Windows 8.1 is a generation operating system released by Microsoft on the evening of October 17, 2013, applied to devices such as computers and tablets, and will reach its end of life on January 10, 2023 (EOL ). Now, Microsoft has begun to warn Windows 8.1 users that support is about half a year away from the system.
On the second Tuesday of July, we have multiple versions of Windows system updates. Meanwhile, Microsoft has also started warning that support for certain versions of the operating system will soon end.
Microsoft has previously stated that Windows 8.1 users will receive a pop-up reminder similar to the one that appeared before Windows 7 ended support, and it seems a little different now.
From the feedback from some users, Microsoft gave users three choices. You can choose to learn more, be reminded later, or be reminded when support ends.
While Microsoft's reminder is milder than usual, you'll still see it if you don't upgrade your system. Even if you choose "Remind later", it will be reminded every month. Of course, once support for Win8.1 officially ends on January 10, 2023, you'll have the option to never be reminded again.
As we all know, when Microsoft ended support for Windows XP and Windows 7, it was a bit aggressive and caused a large part of the industry to complain.
With Win XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10 all the way to the current Windows 11, Microsoft has turned its update strategy into a very user-friendly design, and even the latest Win11 is only updated once a year, Even if it is no longer supported, it just adds a watermark.
Also, although Microsoft hasn't publicly acknowledged it, you can still use any Windows 7, 8.1, or 10 right now to upgrade to Windows 11 for free and get a genuine identity. While Windows 11 currently only supports newer hardware, most Windows 8.1 hardware can be upgraded to Windows 10.
However, even if you upgrade to Windows 10, Microsoft will stop supporting it in 2025, just to give your computer an extra three years.
Microsoft released Windows 8.1 on October 17, 2013, in an attempt to fix and improve the Windows 8 system. Windows 8.1 brings back the traditional Start menu button, as well as the option to boot directly to the desktop rather than a completely redesigned Start menu interface. Windows 8.1 also includes Internet Explorer 11 (rest in peace), improved integration with OneDrive, and other tweaks.
Interestingly, Windows 8.1 is the only major Windows update that Microsoft allows users to download from the Microsoft Store, similar to how Apple updates macOS.
On January 9, 2018, Windows 8.1 ended mainstream support. Unlike its predecessors, Windows 8.1 does not support the Extended Security Update Program, which means that commercial companies cannot pay for the update patch service provided by Microsoft after January 10, 2023.