Microsoft extends Windows 7 security updates for election systems through 2022

Microsoft appear today that information technology volition offer extended Windows 7 back up for free for election systems in 2022. The movement will make certain these systems are protected from major security vulnerabilities beyond Windows 7's Jan 14 finish-of-life date as the U.S. enters an election year.

"Every bit nosotros head into the 2022 elections, we know in that location is a relatively small but still pregnant number of certified voting machines in operation running on Windows seven," Microsoft said in a blog post announcing the plan. "We also know that transitioning to machines running newer operating systems in time for the 2022 election may not be possible for a number of reasons, including the lengthy voting machine certification process – a process we are working with government officials to update and make more agile."

Microsoft says the extension, a part of its larger "Defending Commonwealth Programme," volition provide free updates to "federally certified voting systems running Windows 7" through the stop of 2022. This applies to both the U.South. and "other democratic countries, as defined past the EIU Democracy Alphabetize."

Beyond extending security updates, Microsoft plans to provide assistance for ballot systems that rely on Azure. "Nosotros are besides announcing today that, as part of the Defending Democracy Program, we are proactively identifying and engaging election authorities that are Microsoft Azure customers to provide guidance and technical assistance in using the most avant-garde security features in Azure."

As of January 14, 2022, Windows 7 volition no longer receive security updates. Enterprises who are using Windows 7 can pay for extended security updates, just Microsoft is urging all users to upgrade to Windows x. Despite this, a 3rd-party security group appear its intention to provide unofficial micropatches for Windows 7 machines afterwards the end-of-life engagement.

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