Microsoft is attempting to urge Windows users to upgrade to the most recent version of the OS, which might result in millions of Windows customers losing access to their online cloud storage within weeks.
OneDrive customers will have only a few weeks to switch to a newer version of the operating system before it stops syncing with Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 on March 1, 2022. Users who do not upgrade will risk losing access to their information.
There are still millions of people using Windows 7 and 8, despite the fact that the operating systems were first released nearly a decade ago.
No matter what version of Windows you’re running, you’ll still be able to access files via the OneDrive app, but they won’t be automatically uploaded to the cloud. A newer version of Windows should be installed before March 2015 to avoid issues with OneDrive. Microsoft said that users may still back up their files using the OneDrive web app even if their computers aren’t able to run Windows 10 or Windows 11.
On January 1st, OneDrive for Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 will no longer get updates or sync. This shift was made by Microsoft in order to focus resources on new technologies and operating systems in order to give users the most up-to-date and secure experience.
According to Microsoft, the shutdown will not have the same impact on business customers because, beginning January 1, 2022, support for the OneDrive desktop application for business will be linked with the Windows support lifecycle.
However, Windows 8 hit “end of support” on January 12, 2016, which means it will no longer receive critical security upgrades that keep devices safe from the latest cyber threats. Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 are still supported until January 10, 2023, but Windows 8 is no longer supported.
In order to “avoid disruption,” Microsoft recommends that you upgrade your operating system to either Windows 10 or Windows 11. However, the company notes that many devices now running Windows 7 or 8 may not meet the hardware system requirements for the most recent software.
