Now Windows 8.1 is displaying full end of life warnings
Full-screen popups are beginning to warn Windows 8.1 users that its end of life is approaching
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Windows 8.1is set to reach end of life on January 10 2023, and the company is beginning to ramp up its operation to switch users over to its latest OS,Windows 11.
Now, when logging into theoperating system,Windows 8.1 will display a full-screen alert to notify users that security updates will cease at the beginning of next year.
The notification reads: “January 10, 2023 is the last dayMicrosoftwill offer security updates and technical support for PCs that run Windows 8.1. We are reaching out now to thank you for your loyalty and help you prepare for what’s next.”
Windows 8.1 End of Service
A ‘Learn More’ link directs users to the Microsoft website, but users can delay the notification for 35 days by clicking ‘Remind me later,’ or until January 2023 with the ‘Remind me after the end of support date’ button.
The update was introduced on July 12, 2022 as part of the KB5015874 cumulative update. The popup runs with the newly introduced EOSnotify.exe program which appears at each login, and a secondary EOSnotify2 program set to notify users once daily.
Business users running Pro and Enterprise devices will not receive the notification.
Best free office software available this year>Microsoft 365 patches for Windows 7 to end in 2023>Goodbye, Internet Explorer. Thanks for the memories (and the malware)
All Windows 8.1 users can also stop the popup by configuring a DiscontinueEOS value, however the warnings are designed to be obstructive by default because running a dated OS with no security updates can be risky.
Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!
This news follows the company confirming that it will end security patches for Microsoft 365 onWindows 7and Windows 8.1 devices, as well as blocking any new installations of the Office apps on old systems. Windows 8 was launched late in 2012, with the 8.1 major update following one year later, meaning the OS will have run for around a decade before it gets axed entirely.
With several years’ experience freelancing in tech and automotive circles, Craig’s specific interests lie in technology that is designed to better our lives, including AI and ML, productivity aids, and smart fitness. He is also passionate about cars and the decarbonisation of personal transportation. As an avid bargain-hunter, you can be sure that any deal Craig finds is top value!
7 myths about email security everyone should stop believing
Best Usenet client of 2024
Black Friday is three weeks away - here are 18 deals at Amazon you can shop today
