Preparing for Drupal 7 End-of-Life: Key Dates and Action Steps

As Drupal 7's end-of-life (EOL) approaches on January 5, 2025, the Drupal Association has released a comprehensive FAQ to guide users through this significant transition. This impending EOL raises crucial questions about the future of Drupal 7 websites, including the implications for security, compliance, and functionality. The article provides detailed answers, creating a sense of urgency for site owners to plan their next steps. Why is Drupal 7 being retired? The primary reason is to reallocate community resources to newer versions with more modern architectures and capabilities. This shift also aligns with the broader initiative known as Drupal Starshot, which aims to innovate and maintain the latest Drupal versions.

Key dates in this transition include the announcement of the EOL extension on February 23, 2022, the commencement of reduced support from August 1, 2023, and the official EOL date on January 5, 2025. After this date, Drupal 7 will no longer receive security updates or official support. For those needing continued support, options like HeroDevs' Drupal 7 Never-Ending Support (NES) offer ongoing security updates and compliance support. The article also highlights the need for users to migrate unsupported modules and themes and to consider upgrading their PHP version and operating systems. For those seeking to migrate, the Drupal Association is certifying migration partners to assist in this process.