diff --git a/azure-pipelines.yml b/azure-pipelines.yml
index 0e7e097db51f..761da0833578 100644
--- a/azure-pipelines.yml
+++ b/azure-pipelines.yml
@@ -299,31 +299,3 @@ stages:
         testResultsFiles: '**/test-*.xml'
         failTaskOnFailedTests: true
         testRunTitle: 'Publish test results for conda installation'
-
-
-  #- job: Linux_gcc48
-    #pool:
-      ## ubuntu-20.04 does not provide a gcc-4.8 package
-      #vmImage: 'ubuntu-18.04'
-    #steps:
-    #- script: |
-            #sudo apt update
-            #sudo apt install python3.7
-            #sudo apt install python3.7-dev
-            #if ! `gcc-4.8 2>/dev/null`; then
-                #sudo apt install gcc-4.8
-            #fi
-      #displayName: 'add gcc 4.8'
-    #- script: |
-            ## python3 has no setuptools, so install one to get us going
-            #python3.7 -m pip install --user --upgrade pip 'setuptools<49.2.0'
-            #python3.7 -m pip install --user -r test_requirements.txt
-            #CPPFLAGS='' CC=gcc-4.8 F77=gfortran-5 F90=gfortran-5 \
-            #python3.7 runtests.py --debug-info --mode=full -- -rsx --junitxml=junit/test-results.xml
-      #displayName: 'Run gcc4.8 Build / Tests'
-    #- task: PublishTestResults@2
-      #condition: succeededOrFailed()
-      #inputs:
-        #testResultsFiles: '**/test-*.xml'
-        #failTaskOnFailedTests: true
-        #testRunTitle: 'Publish test results for gcc 4.8'
diff --git a/doc/source/dev/development_environment.rst b/doc/source/dev/development_environment.rst
index 1d6e71b6df44..4772366d2696 100644
--- a/doc/source/dev/development_environment.rst
+++ b/doc/source/dev/development_environment.rst
@@ -194,9 +194,9 @@ That also takes extra arguments, like ``--pdb`` which drops you into the Python
 debugger when a test fails or an exception is raised.
 
 Running tests with `tox`_ is also supported.  For example, to build NumPy and
-run the test suite with Python 3.7, use::
+run the test suite with Python 3.9, use::
 
-    $ tox -e py37
+    $ tox -e py39
 
 For more extensive information, see :ref:`testing-guidelines`
 
diff --git a/doc/source/f2py/code/CMakeLists.txt b/doc/source/f2py/code/CMakeLists.txt
index d16ddf77ed51..6f5170ad5348 100644
--- a/doc/source/f2py/code/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/doc/source/f2py/code/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -14,8 +14,8 @@ if(PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR STREQUAL PROJECT_BINARY_DIR)
   )
 endif()
 
-# Grab Python, 3.7 or newer
-find_package(Python 3.7 REQUIRED
+# Grab Python, 3.8 or newer
+find_package(Python 3.8 REQUIRED
   COMPONENTS Interpreter Development.Module NumPy)
 
 # Grab the variables from a local Python installation
diff --git a/doc/source/f2py/code/CMakeLists_skbuild.txt b/doc/source/f2py/code/CMakeLists_skbuild.txt
index 3d092760b0db..f2d6b69c1ba8 100644
--- a/doc/source/f2py/code/CMakeLists_skbuild.txt
+++ b/doc/source/f2py/code/CMakeLists_skbuild.txt
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ endif()
 
 # Ensure scikit-build modules
 if (NOT SKBUILD)
-  find_package(PythonInterp 3.7 REQUIRED)
+  find_package(PythonInterp 3.8 REQUIRED)
   # Kanged --> https://github.com/Kitware/torch_liberator/blob/master/CMakeLists.txt
   # If skbuild is not the driver; include its utilities in CMAKE_MODULE_PATH
   execute_process(
diff --git a/doc/source/user/absolute_beginners.rst b/doc/source/user/absolute_beginners.rst
index cf11c67452f1..a4a82afb61c7 100644
--- a/doc/source/user/absolute_beginners.rst
+++ b/doc/source/user/absolute_beginners.rst
@@ -1344,7 +1344,7 @@ followed by the docstring of ``ndarray`` of which ``a`` is an instance):
   Type:            ndarray
   String form:     [1 2 3 4 5 6]
   Length:          6
-  File:            ~/anaconda3/lib/python3.7/site-packages/numpy/__init__.py
+  File:            ~/anaconda3/lib/python3.9/site-packages/numpy/__init__.py
   Docstring:       <no docstring>
   Class docstring:
   ndarray(shape, dtype=float, buffer=None, offset=0,
diff --git a/numpy/core/tests/test_regression.py b/numpy/core/tests/test_regression.py
index 937dcb93e35b..98e0df9b84a3 100644
--- a/numpy/core/tests/test_regression.py
+++ b/numpy/core/tests/test_regression.py
@@ -2480,8 +2480,6 @@ def __len__(self):
         assert arr.shape == (1, 0, 0)
 
     @pytest.mark.skipif(sys.maxsize < 2 ** 31 + 1, reason='overflows 32-bit python')
-    @pytest.mark.skipif(sys.platform == 'win32' and sys.version_info[:2] < (3, 8),
-                        reason='overflows on windows, fixed in bpo-16865')
     def test_to_ctypes(self):
         #gh-14214
         arr = np.zeros((2 ** 31 + 1,), 'b')
diff --git a/numpy/distutils/misc_util.py b/numpy/distutils/misc_util.py
index 42bf807d19be..78665d351b6e 100644
--- a/numpy/distutils/misc_util.py
+++ b/numpy/distutils/misc_util.py
@@ -2348,11 +2348,7 @@ def generate_config_py(target):
             extra_dll_dir = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), '.libs')
 
             if sys.platform == 'win32' and os.path.isdir(extra_dll_dir):
-                if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-                    os.add_dll_directory(extra_dll_dir)
-                else:
-                    os.environ.setdefault('PATH', '')
-                    os.environ['PATH'] += os.pathsep + extra_dll_dir
+                os.add_dll_directory(extra_dll_dir)
 
             """))
 
@@ -2495,4 +2491,3 @@ def exec_mod_from_location(modname, modfile):
     foo = importlib.util.module_from_spec(spec)
     spec.loader.exec_module(foo)
     return foo
-
diff --git a/numpy/testing/tests/test_utils.py b/numpy/testing/tests/test_utils.py
index 2af0467f16ef..7b326365d8bc 100644
--- a/numpy/testing/tests/test_utils.py
+++ b/numpy/testing/tests/test_utils.py
@@ -1223,7 +1223,7 @@ def test_regex(self):
                       lambda: assert_string_equal("aaa", "a+b"))
 
 
-def assert_warn_len_equal(mod, n_in_context, py37=None):
+def assert_warn_len_equal(mod, n_in_context):
     try:
         mod_warns = mod.__warningregistry__
     except AttributeError:
@@ -1245,6 +1245,7 @@ def assert_warn_len_equal(mod, n_in_context, py37=None):
 
     assert_equal(num_warns, n_in_context)
 
+
 def test_warn_len_equal_call_scenarios():
     # assert_warn_len_equal is called under
     # varying circumstances depending on serial
@@ -1294,22 +1295,20 @@ def test_clear_and_catch_warnings():
         warnings.warn('Some warning')
     assert_equal(my_mod.__warningregistry__, {})
     # Without specified modules, don't clear warnings during context
-    # Python 3.7 catch_warnings doesn't make an entry for 'ignore'.
     with clear_and_catch_warnings():
         warnings.simplefilter('ignore')
         warnings.warn('Some warning')
-    assert_warn_len_equal(my_mod, 1, py37=0)
+    assert_warn_len_equal(my_mod, 1)
     # Confirm that specifying module keeps old warning, does not add new
     with clear_and_catch_warnings(modules=[my_mod]):
         warnings.simplefilter('ignore')
         warnings.warn('Another warning')
-    assert_warn_len_equal(my_mod, 1, py37=0)
+    assert_warn_len_equal(my_mod, 1)
     # Another warning, no module spec does add to warnings dict, except on
-    # Python 3.7 catch_warnings doesn't make an entry for 'ignore'.
     with clear_and_catch_warnings():
         warnings.simplefilter('ignore')
         warnings.warn('Another warning')
-    assert_warn_len_equal(my_mod, 2, py37=0)
+    assert_warn_len_equal(my_mod, 2)
 
 
 def test_suppress_warnings_module():
@@ -1338,7 +1337,7 @@ def warn(arr):
     # got filtered)
     assert_equal(len(sup.log), 1)
     assert_equal(sup.log[0].message.args[0], "Some warning")
-    assert_warn_len_equal(my_mod, 0, py37=0)
+    assert_warn_len_equal(my_mod, 0)
     sup = suppress_warnings()
     # Will have to be changed if apply_along_axis is moved:
     sup.filter(module=my_mod)
@@ -1352,11 +1351,11 @@ def warn(arr):
     assert_warn_len_equal(my_mod, 0)
 
     # Without specified modules, don't clear warnings during context
-    # Python 3.7 does not add ignored warnings.
     with suppress_warnings():
         warnings.simplefilter('ignore')
         warnings.warn('Some warning')
-    assert_warn_len_equal(my_mod, 1, py37=0)
+    assert_warn_len_equal(my_mod, 1)
+
 
 def test_suppress_warnings_type():
     # Initial state of module, no warnings
@@ -1380,11 +1379,10 @@ def test_suppress_warnings_type():
     assert_warn_len_equal(my_mod, 0)
 
     # Without specified modules, don't clear warnings during context
-    # Python 3.7 does not add ignored warnings.
     with suppress_warnings():
         warnings.simplefilter('ignore')
         warnings.warn('Some warning')
-    assert_warn_len_equal(my_mod, 1, py37=0)
+    assert_warn_len_equal(my_mod, 1)
 
 
 def test_suppress_warnings_decorate_no_record():
diff --git a/numpy/tests/test_scripts.py b/numpy/tests/test_scripts.py
index e67a829471dc..5aa8191bbd2d 100644
--- a/numpy/tests/test_scripts.py
+++ b/numpy/tests/test_scripts.py
@@ -24,8 +24,8 @@ def find_f2py_commands():
     else:
         # Three scripts are installed in Unix-like systems:
         # 'f2py', 'f2py{major}', and 'f2py{major.minor}'. For example,
-        # if installed with python3.7 the scripts would be named
-        # 'f2py', 'f2py3', and 'f2py3.7'.
+        # if installed with python3.9 the scripts would be named
+        # 'f2py', 'f2py3', and 'f2py3.9'.
         version = sys.version_info
         major = str(version.major)
         minor = str(version.minor)
diff --git a/numpy/typing/tests/data/pass/array_constructors.py b/numpy/typing/tests/data/pass/array_constructors.py
index 2763d9c9272a..e035a73c6fe9 100644
--- a/numpy/typing/tests/data/pass/array_constructors.py
+++ b/numpy/typing/tests/data/pass/array_constructors.py
@@ -23,9 +23,8 @@ def func(i: int, j: int, **kwargs: Any) -> SubClass:
 B_stack = np.array([[1], [1]]).view(SubClass)
 C = [1]
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    np.ndarray(Index())
-    np.ndarray([Index()])
+np.ndarray(Index())
+np.ndarray([Index()])
 
 np.array(1, dtype=float)
 np.array(1, copy=False)
diff --git a/numpy/typing/tests/data/pass/scalars.py b/numpy/typing/tests/data/pass/scalars.py
index b258db49fd7c..684d41fad61f 100644
--- a/numpy/typing/tests/data/pass/scalars.py
+++ b/numpy/typing/tests/data/pass/scalars.py
@@ -59,10 +59,9 @@ def __float__(self) -> float:
 np.float32("1")
 np.float16(b"2.5")
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    np.uint64(D())
-    np.float32(D())
-    np.complex64(D())
+np.uint64(D())
+np.float32(D())
+np.complex64(D())
 
 np.bytes_(b"hello")
 np.bytes_("hello", 'utf-8')
diff --git a/tools/find_deprecated_escaped_characters.py b/tools/find_deprecated_escaped_characters.py
index 0a324b4825e8..d7225b8e85f6 100644
--- a/tools/find_deprecated_escaped_characters.py
+++ b/tools/find_deprecated_escaped_characters.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 be written as '\\(' or r'\('.
 
 """
-import sys
+
 
 def main(root):
     """Find deprecated escape sequences.
diff --git a/tox.ini b/tox.ini
index ddab072857dc..f47551398ad8 100644
--- a/tox.ini
+++ b/tox.ini
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 #     - Use pip to install the numpy sdist into the virtualenv
 #     - Run the numpy tests
 # To run against a specific subset of Python versions, use:
-#   tox -e py37
+#   tox -e py39
 
 # Extra arguments will be passed to runtests.py. To run
 # the full testsuite:
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@
 
 [tox]
 envlist =
-  py37,py38,py39
+  py38,py39
 
 [testenv]
 deps= -Ur{toxinidir}/test_requirements.txt