Microsoft will soon start warning Windows 8.1 users about looming end-of-support date

[Shawn Knight]

Recap: Windows 8.1 hit the scene in 2013, roughly a year after the debut of its predecessor, and was meant to address some of the shortcomings of Windows 8. While it was an improvement, it still wasn't all that great and Microsoft was more than happy to start rolling out Windows 10 in the summer of 2015.

Microsoft is reportedly prepping a campaign to inform Windows 8.1 users about the operating system's pending end-of-life status.

Redmond started winding down support for Windows 8.1 on January 9, 2018, when the OS saw mainstream support come to an end. On January 10, 2023, the extended support period will conclude, at which time technical assistance, updates and security patches will no longer be supplied.

According to StatCounter, Windows 8.1 is installed on just 3.06 percent of computers worldwide.

Microsoft concedes that most systems running Windows 8.1 will not meet the hardware requirements to upgrade to Windows 11, but Windows 10 might still be an option for some. That said, Windows 10 is scheduled to reach its end of support date in just over three years on October 14, 2025. All things considered, a new PC running Windows 11 might be the best upgrade path for some.

According to ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley, Microsoft will start sending notifications about the looming end-of-support date to Windows 8.1 users in July.

Image credit: Tadas Sar

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https://www.techspot.com/news/95067-microsoft-soon-start-warning-windows-81-users-about.html

 

[BigRedPDX]

I'm surprised anyone stuck with Win8 at all. At least get 10 and worry about 11 later lol

 

[Bullwinkle M]

I'm surprised anyone stuck with Win8 at all. At least get 10 and worry about 11 later lol

Why are you suprised?

I run Windows XP, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 Pro and Windows 11 Pro on the same computer

XP and 8.1 have the widest software support with the least amount of problems and are the best choices for audio production and editing

10 and 11 are far less secure and far too limited to get any actual work done

 

[BigRedPDX]

Why are you suprised?

I run Windows XP, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 Pro and Windows 11 Pro on the same computer

XP and 8.1 have the widest software support with the least amount of problems and are the best choices for audio production and editing

10 and 11 are far less secure and far too limited to get any actual work done

I use FL studio and all my mixing software in Win10 without any issues. Now I'm really surprised.

 

[Bullwinkle M]

I use FL studio and all my mixing software in Win10 without any issues. Now I'm really surprised.

Well of course you are!

Was it the fact that Windows 10 and 11 change far too often that surprised you?

That programs working fine today may not work tomorrow?

That updates break things?

That many older programs no longer work?

That you can block updates, but Microsoft disregards
what you want and updates anyway?

Was it the convoluted audio settings?

Was it the backdoors and spyware?

What was it?

Tell us more....

 

[Underdog]

W8.1 end of support? Oh dear!
I was so frightened when they announced the end of W7 that I actually stayed with it. Strangely discovered loads of other people did too.
No regrets. No problems. No troublesome updates or "new improved user experiences" that I don't need.

 

[Bullwinkle M]

More problems and less solutions.....

Welcome to Windows 11

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/773585/audio-devices-showing-issues-in-windows-11-update/

 

[RudyBob]

Win 2K was my fav

 

[Uncle Al]

I've still got some old clients that are running the DOS version of Windows and flatly refuse to upgrade. All of these are running equipment via A to D boards but they love them and I have to admit, they are all still chugging along. Fortunately none are connected to the internet so they really don't get into trouble other than the occasional one I have to insist opening the covers and blowing out all the dust ..... lots of dust ..... LOL

 

[netman]

Why are you suprised?

I run Windows XP, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 Pro and Windows 11 Pro on the same computer

XP and 8.1 have the widest software support with the least amount of problems and are the best choices for audio production and editing

10 and 11 are far less secure and far too limited to get any actual work done

I will hold on to my Win 8.1 Pro till the last minute...!

 

[ZedRM]

Why is ANYONE still using Windows 8.1?!?

 

[Sathi43]

Hoping to see the the end of all windows versions permanently

 

[Ludak021]

I don't think that people that care about security on windows care about windows updates...If anything, they have disabled them long time ago.