According to security firm ESET, more than three million computers in Germany still run Windows XP, Vista, 7 or 8. These systems are vulnerable to attacks because they no longer receive security updates. Support for Windows 8.1 will also expire in a year – and there are still 1.3 million users here.
One year after the end of official support for Windows 7, the operating system is still used on many computers. There are currently 2.7 million systems in Germany, according to software security company ESET. Additionally, 450,000 computers running Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 8 will no longer be supported. So there are more than three million legacy systems in total.
Safety and liability risk
The company’s PR spokesman Thorsten Urbanski sees a major security issue with the use of outdated operating systems. Since Microsoft does not provide regular security updates for older versions of Windows, attacks are possible due to security gaps found since support expiration. The company warned last year that the supported operating system should always be used in the business environment, So as not to take any liability risk.
Unfortunately, ESET did not provide any information on how many affected systems are using Microsoft’s tariff extension. Companies and government agencies can still purchase security updates for Windows 7 so that computers can be kept up to date. However, in the long run, a change to the more modern operating system will also be necessary here.
| Operating system | User | Support |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Vista / XP / 8 | 0.45 million | No. |
| Windows 7 | 2.7 million | No. |
| Windows 8.1 | 1.3 million | Until 01/10/2023 |
| Windows 10 | 44 million | And |
| Windows 11 | Not specified | And |
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After all, most computers run with an updated operating system. According to ESET, there are currently 44 million users with Windows 10 in Germany, which is still supported, however, there is no information about the new Windows 11 operating system. In addition, the number of computers with outdated Windows is said to have dropped by about two million last year. However, Windows 8.1 may soon become problematic because support for this operating system will also expire next year. Windows 8.1 is still used by 1.3 million computers.
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Edward Langley is a contributor to Nintendo-power.com, covering a wide range of topics including news, business, technology, entertainment, lifestyle and current affairs. He focuses on delivering clear, balanced and accessible reporting that helps readers stay informed about important developments and emerging trends. With an emphasis on accuracy, relevance and useful insights, Edward aims to provide engaging stories and practical information that matter to audiences in the UK and beyond.