Microsoft leaves Windows 7 behind - but hackers may not

It was launched more than a decade ago, but Windows 7 has finally been rendered obsolete after Windows stopped issuing security updates, new software and tech support for it this week.

For users, that means no more routine updates to the system - but unfortunately, new malware will still be able to get through.

Millions of PCs are still running Windows 7, with StatCounter suggesting one in four Windows users could still be on this OS. Microsoft has already said that if hackers find a flaw going forward, the company is not going to fix it, so these computers will consequently be left vulnerable to cyber attacks.

Rik Ferguson, vice-president of security research at Trend Micro, told BBC News: "As exploits for those flaws become known and widespread, your chances of being successfully attacked grow very rapidly."

The National Cyber Security Centre has already warned Windows 7 users not to do internet banking or send emails on this OS because of the lack of protection.

Businesses using the system will be able to pay for extended security updates, but this could prove costly. In many cases, users may need to buy new PCs with a more modern OS, as security experts are recommending.

Meanwhile, Microsoft is trying to persuade its Windows 7 customers to upgrade to new machines with Windows 10.