Windows 8.1 support is over, what's next?

Windows 8.1 from Microsoft is the first update to the Windows 8 operating system and was released in 2013. Unlike previous versions, which were service packs, Windows 8.1 was the first update available in the Windows Store. However, support for Windows 8.1 is currently ending. Join us for a look at what this means for users who use the system and what options they have.

Microsoft has announced the official end of support for the Windows 8.1 operating system as of January 10, 2023. Users running Windows 8.1 can tell when support is ending by a pop-up that alerts them to the end of support. This means that Microsoft will no longer provide technical support, software updates or security patches for Windows 8.1.

Although you can continue to use your computer with this operating system, you are at increased risk of infection from viruses or malware. We therefore recommend that you upgrade to a newer version of Windows that is still supported by Microsoft.

Consideration should be given to upgrading to Windows 10, which ends support on 14 October 2025, or optimally to Windows 11, which currently has no specified end date.

Newer versions of Windows

Windows 10

Microsoft offers the Windows 10 operating system in several versions:

Home, which is suitable for households, end consumers and businesses. This version primarily serves users who do not need advanced features.
Pro, which offers the same features as the Home version, plus privacy, security and management features. The Pro version is suitable for both commercial customers and organisations.
Enterprise, , which is designed for critical elements of an organisation's IT infrastructure. This version offers advanced features for data management and protection.

For more information on Windows 10 versions, see our previous article.

Windows 11

The latest version of the operating system is Windows 11, released on 5 October 2021, although the previous version, Windows 10, was already billed by Microsoft as the last. Windows 11 was released in two versions, namely:

Home, suitable for home users and small businesses that don't need more advanced features such as Windows Remote Desktop.
Pro, suitable for larger organisations or businesses.
Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 Upgrade, which is designed for critical elements of an organization's IT infrastructure.

Česká spořitelna is also reacting to the ending support for Windows 8.1.

With the end of support for Windows 8.1 comes changes to some electronic services. The latest change has been announced by Česká spořitelna and its internet banking service George, which has decided to discontinue support for older versions of the Windows operating system, namely Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1.

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