On January 10, 2023, Microsoft will end support for the Windows 8.1 operating system (OS), after which the software will no longer be updated. This is stated in the message on the company’s website.
“On January 10, 2023, support for Windows 8.1 will end, at which point technical assistance and software updates will no longer be available,” Microsoft Support said.
In addition, Microsoft will no longer offer the Extended Security Update (ESU) program for Windows 8.1. The company warned about security risks in the event of continued use of an outdated OS.
Microsoft has advised users to upgrade their devices to a more recent version of Windows, or to change devices if they cannot update software.
Against the backdrop of the start of Russia’s special operation in Ukraine, Microsoft decided to suspend the sale of new products and the provision of services in the Russian Federation. On June 19, 2022, Microsoft limited the ability for Russian users to install Windows 10 and Windows 11. Since the end of September, Russians have also been unable to update the OS.
However, at the end of December last year, Izvestia noticed that Russian users could again install Windows 10 and 11. In a conversation with the newspaper, IT expert Dmitry Bevza suggested that in this way the corporation adjusted its policy towards Russian users who had previously already bought Windows.