Currently Windows 8.1 users may be counted on the fingers. But for loyal users of Windows 8.1, Microsoft announced that the operating system will be discontinued on January 10, 2023.
So that users don't forget, Microsoft will provide notifications to devices that are still running Windows 8.1. The first notification will be given in July 2022 and will continue until Windows 8.1 support ends in January 2023.
The notifications Microsoft sends will be similar to the ones they used previously to remind Windows 7 users of the end-of-support schedule and advise them to upgrade to the latest operating system.
On receiving the notification, users will see three options to click on, namely 'Learn more', 'Remind me later', or 'Remind me after the end-of-support date'.
Microsoft first released Windows 8.1 in 2013 as the successor to Windows 8. This operating system is Microsoft's way of improving Windows 8 which gets a cold reception from users.
The company created by Bill Gates had previously discontinued 'Mainstream Support' for Windows 8.1 in January 2018. But this operating system still gets 'Extended Support' for five years to provide software updates, regular security updates, and technical assistance.
Unlike Windows 7, Microsoft does not plan to provide Extended Security Updates for Windows 8.1. This means that business users cannot pay for additional security updates after January 10, 2023.
Windows 8.1 users who still want to use their devices are advised to update to Windows 10. Most Windows 8.1 devices are not compatible with Windows 11 because the minimum specification requirements are quite strict, so the update options are limited to Windows 10 only.
"Most Windows 8.1 or Windows 8 devices will not qualify hardware for upgrading to Windows 11, alternatively, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 PCs can be updated to Windows 10 by purchasing and installing the full version of the software," Microsoft said on its support page, as quoted from The Verge, Sunday (26/6/2022).
Microsoft itself will still support Windows 10 until October 14, 2025. Even though support is revoked Windows 8.1 devices will not just die, but without software updates and device security it becomes more risky.