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Mainstream support for Windows 8.1 has ended

The original version of Windows 8.1 was released in October 2013. Since then, Microsoft has released a few major updates for the Windows 8.1 platform, including Update 1 (April 2014), Update 2 (August 2014), Update 3 (November 2014) and subsequently a bunch of cumulative rollups, including security fixes and stability improvements. Windows 8.1 has exited mainstream support on January 9, 2018.

End of mainstream support refers to the date when Microsoft no longer provides non-security fixes, updates, or online technical assistance. This is the time to make sure you have the latest available update or service pack installed. When extended support ends, Windows 8.1 will no longer receive security updates that can help protect your PC from harmful viruses, spyware, and other malicious software that can steal your personal information.

Windows 8 End Of Mainstream Support

This period from now until January 2023 is called as extended support.

The original release of Windows 8 was full of controversial features. The initial release had no start button on the taskbar. It was the first version of Windows with two management interfaces: the classic Control Panel and its touch friendly counterpart, PC Settings. Instead of the Start menu, there was the Start screen. These changes were not welcomed by many users.

As of this writing, Windows 8 and 8.1 versions of the OS have less than 6% of market share.

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Author: Sergey Tkachenko

Sergey Tkachenko is a software developer who started Winaero back in 2011. On this blog, Sergey is writing about everything connected to Microsoft, Windows and popular software. Follow him on Telegram, Twitter, and YouTube.

5 thoughts on “Mainstream support for Windows 8.1 has ended”

  1. Makes no difference to me. I am still using Windows 8 and 8(not 8.1) and I will carry on using it. Because I will NEVER upgrade to Windows 10. There is nothing positive about 10, the more I see of it the less I like it and don’t want it on my PC.

    1. Well, I still have a PC running 8.1.
      With a couple newer devices, I am forced to switch to Windows 10.
      And yes, I’ve watched your YouTube videos and saw that you are using both XP and 7.

  2. Well, this is a bummer. I’m right now using Windows 8.1 as I am typing. I actually loved Windows 8.0 and the Update 1 made it somewhat better. Windows 10 is much worse. And yes, I am in the so-called Windows Insider Program since its initial launch for at least three years ago. With every new build, it’s just getting more and more bloated with more and more useless features (Fluent Design and Sets are some of the exceptions). I really hated Start ever since it was replaced in the 2nd Technical Preview with the “Continuum” features. When the new Start Menu first appeared in the very first build with windowed UWP “apps” (6.4.9841), Microsoft should have created a Windows 8.2 or something similar at that time.

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