Microsoft starts teasing Windows 8.1 users in July about end of support date in January 2023
Credit: Microsoft
Many Windows users are still using Windows 8.1 these days. But those who may (or may not) know that support for version 8.1 will end on January 10, 2023.
Just to make sure Windows 8.1 users know this, Microsoft will start notifying them starting in July about the looming end of support date. Microsoft said when they see the notifications, users will be able to click "More info," "Remind me later," or "Remind me after the end of support date" through January 2023. Microsoft has used these types of notifications in the past when trying to get users on older versions of Windows To upgrade to newer/still supported versions. (For what it's worth: Those running domain-bound computers, in the past, didn't bother.)
Microsoft began rolling out Windows 8.1 - the poorly received direct successor to Windows 8 - in 2013. Microsoft marked the end of "basic support" for Windows 8.1 in January 2018. Under Microsoft's lifecycle support policy, Windows 8.1 also gets An additional five years of Extended Support during which users receive regular security updates, enabled software updates, and technical assistance.
Microsoft does not plan to offer Extended Security Updates for Windows 8.1 as it did with Windows 7. This means that there will be no way to continue getting security updates for Windows 8.1 after January 10, 2023. Microsoft is calling on users on Windows 8.1 to move to Windows 11, But Windows 10 is another option. Microsoft will continue to support Windows 10 and receive security updates until October 14, 2025.