This browser is no longer supported.
Upgrade to Microsoft Edge to take advantage of the latest features, security updates, and technical support.
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(128, 8%, 22%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EA%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
As of 10 January, 2023, support for Windows 8.1 has come to an end.
If you have any devices running Windows 8.1 it is now vulnerable to viruses and malware due to:
-No new security updates
-No new software updates
-No technical support of any issue
Microsoft Store:
Microsoft Store apps & games are no longer available for new downloads and in-app purchases can no longer be made.
Existing apps and games will continue to receive publisher updates through 30 June, 2023.
Microsoft Edge:
Support for Microsoft Edge on Windows 8.1 ended on 7 February, 2023.
Microsoft Edge 109 was the last version to support Windows 8.1 and Windows 7.
Internet Explorer:
Support for Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 8.1 ended on 10 January, 2023.
If you decide to upgrade to Windows 10, import your browser data to Microsoft Edge before updating Microsoft Edge.
Microsoft Office:
Support for Office and Microsoft 365 for Windows 8.1 ended on 10 January, 2023.
Extended Security Update (ESU):
Microsoft will not be offering Windows 8.1 an extended security update (ESU) program for Windows 8.1.
Continuing to use Windows 8.1 will impact your organisation computer security.
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
I know that they will still function, but after a few patch Tuesday updates missing (including the one that gets rid of that nasty ransomware,) it could leave your system vulnerable.
In fact, it's actually safer to use Windows 8.1 after end of support, as you get a security update right as it ends support.
But now it is missing out on the AXLocker I think it's called fix.
With end of support Microsoft is not telling you that your operating systems won't work.
What they are saying is that after a certain date they will no longer support them.
Whether they still work or not with particular programs is up to the particular program manufacturers.
Example: Google Chrome is no longer supported for security updates in XP or Vista by Google and Mozilla Firefox is following the same path.
What this basically means with Microsoft no longer supporting an operating system is that even though hackers may find "holes" and vulnerabilities to be able to access the operating systems and cause security problems, Microsoft will no longer be monitoring or rectifying those problems by way of Security Updates each month.
You are on your own in regards to maintaining the Security of your operating systems.
What does it mean if Windows isn't supported?
____________________________________________________
This will show you when support (Mainstream and Extended Support) for the various operating systems ends.
Windows lifecycle fact sheet - Windows Help - Microsoft Support
And these FAQs show you how Microsoft arrived at the Support Lifecycle Policy:
Microsoft Lifecycle Policy FAQ
https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/help/17140/lifecycle-faq-general-policy-questions
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Questions about End of Support of Windows 8.1 answered by Microsoft:
Windows 8.1 support ended on January 10, 2023 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-8-1-support-ended-on-january-10-2023-3cfd4cde-f611-496a-8057-923fba401e93
