Windows 8.1 support will end on January 10, 2023

Topic

New Reply

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-8-1-support-will-end-on-january-10-2023-3cfd4cde-f611-496a-8057-923fba401e93

As a reminder, Windows 8.1 will reach end of support on January 10, 2023, at which point technical assistance and software updates will no longer be provided. If you have devices running Windows 8.1, we recommend upgrading them to a more current, in-service, and supported Windows release. If devices do not meet the technical requirements to run a more current release of Windows, we recommend that you replace the device with one that supports Windows 11.

Microsoft will not be offering an Extended Security Update (ESU) program for Windows 8.1. Continuing to use Windows 8.1 after January 10, 2023 may increase an organization’s exposure to security risks or impact its ability to meet compliance obligations…

* There is no free upgrade offer from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10/11.

3 users thanked author for this post.

BobbyB, Cybertooth, Microfix

Reply | Quote

Replies

Alex5723 wrote:

* There is no free upgrade offer from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10/11.

really 🙂 unless you have already aquired a W10 digital license by upgrading to W10 from Win7/8.1 previously and reverted back.

BTW, Win7 ESU is also ending on this date 🙁

Windows - commercial by definition and now function...

3 users thanked author for this post.

Cybertooth, geekdom, Alex5723

Reply | Quote

I don’t remember where but I’ve seen reports of people being able to upgrade to W10 from 8.1 for free, I think in a manner similar to how it used to be doable from W7. Apparently this upgrade is no longer free?

Edit to add: This is what I had in mind; scroll down to “Packrat’s Loophole: Try a Windows 7 or 8 key”
https://www.pcworld.com/article/397575/how-to-get-windows-cheap-or-even-for-free.html

Reply | Quote

I’m still using Windows 8.1 Pro on two Dell desktop PC’s along with Classic Shell to make the UI similar to Windows 7. They are rock solid systems and run very well with only reboots once a month to take a system image before installing Microsoft updates.

Both PC’s came with Windows 10 but after a few months I grew tired of the “OS as a service” where it felt like the system was serving Microsoft’s wishes instead of my own. What really pushed me over the edge was the change to Windows updates where there is no longer a simple method to turn off updating like previous OS versions. I also did not like the implementation of various services (SIH Client, WaasMedic and Update Orchestrator) and scheduled tasks that would periodically run even if you had disabled them. At some point they would automatically re-enable themselves and start running again which only contributed to the feeling the OS is not in my control anymore. Whereas with Windows 8.1 I can simply turn off updates and also perform a check for updates any time I wish without worrying it will trigger the download of something. Instead it just returns a list of updates that I can easily choose what to download and install. I prefer that level of built-in control and no need for some third party tool to do it.

As to when support ends for Windows 8.1, I plan to continue to use the systems normally for quite a while as OS updates are but one layer of security. I used Windows XP for years after support ended and I never had an issue regarding security of the system. Long term my plan is to move to Linux. Microsoft has lost the plot with their OS

5 users thanked author for this post.

Erik, analogkid, Microfix, 7ProSP1, Cybertooth

Reply | Quote

I am still running Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 on my Windows machines. I may switch one or two of them to Windows 10 1809 LTSC as the main OS (but the older Windows will still be kept) after the end of support of 8.1. Others I will continue to run the older Windows without regard to the so-called “security”.

While Windows 8.1 will not have an ESU, its server siblings Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 will have one :
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/extended-security-updates-overview

Hope for the best. Prepare for the worst.

3 users thanked author for this post.

Steve, Erik, Cybertooth

Reply | Quote

after installing the July updates today on my three Win 8.1 pc’s I’m getting the ESL nag screen for the first time.

I have a Win 7 that runs 0patch pro and I also have been installing the regular monthly security updates for years with the work around posted right here on askwoody.

It’s too bad I won’t  be able to do this also for my Win 8.1’s, I really like this OS. I have a Win 10 desktop that I dislike (but have finally gotten used to now that Win 11 is coming)

I’m going to contact 0patch and plead my case for them to add 8.1 to their micropatching system

"An analog kid in a digital world"

Win7 Ultimate home built desktop Running 0patch Pro

Two former 8.1 Laptops & two desktops now running Win 10

Win 10 Dell desktop

1 user thanked author for this post.

Erik

Reply | Quote

0Patch already covers Win8.1

2 users thanked author for this post.

Erik, DrBonzo

Reply | Quote

It does????

when I contacted 0patch with an issue some months ago they were terrific in helping me resolve it. I thanked them and suggested they consider supporting 8.1 when it reaches ESL, told them I would be happy to buy  pro protection for all three of my pc’s.

Their response was that there aren’t enough people running 8.1  so they had no plans to cover that OS.

If that’s changed it is truly fantastic news and a load off my mind.

 

Update: Just checked their website and I couldn’t find anything about 8.1.

Only mentioned Win 7, Server 2008 R2, and Win 10

 

"An analog kid in a digital world"

Win7 Ultimate home built desktop Running 0patch Pro

Two former 8.1 Laptops & two desktops now running Win 10

Win 10 Dell desktop

2 users thanked author for this post.

Erik, DrBonzo

Reply | Quote

I reached out to them and they indicated they will not support it.

Hi Susan,
 
We’ve seen very little demand for “security-adopting” Windows 8.1, and as you know this Windows version has not been as popular as Windows 7 or Windows 10 so we were not covering it with our 0day patches either; therefore we’re not planning to provide micropatches for this platform after its end-of-life.
 
Sorry,
Mitja Kolsek
0patch co-founder

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

2 users thanked author for this post.

Erik, DrBonzo

Reply | Quote

Thanks for contacting them.

This is truly sad news for me

"An analog kid in a digital world"

Win7 Ultimate home built desktop Running 0patch Pro

Two former 8.1 Laptops & two desktops now running Win 10

Win 10 Dell desktop

Reply | Quote

I am currently running 0patch on two of my Win8.1 installations.
It will be supported until Jan 2023, as I understand it.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Erik

Reply | Quote

I understand Windows 8.1 POS is supported until July 2023. Any chance we may be able to use another 6 months of security patches? Maybe the same way that Windows XP got 5 extra years?

Windows 8.1 Group B, Brave & Mozilla ESR - grudgingly & Protonmail

Reply | Quote

PKCano wrote:

I am currently running 0patch on two of my Win8.1 installations.
It will be supported until Jan 2023, as I understand it.

It 8.1 patched by 0Patch Pro ?

Reply | Quote

I’m using the Free version.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Alex5723

Reply | Quote