14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is making some changes to its Translator app, removing support for old Windows versions on both PCs and mobile phones, with users prompted to update to the latest releases.
The Translator app, which is currently available on the majority of Windows versions, will only work on Windows 8.1/Windows Phone 8.1 and newer, so releases older than that will no longer be supported.
Microsoft says in an announcement that Windows 8, Windows Phone 7.1 and Windows Phone 8 will be removed from the supported lists and the Translator app will no longer be available in the Store on these platforms starting March 22. The app will stop working on April 30, it adds.
Upgrade and you’re good to go
The easiest way to continue using the Translator app without being impacted by this decision is to upgrade to the latest version of Windows and Windows Phone, which are Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile, respectively (in the case of phones, Windows Phone 8.1 works too, especially given that Windows 10 Mobile is not available for all smartphones).
“Translator will still support Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1, with new versions releasing shortly. However, users will need to ensure their app is updated before April 30, 2017, to ensure it will continue to function,” Microsoft explains.
Microsoft’s decision kind of makes sense given the fact that fewer users run these platforms at this point, with the majority of them already upgraded to newer versions, as is the case of Windows 8.1/10 on the PC or Windows Phone 8.1 on smartphones.
According to third-party data, only 2 percent of the world’s PCs are still running Windows 8, and it’s probably just a matter of time until they migrate to Windows 8.1, mostly because it’s a free upgrade for everyone.
The Translator app will continue working flawlessly on newer platforms and there are no plans to deprecate it on Windows 8.1 or Windows Phone 8.1 at this point.