Extended support for Windows 8.1 ends on January 10, 2023. From July, Microsoft apparently wants to warn users and give recommendations for switching.
Windows 8.1, the unpopular successor to the equally unloved Windows 8, was released 2013. Many users should no longer have this operating system; most will probably have already accepted Microsoft’s offer to upgrade to Windows 10 for free. Those who are still holding out for version 8.1 now have another argument for a change: Microsoft will soon stop supporting it.
Regular mainstream support for Windows 8.1 ended in January 2018; However, Microsoft’s operating systems will receive extended support for another five years, which includes security patches, among other things. But that will also end shortly – on January 10, 2023.
Three buttons
To make Windows 8.1 users aware of this, Microsoft will start doing so in July, according to the ZDNet news portal to display relevant information. Users can then click one of three buttons, according to the report: “Learn more,” “Remind me later,” or “Remind me after the end-of-support date.” .
Microsoft recommends upgrading to a supported operating system on its support page. In view of the tightened minimum requirements of Windows 11, only Windows 10 from Microsoft comes into question. But even that only gives you a little breathing space, because its extended support ends on October 14, 2025.
If you don’t feel like playing for time or are open to new things, switch to a Linux distribution. The c’t Linux network plan provides guidance.
