Microsoft intends to discontinue support for Windows 8.1 after saying goodbye to Internet Explorer. If you use Microsoft 365, you won’t get any more functionality, security, or other high-quality upgrades for the Office apps after January 10.
Microsoft ceased providing security updates for Windows 8 on January 12, 2016. Users of Windows 8.1 still have plenty of time, but they should be aware that Microsoft 365 programs won’t function properly after this version’s end of service date. To avoid any reliability or performance difficulties, the business is encouraging users to upgrade to a newer version of Windows.
The reaction to Windows 8 was considerably improved by Windows 8.1. Windows 8 provided a new touch-centric vision for Microsoft’s future, but many PC users rejected it because of how drastically it did away with the old desktop and Start button. The mobile-first OS didn’t fit with what people wanted, and Microsoft apologized by bringing back the Start button in Windows 8.1.
Despite the improvements brought by the Windows 8.1 update, Microsoft and many of its users will be eager to forget the Windows 8 period. Faced with competition from the iPad, Microsoft tried to update Windows but instead alienated many of its devoted fans.
Windows 8.1 users will now need to decide whether to upgrade their operating system or buy a new PC. Most Windows 8.1 machines won’t even support Windows 11, admits Microsoft, due to its strict CPU requirements. “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 as the likely upgrade path, which will continue to be supported until October 14th 2025. Windows 8.1 machines won’t magically stop working on January 10th 2023, but without software updates and security fixes it’s a giant risk to keep running the OS next year.
For more such updates, visit: Tech in News
