Google says that starting with February 8, Chrome users will have to use version 54 or 55 (current) if they want to access their Gmail accounts.
Users on other Chrome versions, 53 and previous, will see a warning at the top of their browser, and Google doesn't guarantee that some Gmail features will work as advertised.
"Gmail users that are still on Windows XP and Windows Vista are the most likely to be affected, because v49 was the last released version which supported those operating systems," Google explained in an announcement published yesterday.
This puts XP and Vista users in an unpleasant situation, as the only browser still supported on their operating systems now remains Firefox (ESR 45).
XP and Vista users are running out of options
Mozilla, too, plans to stop providing support for XP and Vista users in September 2017, at which time there will be no more officially supported browsers that XP and Vista users can choose from.
This will not stop XP and Vista users from using deprecated browsers, but this will also expose them to numerous security threats.
Microsoft ended official support for Windows XP on April 8, 2014, and is scheduled to do the same for Windows Vista on April 10, 2012. Vista extended paid support will end on April 11, 2017.
Google says that Gmail users on XP and Vista could reliably use the stripped-down "HTML version" of Gmail to continue reading and sending their emails.
The company also says that by December 2017, most XP and Vista users could be redirected automatically to the HTML version, as Gmail expands with new features.
Comments
Angoid - 1 year ago
Understandable with regard to XP, but Vista?? Granted it was an unpopular version of Windows, but as long as you have Service Pack 2 it is still supported by Microsoft.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/13858
So why is Google de-supporting a still-supported platform?
Gorbulan - 1 year ago
Google is ending support for a non-supported platform. According to Microsoft, they are ending extended support for Vista on April 11th, 2017. They have already ended maintstream support. Vista, also, does not have a large install base anymore, it never really got off the ground. Google is ending support for something that is not worth supporting.
sdfox 7 - 1 year ago
Just use another browser or spoof the user agent.
britechguy - 1 year ago
I will never understand why some people think that backward compatibility with Windows versions that have long ago ceased having mainstream Microsoft support and that are about to go off extended support should be the norm.
Choices have consequences, and those who choose to cling to XP and Vista are going to have to deal with those. It's perfectly reasonable at this late date to stop trying to make "next generation" software continue to work with ancestral operating systems.
Let's not even get into the fact that many websites are now sensitive to what browser is being used and are refusing entrance to those using browsers that have been security "Swiss cheese" for some time now.
Herb987 - 1 year ago
Please see my post below - I created a response instead of clicking the reply button. Sorry.
HolyCowz - 1 year ago
@Britechguy I think many have no choice as they have no money to get a new system or os. So they have to make do. I know many situations with elderly and other unfortunate people who simply cannot afford them self's a new computer or os.
I didn't know about sites that stop you for an insecure browser interesting thanks for the info Britechguy is that your you tube account under the same name?
DodoIso - 1 year ago
"ancestral operating systems" is just a marketing concept supported by Micro$oft to make more money. I run old OS in controlled environment to avoid vulnerable conditions, but at least it still works, and at no further cost.
Herb987 - 1 year ago
----- Respectfully -----
In polite response to @Britechguy and anyone else interested...
... and me being in agreement with: @HolyCowz -
TITLE: Disable Windows 10 Spying - Privacy & Security
VIDEO LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1kGMCfb2xw
Please view the video before judging the video solely based on the title of the video.
The video is a real eye opener.
This is one, of many reasons, people stick with older versions of Windows.
Just trying to help.
Herb987