Microsoft to end support for Windows 8.1 next week

Microsoft will be ending support for its Windows 8.1 operating systems from January 10, after which the company will stop providing technical assistance and software updates for the OS. In addition to Windows 8.1, Microsoft will also be ending support for its Windows 7 Extended Security Update program on January 10, 2023. Microsoft had already stopped rolling out technical and security updates for Windows 7 in early 2020.

Furthermore, the company said that it will not be offering an Extended Security Update (ESU) program for its Windows 8.1 OS, unlike the Windows 7 OS. This means that Windows PC users, who still have their devices running the Windows 8.1 OS will no longer get the critical security updates to safeguard their PCs and their data from cyber threats. Also, these PCs will not be able to access the latest features and functionalities offered by the company.

ESU program is a last resort option for customers who need to run certain legacy Microsoft products past the end of support. It includes critical and important security updates for a maximum of three years after the product’s end of extended support date.

Microsoft has recommended that users who have devices running Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 should upgrade them to Windows 11 as soon as possible. If their devices do not meet the technical requirements to run Windows 11, they ‘replace the device with one that supports Windows 11’.