on Win Xp. If I drove a BMW I wouldn't criticize folk who drove a Volkswagon either.

I have said many times here on Nsane that I will one day move to Win 10, it is a technically good system, but not until the geniuses at Microsoft manage to release patch Tuesdays that don't cause collateral damage...oh, and hopefully they reduce the "telemetary" aspect.

Relax steven36, we don't all like the same food either!!

Talking about taking my time...I met my wife in 1973....and married her in 1994....now you have to admit that's funny!!!!!

I used XP  from 2001  tell around 2011 , i never liked Windows 7  really i only used it for 2 years on a  POS  computer . I bought a PC in 2013 with windows 8 and upgraded it Windows 8.1 and i bought A PC in 2015  and upgraded to Windows 10 and ended up puting Windows 8.1 and Linux  back on it now,  my Windows 8 PC is just Linux  now. But ether one can run Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 legit.

[funkyy]

I think if I had taken an interest in computers at a younger age I'd have been more knowledgeable and progressive. The problem was that I hated them when they first appeared. I worked in the Civil Service back in the mid 70's and they introduced computers to our "clerical" system...and it gave us a hard time and more work initially as the staff got used to the system. I think my pathological hatred of computers was born then lol.

In a later job, selling home electrical goods,  the bosses introduced computers for us to sell...aaarrrgh thought Funkyy, I'm not touching these things. So if a customer asked about buying/renting one I passed the customer to one of my colleagues..even though I was passing the sale and commission to them...that's how much disinterest I had of computers and SEGA and damned Super Mario...etc.

Just like the world spins from darkness to light so did my thought process...around 2000 I got a computer simply to write and print English lessons for my students....and the rest is history. Now if my house was on fire I'd dive in to save my computer first!!

[dhjohns]

Any business has had years to migrate to Windows 10.  Most places I go to use Windows 10 already.  End of service is not a surprise, and any business with any kind of brains should have upgraded already.  Not doing so by now is just either sheer laziness or ineptitude.

[funkyy]

3 minutes ago, dhjohns said:

Any business has had years to migrate to Windows 10.  Most places I go to use Windows 10 already.  End of service is not a surprise, and any business with any kind of brains should have upgraded already.  Not doing so by now is just either sheer laziness or ineptitude.

Well, I'm not a business so I don't feel any pressure or desire to change right now. Next time my machine implodes I'll maybe take the next step in evolution!!

[dhjohns]

3 minutes ago, funkyy said:

Well, I'm not a business so I don't feel any pressure or desire to change right now. Next time my machine implodes I'll maybe take the next step in evolution!!

My wife feels the same way, but if a new version of Windows were to be released immediately after I click the Submit Reply button, I would be using it as my main drive!

[funkyy]

steven36 and dhjohns, I think we have set a good example of how to have a conversation here on Nsane with different points of view being exchanged and no-one being offended...except perhaps Super Mario!!!

[steven36]

15 minutes ago, funkyy said:

Well, I'm not a business so I don't feel any pressure or desire to change right now. Next time my machine implodes I'll maybe take the next step in evolution!!

That's right  a home user dont have to do . If they want too  they can  go to old apps.com  and use XP  ,Windows 98  or not use Windows at all. Microsoft porting all there apps to mobile and Linux they no longer care about consumers . Business have consumers beta testing on Windows 10 by the time they upgrade it pretty stable

 

How Microsoft Became Uncool And Lost Touch With Consumers

https://www.brucebnews.com/2018/04/how-microsoft-became-uncool-and-lost-touch-with-consumers/

 

Windows use to be cool  but not anymore the last time it sold good to consumers was when Windows 7 was new,  .