Windows 8.1 will be retired in January 2023

Nov 15, 2022 15:54 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft is getting ready to retire a new Windows version, with the company now issuing a warning that Windows 8.1 is approaching the end of life.

Users are obviously told to upgrade as soon as possible, and the Redmond-based software giant explains that moving to a newer version of the operating system is the only way to remain secure and continue to receive updates.

Furthermore, as Neowin observed, Microsoft recommends users to purchase new devices capable of running Windows 11 – most of the computers dating back to the Windows 8.1 era do not support the new Windows version, so buying a new device is pretty much the only option.

“As a reminder, Windows 8.1 will reach end of support on January 10, 2023, at which point technical assistance and software updates will no longer be provided. If you have devices running Windows 8.1, we recommend upgrading them to a more current, in-service, and supported Windows release. If devices do not meet the technical requirements to run a more current release of Windows, we recommend that you replace the device with one that supports Windows 11,” Microsoft says.

No ESU for Windows 8.1

The big difference versus the end of support for Windows 7 is that Microsoft won’t be offering extended security updates to companies that are willing to pay for them.

In other words, once the end of support is reached, Windows 8.1 is gone for good, and upgrading is indeed the only option to continue to receive updates on a Windows device.

“Microsoft will not be offering an Extended Security Update (ESU) program for Windows 8.1. Continuing to use Windows 8.1 after January 10, 2023 may increase an organization’s exposure to security risks or impact its ability to meet compliance obligations,” Microsoft explains in the warning.