Today Marks the End of Support for Windows 8 (Not 8.1)

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Josh Condie - The title above can be a little deceiving.  What this really means, is that it is time to move to Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 ASAP.   As Microsoft will no longer be releasing security updates and patches for Windows 8.  This is all in addition to the EOS for Internet Explorer 8, 9 and 10 that my friend Garrett detailed the other day here:  https://blogs.technet.com/b/uspartner_ts2team/archive/2016/01/07/internet-explorer-8-9-10-end-of-life-approaching-are-your-customers-ready.aspx

Please pay close attention to the FAQ below and know that you can always check the lifecycle of any Microsoft Product here:  https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle 

Windows 8.1 Support Lifecycle Policy FAQ

What is the support lifecycle policy for Windows 8.1?

  1. Windows 8.1 falls under the same lifecycle policy as Windows 8, and will reach end of Mainstream Support on January 9, 2018, and end of Extended Support on January 10, 2023. With the General Availability of Windows 8.1, customers on Windows 8 have 2 years, until January 12, 2016, to move to Windows 8.1 in order to remain supported.

  2. Why are you requiring Windows 8 customers move to Windows 8.1 two years after the General Availability?

    Historically, we’ve had a similar support approach related to Windows service packs; when a Windows service pack is released, Microsoft provides customers 24 months of support for the prior service pack or original RTM version. Unlike service packs that are typically just a collection of fixes, Windows 8.1 has new features and enhancements. We designed Windows 8.1 to give customers an ability to deploy this update in a manner that is similar to how customers deploy service packs, therefore we are applying the existing service pack support policy to Windows 8.1.

    Windows 8.1 does not change any hardware requirements compared with Windows 8 or Windows 7 and existing Windows Store apps will work with Windows 8.1. The update has little to no impact on existing desktop apps and there is no direct software cost because enterprise customers with Software Assurance licensing will receive Windows 8.1 as a free update. For organizations running legacy applications that need to be upgraded, there are tools to manage deployment in order to help mitigate cost and impact.

  3. What is the lifecycle policy for Windows Embedded 8.1 products?

    Windows Embedded 8.1 falls under the same lifecycle policy as Windows Embedded 8 with support ending 7/11/2023. Customers have 24 months to move to the 8.1 version in order to remain supported. This applies to Windows Embedded 8 Industry Enterprise and Industry Pro.

  4. What is Windows 8.1 Update? How does it impact the Windows 8 support lifecycle?

    Windows 8.1 Update is a cumulative update for Windows 8.1. In addition to previous Windows 8.1 updates, it includes enhancements such as improved IE 11 compatibility for enterprise applications, usability improvements, extended mobile device management and improved hardware support.

    For more information on Windows 8.1 Update, please visit the What’s new in Windows 8.1 Update and Windows RT 8.1 Update article. For information on deploying, please visit the Windows Springboard Series blog.