This support statement is provided by the Product Management Team.
Recent updates to this article
| December 27, 2021 |
Updated the Host IPS extended support version. |
| December 6, 2021 |
Updated the SHA-256 code signing footnote in the "McAfee Enterprise support policy for McAfee Enterprise products" section. |
| December 2, 2021 |
Added further clarification around Windows Server 2008 support and ENS/VSE. Introduced more concise language for multiple FAQ questions. |
| August 31, 2021 |
Updated that VSE doesn’t support Windows Server 2008. VSE only supports Windows Server 2008 R2. Updated that VSE 8.8 Patch 16 is needed to receive support. |
| July 28, 2021 |
Rebranded for McAfee Enterprise |
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Microsoft has announced that the End of Extended Support for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 is January 14, 2020. For details, see:
McAfee Enterprise support policy for McAfee Enterprise products on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008/2008 R2, beyond January 14, 2020
Standard Support is provided until December 31, 2021. Extended support options are available for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 only until December 31, 2023.
McAfee Enterprise expects to support the following products on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 until December 31, 2021:
- McAfee Active Response (MAR)
- McAfee Agent (MA)
- McAfee Application and Change Control (MACC)
- McAfee Endpoint Security (ENS)3
- McAfee Data Loss Prevention Endpoint (DLP Endpoint)1
- McAfee Drive Encryption (DE)1
- McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator (ePO)
- McAfee File and Removable Media Protection (FRP)1
- McAfee Host Intrusion Prevention (Host IPS)
- McAfee Management of Native Encryption (MNE)1
- McAfee MVISION Endpoint Detection and Response (MVISION EDR)
- McAfee VirusScan Enterprise (VSE)2, 3
1 DE, DLP Endpoint, FRP, and MNE are supported on Windows 7 only. DE, DLP Endpoint, FRP, and MNE aren’t supported on Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 as part of this plan.
2 VirusScan Command Line Scanner (VSCL) follows the same Windows 7 and Server 2008 support timeline as VSE.
3 Due to SHA-256 code signing requirements that Microsoft introduced, the listed product can't support Windows Server 2008.
McAfee Enterprise will continue to provide support only as long as it’s technically and commercially reasonable for McAfee Enterprise and there’s no external dependency.
Example: If McAfee Enterprise determines that a McAfee Enterprise product requires Microsoft to provide a fix, and Microsoft can't provide the fix. In this situation, McAfee Enterprise can't support the product any longer.
Future releases of McAfee Enterprise products that are released after January 14, 2020, might not support Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008/2008 R2.
How to purchase extended support after December 31, 2021:
Beginning in January 2022, customers who want to use the above products on Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 must purchase extended support to continue receiving Technical Support and content updates for these products. Contact your McAfee Enterprise account manager for more details about this option.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is being announced?
Microsoft announced the End of Life (EOL) for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008/2008 R2. McAfee Enterprise plans to support existing McAfee Enterprise products on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 after the EOL date.
Why is McAfee Enterprise announcing this plan?
McAfee Enterprise wants to provide transparency into its support for existing McAfee Enterprise products on the operating systems below through 2023:
- Windows 7
- Windows Server 2008
- Windows Server 2008 R2
The communication is in light of Microsoft's announced EOL in January 2020.
What is the McAfee Enterprise timeline for supporting McAfee Enterprise products on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008/2008 R2?
McAfee Enterprise will provide the current level of support for the above McAfee Enterprise products until December 31, 2021. Extended support is available on select platforms for select products until December 31, 2023. To determine support availability, see the supported platforms articles below and the McAfee Enterprise support timeline in this article.
For example, McAfee Enterprise supports ENS on Windows Server 2008 R2, but can't support ENS on Windows Server 2008.
What products are included as part of this announcement?
The products below are included as part of this announcement:
- DE1
- DLP Endpoint1
- ENS
- ePO
- FRP1
- Host IPS
- MA
- MACC
- MAR
- MNE1
- MVISION EDR
- VSE
- Included server variations are: ENS-Server, MACC-Server, Host IPS-Server, and VSE-Server.
NOTE: Support for all other products is handled separately from this announcement.
1 DE, DLP Endpoint, FRP, and MNE are supported on Windows 7 only. DE, DLP Endpoint, FRP, and MNE aren’t supported on Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 as part of this plan.
What version of the included McAfee Enterprise products do I need deployed to receive support?
The following versions are supported:
| Product |
Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2
Extended Support Version |
| DE |
7.2.91 |
| DLP Endpoint |
11.4.11 |
| ENS |
10.7.02 |
| ePO |
5.10 |
| FRP |
5.2.01 |
| Host IPS |
8.0 Patch 16 |
| MA |
5.6.6 |
| MACC |
8.3.x |
| MAR |
2.4.3 |
| MNE |
5.0.21 |
| MVISION EDR |
3.2 |
| VSE |
8.8 Patch 163 |
1 This support applies to Windows 7 only. Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 support are handled separately for DLP and encryption.
2 ENS doesn't support Windows Server 2008.
3 VSE doesn't support Windows Server 2008.
What SKUs are impacted?
This platform support EOL doesn't impact any entitlements directly. Contact your McAfee Enterprise account manager to understand McAfee Enterprise's current offerings.
What happens to my existing license?
All existing licenses are unaffected by this announcement. Extended support options are provided in addition to existing licenses at an additional charge.
Can I still receive Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 support on products not included in the announcement?
Other products currently supported on these operating systems are subject to the standard McAfee Enterprise EOL policy and might reach their EOL separately of the timelines listed in this announcement.
How will support be handled?
McAfee Enterprise will support each of the above products in full until December 31, 2021. McAfee Enterprise will provide extended support until December 31, 2023 as noted. Only product versions that are officially designated by McAfee Enterprise as 'Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 extended support versions' are eligible to receive extended support on eligible operating systems from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023.
The Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 extended support versions will continue to receive security fixes, content updates, and case-by-case bug fixes as long as it is technically and commercially viable for McAfee Enterprise. Also, this support will continue as long as there is no external dependency. For example, if a McAfee Enterprise product requires Microsoft to provide a fix and Microsoft can't provide the fix, then McAfee Enterprise can't support the product on that operating system any longer.
How does this announcement align with Microsoft's EOL announcements?
See the table below:
| Operating System |
Microsoft End of Support |
McAfee Enterprise Support Timeline |
| Windows 7 |
January 14, 2020
Paid support for Enterprise and Pro until January 2023) |
Existing support until December 31, 2021
Extended support available for eligible products until at least December 31, 2023 |
| Windows Server 2008 |
January 14, 2020 |
Existing support until December 31, 2021 |
| Windows Server 2008 R2 |
January 14, 2020 |
Existing support until December 31, 2021
Extended support available for eligible products until at least December 31, 2023 |
What are the key milestone dates?
The key dates are as follows:
- January 14, 2020: Microsoft is no longer supporting Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008/2008 R2
- December 31, 2021: End of existing support for McAfee Enterprise products on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008/2008 R2
- December 31, 2023: End of Extended Support for McAfee Enterprise products on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2
Is it possible to get extended support beyond the end of full support?
Yes, extended support options are available through at least 2023, except for where otherwise noted in this article.
How do I obtain extended support?
To obtain extended support, work with your McAfee Enterprise account manager.
What level of support is provided for legacy Windows platforms under extended support?
- Standard Support Period: McAfee Enterprise provides software updates and bug fixes, as long as is technically and commercially reasonable.
- After Standard Support Ends: McAfee Enterprise limits legacy software support to address only critical issues (Severity 1, Priority 1).
Who do I contact if I have more questions?
Contact your McAfee Enterprise account manager if you have further questions.
How will this support be priced?
There is no change in pricing for your existing licenses. There will also be no added extended support charge until December 31, 2021. Contact your McAfee Enterprise account manager about the pricing of extended support options for support after December 31, 2021.
What options do I have in 2024 and beyond?
McAfee Enterprise doesn't expect to support Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 in 2024 and beyond. McAfee Enterprise suggests migrating to Windows 10 or Windows Server 2016/2019 to continue receiving the latest security features and capabilities in the future.
Why is McAfee Enterprise no longer providing support for existing McAfee Enterprise products on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 in 2024 and beyond?
McAfee Enterprise is only able to provide support as long as it is technically and commercially feasible for McAfee Enterprise and there is no external dependency. For example, if a McAfee Enterprise product requires Microsoft to provide a fix and Microsoft can't provide the fix, then McAfee Enterprise can't support the product on that operating system any longer.
