Windows 8.1 End of Support is Here (January 2023)

Windows 8 went out of support on January 12, 2016 and no longer receives security updates. Therefore, if you're using Microsoft 365 on a computer running Windows 8 and are configured for automatic updates, you'll no longer receive updates for the Office apps, including feature, security, and other quality updates.

For people using Windows 8.1 in a business environment, Microsoft have said that the three additional years of paid support they offered for Windows 7 will not be available for Windows 8.1. This means that extended support will end for everybody on January 10th 2023. ^

As a reminder, Windows 8.1 will reach end of support on January 10, 2023, at which point technical assistance and software updates will no longer be provided. If you have devices running Windows 8.1, I recommend upgrading them to a more current, in-service, and supported Windows release. If devices do not meet the technical requirements to run a more current release of Windows, we recommend that you replace the device with one that supports Windows 11.

Latest Windows version

Windows 11 is Microsoft’s newest operating system, with the first version released in October 2021. Windows 11 is currently free to download for Windows 8.1 users, but there is a catch. Not all computers are eligible for Windows 11 – there are certain specifications required to make the upgrade.

Windows 11 minimum system requirements:

- Processors/CPUs: x64 CPU with 1 Ghz or faster with at least 2 cores (2 Ghz is needed to be able to run it smoothly)

- RAM: 4 GB

- Storage: 64 GB (HDD is not recommended due to it's slow speed)

- System Firmware: UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, a modern version of the PC BIOS) and Secure Boot capable.

- TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0.

- Graphics Card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver.

- Display: High definition (720p) display that is greater than 9” diagonally, 8 bits per color channel.

- Note: Windows 11 Home edition requires internet connectivity and a Microsoft Account to complete device setup on first use.

Thank you for reading, have a nice day!

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