Microsoft has ended the Mainstream support for windows 7and now has moved to extended support phase. By the end of this year
Windows 7 will be no more supported by Microsoft. And
Windows 8.1 has also reached the end of its life. Windows 8 was the first service pack of Windows 8 series. Like all the other older versions, Windows provides different service packs. After a certain time collecting feedback from customers and finding fixes for all those errors. They will send a new service pack for the customers in the market. Windows 8.1 was the more advanced, enhanced, and updated service pack of Windows 8. In Windows 8.1 they have provided a more featured, improved, and faster version of Windows 8. 8.1 also introduced new manageability, security, user experience, and mobile capabilities for the users and businesses.
Lifecycle policy of windows 8.1
Both Windows 8.1 and 8 falls under the same lifecycle policy. Windows 8 was expected to be ended its mainstream support on January 9, 2018 but they had extended the support till 2023. And the end of extended support is on January 10, 2023. It means that Windows 8.1 users have only three more years left, as the year 2019 is going to end in a few months. After the Windows 8.1 end of life, there be limited support from third-party apps as well. New chips, a processor from manufacturers like Intel, AMD, and NVIDIA are not supported as well. In simple words: Windows 8 was no more officially supported by Microsoft, as it was going to end on January 12, 2016. However due to extended support, in 2023 Windows 8.1 will be ended officially.
Difference between Mainstream Support and Extended support?
Ending mainstream support means that you will no longer get new updates to improve your windows. You won’t get updates for security patches and bugs fixes. And there won’t be any kind of new features or warranty claims. It means that every Windows 8.1 users will receive only limited or not at all security updates. There is a slight possibility to get security updates but it will only apply for all those users who have applied for “Extended Hotfix Support”.
Will your computer even work?
Yes, your computer will work. There is a computer installed
Windows XP or
vista whose support was ended like years ago. Still, there are users who are using them but there is a catch. You can use it but there are a number of risks along.
What will happen in windows 8.1 at the end of life?
No more security: there will be a big security problem, as there won’t be any security updates anymore. Sure, you can use different security apps like anti-virus. However still, there will be a problem that you are going to face as antivirus cannot solve all the security issues.
Software support: Any software company won’t create software supporting your platform. This means, your windows 8.1 won’t be able to support any new apps.
Hardware support: The same goes for hardware, all the hardware like chips, processors, or new hard drives will not work well.
Solution
As now, we have encountered the problem. We need to find solutions to all our problems. The goal is to keep up with the current market or to be UpToDate. We cannot move to older windows versions like Windows XP, vista due to security and performance issues. We will need to move forward by installing the latest version of OS. Still there are millions of users using the OS without Microsoft support. However, we wouldn’t recommend you to use the OS without having support from officials. As it is riskier and could harm your files. You can either
download the latest Windows (10) or you will need to find an alternative.
