PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing.

Google Chrome Drops Support for Windows 7, 8.1 in Early 2023

Windows 10 or later will be required if you want new Chrome releases after February.

 & Matthew Humphries Former Senior Editor

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

Our Expert
LOOK INSIDE PC LABS HOW WE TEST
65 EXPERTS
43 YEARS
41,500+ REVIEWS

Google is set to officially end Chrome web browser support for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 in February next year.

On Feb. 7, 2023 Google is planning to release Chrome version 110, which will signify the last version of the browser available to Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users. Any Chrome releases after that will require Windows 10 or later to work, and Google makes it clear that, "older versions of Chrome will continue to work, but there will be no further updates released for users on these operating systems."

Google timed the end of support for these now very old operating systems to coincide with Microsoft's support timetable. Microsoft ends support for Windows 7 ESU and Windows 8.1 extended on Jan. 10 next year. So Chrome users get an extra month to perform their long overdue OS upgrade, or more likely a whole system upgrade.

With the release of Windows 11, Microsoft required a PC with Trusted Platform Module (TPM), which meant even some Windows 10 systems couldn't upgrade. So if you've been holding off on upgrading your Windows 7 system this long, well done! You can now invest in some new hardware and avoid Windows 10 completely.

About Our Expert

Matthew Humphries

Matthew Humphries

Former Senior Editor

My Experience

I started working at PCMag in November 2016, covering all areas of technology and video game news. Before that I spent nearly 15 years working at Geek.com as a writer and editor. I also spent the first six years after leaving university as a professional game designer working with Disney, Games Workshop, 20th Century Fox, and Vivendi.

I hold two degrees: a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a Master's degree in Games Development. My first book, Make Your Own Pixel Art, is available from all good book shops.

My Areas of Expertise

  • PC components and system building
  • Raspberry Pi
  • Software development
  • Storage technology
  • Video games and gaming hardware

Read full bio