Windows 8 was awful. It may even have contributed to the loss of then-CEO Steve Ballmer's job. Windows 8.1 was a relative improvement—but nothing special—but if you're a fan, you only have a few months left before it's gone for good.
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Microsoft is ending support for Windows 8.1 on January 10, 2023. This means that Microsoft will no longer offer any kind of extended support for Windows 8.1 users. At this point, you have two options: buy a new Windows PC or officially upgrade to either Windows 10 or Windows 11 (for a fee).
On January 10, Microsoft will stop providing security patches and other fixes for Windows 8.1. If exploitable vulnerabilities or malware emerge after that date, you will need to rely solely on your antivirus software—Microsoft will not release any more updates after that point. As a result, your computer will be vulnerable to external threats without these additional layers of defense.
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This change won't just affect Windows. Microsoft 365 (formerly known as Microsoft Office) is a subscription that users can sign up for to receive ongoing updates, including fixes and new features. However, after January 10, 2020, Microsoft will no longer offer these updates – including fixes and new features – for Windows 8.1 users who are subscribed to Microsoft 365.
Learn how to upgrade your computer from Windows 8.1 in easy steps!
If you're currently using a Windows 8 PC, Microsoft acknowledges that the outlook may be grim. "Most Windows 8.1 or Windows 8 devices do not meet the hardware requirements to upgrade to Windows 11," the company says.
You have two options: either buy a computer with Windows 11 or upgrade to Windows 10. Considering the high hardware requirements for Windows 11, upgrading from 8 is probably not possible.
Before upgrading the Microsoft operating system, make sure to back up your data in case something goes wrong. To upgrade from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10, open the Media Creation Tool, select “Upgrade this PC now,” and click Install.
Windows 10 will be supported by Microsoft until October 14, 2025, so you have plenty of time until the next change/upgrade.
Information source: pcworld.com
