Microsoft To Notify Windows 8.1 Users That End of Support Is Approaching
Still running Windows 8.1? Microsoft plans on notifying you about the operating system’s approaching end of support, which will occur next year on January 10th.
Microsoft is preparing a campaign to send the reminder alerts, according(Opens in a new window) to ZDNet, which was first to report the news. The company also told PCMag the notifications will start arriving for Windows 8.1 users next month.
The end of support means that while Windows 8.1 will continue to run, Microsoft will no longer provide security patches, software updates or technical support to the OS. This could leave your device vulnerable in the event a serious flaw is uncovered in the software. So you may want to consider upgrading your device with Windows 10 or 11, although you’ll have to pay up.
Other alternatives include installing an antivirus product or simply being careful with how you use the Windows 8.1 device and what data it stores.
The upcoming notifications from Microsoft will be designed to provide information only. Users who see them will be able to click “Learn more,” “Remind me later,” or “Remind me after the end of support date.”
Still, the end of support change isn’t expected to affect many users. Steam’s hardware survey says(Opens in a new window) Windows 8.1 only has a 0.53% share across its user base.
Microsoft adds(Opens in a new window) that the end of support date also means Microsoft 365 apps on a Windows 8.1 device will no longer receive updates once the January deadline arrives. For more information on Windows 8.1’s end of support, Microsoft has created an FAQ(Opens in a new window) devoted to the topic. The company has also posted(Opens in a new window) an explainer on how to move files off of a Windows 8.1 device
Read more on pcmag.com
