Microsoft prepares to overlook about Windows 8.1 with finish of assist notifications

Microsoft is making ready to ship reminders to Windows 8.1 customers that assist will finish on January tenth 2023. The software program big will begin sending notifications to present Windows 8.1 gadgets subsequent month, as a primary reminder main as much as the January 2023 assist cutoff.

The notifications shall be much like ones Microsoft has used prior to now to remind Windows 7 customers about finish of assist dates. Microsoft initially sundown Windows 8 assist in 2016, however the Windows 8.1 replace will stop assist absolutely in January 2023. Microsoft is not going to offer an Extended Security Update (ESU) program for Windows 8.1, so companies gained’t be capable of pay for added safety patches and should improve or settle for the danger of operating software program with out safety updates.

Windows 8.1 was largely a giant repair for the reception to Windows 8. Windows 8 launched a brand new touch-centric imaginative and prescient for Microsoft’s future, nevertheless it ditched the standard desktop and Start button in such a giant means that many PC customers rejected it. The mobile-first OS didn’t jibe with what customers wished, and Windows 8.1 introduced again the Start button in an admission from Microsoft that it had tousled.

Despite the Windows 8.1 replace enhancements, the Windows 8 period shall be one Microsoft and plenty of of its clients shall be eager to overlook. Microsoft tried to modernize Windows within the face of iPad competitors, and ended up alienating a lot of its loyal clients as an alternative. Windows 10 arrived in 2015 and walked again a lot of Windows 8’s boldest adjustments, and Windows 11 has gone even additional by eradicating the Windows Phone-like Live Tiles from the Start menu and overhauling lots of the historical relics which have existed in Windows for many years.

Photo by Tom Warren / The Verge

Windows 8.1 customers will now must determine whether or not to improve their working system or purchase a brand new PC. Most Windows 8.1 machines gained’t even assist Windows 11, admits Microsoft, attributable to its strict CPU necessities. “Most Windows 8.1 or Windows 8 devices will not meet the hardware requirements for upgrading to Windows 11, as an alternative, compatible Windows 8 and 8.1 PCs can be upgraded to Windows 10 by purchasing and installing a full version of the software,” explains Microsoft in a support note.

That leaves Windows 10 because the doubtless improve path, which is able to proceed to be supported till October 14th 2025. Windows 8.1 machines gained’t magically cease engaged on January tenth 2023, however with out software program updates and safety fixes it’s a large danger to maintain operating the OS subsequent 12 months. Microsoft’s support site has a bunch of FAQs and articles to assist Windows 8.1 customers improve or transfer recordsdata to a brand new machine.