Powered by...
Microsoft is "Trying" to end Windows 7 Editions which most people use(Except Professional) will end support in 2015, however for companies, the Windows 7 support will be ended in 2020.01.14.
I think so, this will be bad for some people, and good for some people.

Bad for who?
Who loves Aero, and you think Windows 7 will be like XP(Supported about 11 years)

Good for who?
Who wants new version of Windows and who "LOVES" Metro UI

MS said this when Windows 7 was released...

more info on the link http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/wind ... /lifecycle

World ends 2012 so no worries

Win7's support will officially end in 2020.

Believe me, in year 2020, someone is still using Windows XP. Even there is no Support for XP anymore. Like in Windows 98. Just install KernelEx and everything is fine again. It's funny, Windows 98 is still usable today (if you install KernelEx). I tried to watch a YouTube Full HD Movie in Windows 98 and it worked fine! I think in 2020 someone will try to port XP or 7 to the newest Kernel

Well.. i dont think it's possible but who knows..

And break all the driver models in the process?

I think this is not so bad, in 2020, a lot of people will be using Windows 8 or another system, is cool and stable, will be successful...

Windows 7 support ending in 3 years time? Amazing. Was XP a long-term support release?

Only because people whined and complained about Microsoft killing support for XP.

OK I see. I suppose XP was quite a classic OS, among the best in my opinion.

Some "experts" claim that 7 could become "the next XP" if Windows 8 wouldn't sell good, but I don't think that any of the future Windows would live as long as XP.

XP's success is a blessing on one hand (SUCCESS = MONEH), but also a hell on the other hand because now they can't convince people to upgrade to something newer...

So true. Maybe Windows 8 will change that? Anyhow, I usually get a new OS with a new PC (since there's not much point in running new software on old hardware anyway).

I just wonder what will happen to Windows XP at 2014. Imagine having to activate with a legitimate product key...

that link says end of retail and end of life are STILL TO BE DETERMINED
sure 2020 is a good guess but until MS sets the execution date
everything is still up in the air

Hmm. Could Microsoft make it free, like they did with Microsoft Money? I suppose not, but they did include it with Windows 7 Ultimate, so who knows what they'll do?

We are talking about Microsoft, everyone knows they just want money, they will just kill Windows XP and people will use Windows Vista, 7, 8 or Mac. Microsoft don't sell Windows XP Licenses today...

And they don't sell them for a damn good reason.

They will probably keep the activation servers going for a while, they did this with Office XP.

They don't sell them, but they allow me to activate XP.. And they kind of do sell XP, in a virtual way, with Windows 7 Ultimate.

OH, I just forgot Windows XP Mode on Windows 7, sorry... Windows XP Mode will die someday, people nowdays use Windows XP in old PCs and VMs because of compatibility, some drivers that don't have support to Windows 7 or Vista. In 2014, a kinda of old hardware itens will be dead.

Well, I read that Windows VPC is no longer included with Windows 8, which means no more XP mode after 7 dies (5-7 years from now is my estimate)...

Oh, Windows XP is "long live the king", and Windows 7 is the queen. Sad thing. If Windows 8 didn't work out, then Steve Ballmer and Steven Sinofsky will had to be fired!!!!!!! Then we can wait for either Windows 9 or continue to use Windows 7.

How will we run old games when that happens?

They have DOSBox for really old games, will they be able to make WindowsXPBox without breaking the law?

You use an old machine capable of playing said old games. Running them on real hardware is much better than emulation anyway.