Support for Windows 7/Server 2008/2008 R2 after January 2020

February 20, 2020	Updated Data Loss Prevention Endpoint versions. Shortened the title.
February 11, 2020	Added Endpoint Security 10.7.x.
November 22, 2019	Added a note that VirusScan Command Line Scanner (VSCL) will follow the same Windows 7 and Server 2008/2008 R2 support timeline as VirusScan Enterprise.
November 6, 2019	Updated to include extended support details.
October 31, 2019	Internal only update.

 

• Windows 7: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsforbusiness/end-of-windows-7-support
• Windows Server 2008/2008 R2: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/cloud-platform/windows-server-2008

McAfee support policy for McAfee products on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008/2008 R2, beyond January 14, 2020
McAfee expects to provide the current level of support across existing McAfee products on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 until December 31, 2021. Extended support options are available until December 31, 2023.

McAfee 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)
• 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

¹ DE, DLP Endpoint, FRP, and MNE are supported on Windows 7 only. DE, DLP Endpoint, FRP, and MNE are not supported on Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 as part of this plan.
² VirusScan Command Line Scanner (VSCL) will follow the same Windows 7 and Server 2008/2008 R2 support timeline as VSE.

McAfee will continue to provide support only as long as it is technically and commercially reasonable for McAfee and there is no external dependency. For example, if McAfee determines that a McAfee product requires Microsoft to provide a fix and Microsoft does not provide the fix, then McAfee can't support the product any longer.

Future releases of McAfee 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, all customers must purchase an extended support SKU to continue receiving support on the above products. Contact your McAfee account manager for more details about this option.

McAfee reserves the right to change the terms of its support policy in this announcement at any time. McAfee endeavors to provide notice of any material changes within a reasonable period, before such changes occur.



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 plans to support existing McAfee products on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 after the EOL date.

Why is McAfee announcing this plan?
McAfee wants to provide transparency into its support for existing McAfee products on the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 operating systems through 2023 in light of Microsoft's announced EOL in January 2020.

What is the McAfee timeline for supporting McAfee products on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008/2008 R2?
McAfee will provide the current level of support for existing McAfee products on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 until December 31, 2021. Extended support is available on select products until December 31, 2023.

What products are included as part of this announcement?
DE¹, DLP Endpoint¹, ENS, ePO, FRP¹, Host IPS, MA, MACC, MAR, MNE¹, MVISION EDR, and VSE are included as part of this announcement. Included server variations are: ENS-Server, MACC-Server, Host IPS-Server, and VSE-Server. Support for all other products is handled separately from this announcement.

¹ DE, DLP Endpoint, FRP, and MNE will be supported on Windows 7 only. DE, DLP Endpoint, FRP, and MNE are not supported on Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 as part of this plan.

What SKUs are impacted?
No SKUs are affected as part of this announcement. All SKUs that are currently sold will continue to be sold unless your McAfee account manager tells you otherwise.

What happens to my existing license?
All existing licenses are unaffected by this announcement. All extended support options are provided on top of existing licenses.

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 EOL policy and might reach their EOL separately of the timelines listed in this announcement.

How will support be handled?
McAfee will support each of the above products in full until December 31, 2021. McAfee will provide extended support until December 31, 2023. Only product versions that are officially designated by McAfee as 'Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 extended support versions' are eligible to receive extended support on these operating systems from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023. More details will be provided on the specific Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 extended support versions later in 2020.

The Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008/2008 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. Also, this support will continue as long as there is no external dependency. For example, if a McAfee product requires Microsoft to provide a fix and Microsoft does not provide the fix, then McAfee 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 Support Timeline
Windows 7	January 14, 2020 (paid support for Enterprise and Pro until January 2023)	Existing support until December 31, 2021 Extended Support until at least December 31, 2023
Windows Server 2008/2008 R2	January 14, 2020	Existing support until December 31, 2021 Extended Support 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 products on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008/2008 R2
• December 31, 2023: End of Extended Support for McAfee products on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008/2008 R2

Is it possible to get extended support beyond the end of full support?
Yes, extended support options are available through at least 2023.

How do I obtain extended support?
To obtain extended support, work with your McAfee account manager.

Who do I contact if I have more questions?
Contact your McAfee account manager if you have more 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 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 does not expect to support Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 in 2024 and beyond. McAfee 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 no longer providing support for existing McAfee products on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 in 2024 and beyond?
McAfee is only able to provide support as long as it is technically and commercially viable for McAfee and there is no external dependency. For example, if a McAfee product requires Microsoft to provide a fix and Microsoft does not provide the fix, then McAfee can't support the product on that operating system any longer.

Since Microsoft is no longer supporting Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 after January 14, 2020, it becomes increasingly harder to maintain support long term without fixes and support from Microsoft.