GOOGLE Chrome fans have been warned they'll have to stop using the app on old versions of Windows next year to stay safe.

The tech giant is dropping support for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1.

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Google techies will stop providing access to the latest features, as well as important security updates.

This means hackers are free to exploit any bugs that come up.

Chrome 110 will not work on both operating systems from February 7, 2023.

"You’ll need to ensure your device is running Windows 10 or later to continue receiving future Chrome releases," Google said.

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"This matches Microsoft’s end of support for Windows 7 ESU and Windows 8.1 extended support on January 10th, 2023."

Windows 7 was released way back in 2009, while Windows 8.1 came out in 2013.

Most people have now moved onto Windows 10, or more recently, Windows 11.

But according to , Windows 7 still has a sizeable market share of more than 10 per cent.

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Unpopular Windows 8.1 is currently at about 2.7 per cent.

It's fairly standard practice for companies to give up on older operating systems after so many years, as it becomes a costly burden for them to work on dated tech with ever dwindling user numbers.

Microsoft has said after 10 January, 2023 it will no longer provide security updates or technical support for Windows 8.1.

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Support for Windows 7 ended way back in January 2020.

Anyone using either operating systems should really consider upgrading to ensure their data remains safe. 

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