The day is finally here: Microsoft has officially ended support for Windows 8.1, which launched almost 10 years ago.
The end-of-support date—Jan. 10, 2023—means Microsoft will no longer supply security patches or technical support to the operating system, leaving those still running the aging OS vulnerable to potential security threats.
Also today, Microsoft is ending support for enterprise users on Windows 7. The company officially ended support for Windows 7 for consumers on Jan. 14, 2020. But it gave businesses still reliant on the OS the option to continue receiving security patches for another three years.
Both operating systems will still function, but without Microsoft’s official support. That means users will have to troubleshoot any problems themselves, and face the risk of computer hacks coming through any unpatched security vulnerabilities.
For months now, the company has been warning Windows 8.1 users about the end-of-support date through notifications on the OS. The problem is that Microsoft isn’t offering affected consumers a free upgrade path to Windows 10 or Windows 11, which can cost $139.
Making the issue more complicated is that Windows 11 generally only works on PCs released in the last five years. Hence, all Windows 8.1 devices will likely be ineligible for the upgrade. Meanwhile, support for consumers on Windows 10 is slated to end on Oct. 14, 2025.
That said, few users will be affected. Market share stats indicate Windows 8.1 only has 0.41% to 2.6% of the OS market. Meanwhile, Windows 7 has a 1.6% to 11% share of the market.
Microsoft created an FAQ for Windows 8.1 users on the end-of-support date. If you stick with the OS, we recommend you back up your files, install an antivirus software, and refrain from logging the device into important online accounts, such as your banks. This should help minimize the impact of any potential hack.