0

From this link:

Users Have Two Years to Upgrade to Windows® 8.1

Microsoft Windows® 8.1 was released October 18th for all Windows® 8 users. ... The lifecycle of this software update, known as Windows® Blue, will be the same as Windows® 8. General support will end January 1st, 2018, with extended support for necessary updates to last an additional 5 years.

Customers have two years to upgrade to Windows® 8.1. After that time, the upgrade will be removed from the Windows Store, and Windows® 8 will not be supported or have access to future updates. So, it is recommended to follow the guidelines set by Microsoft® and update software as it is released.

Is the second paragraph correct, which makes the upgrade essentially mandatory?

Improve this question
3
  • 1
    Do you have the links that support these claims? I find it hard to believe this because people still get normal and security updates for Windows 7, let alone Windows 8. Windows 7 is far older than 8 so I find it hard to believe the updates part of your question. Windows 8.1 is kind of an "SP1" for Windows 8 but it doesn't pull in so many of the updates that a Service Pack generally would; it installs additional features such as the return of the "Start" button...
    – Kinnectus
    Mar 6, 2015 at 12:12
  • 2
    Why would anyone not want to update to 8.1? The update is free and 8.1 has a number of improvements compared to 8.0.
    – Jesper
    Mar 6, 2015 at 12:26
  • classicstart8.com/detail/… here's a link
    – remas sido
    Mar 6, 2015 at 12:29

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
1

No, no need to drive crazy: according to Windows lifecycle fact sheet end of support of Windows 8 is at January 10, 2023.

Otherwise, why not update to 8.1:

Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1 build on Windows 8 and Windows RT, to bring you enhancements in personalization, search, apps, the Windows Store, and cloud connectivity, and has the security and reliability features you expect from Windows. It's fast and made to work on a variety of devices—especially on the new generation of touch devices.

If your PC is currently running Windows 8 or Windows RT, it's free to update to Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1. And unlike previous updates to Windows, you'll get this update from the Windows Store.

Surely you need to check the system requirements first.

Improve this answer
1
  • nope, he read it correctly, you are wrong about the updates
    – magicandre1981
    Mar 7, 2015 at 6:11
1

Yes, you must upgrade to Windows 8.1 to get new security updates.

Windows 8 customers will have two years to move to Windows 8.1 after the General Availability of the Windows 8.1 update to continue to remain supported under Windows 8 lifecycle.

The following FAQ shows that you have time until 16th January 2016 to update to Windows 8.1 to still receive Updates:

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.

This is the same like in Windows 7 where you have to install the Sp1 to still receive Updates until 2020.

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.

Improve this answer
0

I think you misunderstood what you read in that link. The link is not from Microsoft, but from a 3rd party software firm.

Windows 8 itself will still be supported by Microsoft (see the answer of duDE), but the app/program "Classicstart8" will drop support for Windows 8 in two years.

Improve this answer
3
  • Absolutely right, +1 !
    – Leo Chapiro
    Mar 6, 2015 at 14:46
  • you're welcome, @remassido. Feel free to mark an answer as accepted, when your question is answered to your satisfaction.
    – BrokenPhysics
    Mar 6, 2015 at 15:32
  • nope, he read it correctly, you are wrong.
    – magicandre1981
    Mar 7, 2015 at 6:11

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .