The end of Windows 8.1 is approaching. That’s why users of the system will receive warnings about this from next month.
That warnings appear in the form of notifications. In it you can read that support for Windows 8.1 will end from January 2022 and you will therefore have to arrange something else.
In 2016, Microsoft already pulled the plug on support for Windows 8. This time, the company does not offer an option to pay for additional security updates, through the Extended Security Update program.
Windows 8.1 wave goodbye
If you are still using Windows 8.1 after January 2022, please note that you do not have to rely on support from Microsoft. Whatever happens at that moment.
What can you do now? You can see if your PC is eligible for an upgrade to a new version for Windows. But Microsoft also admits that the chance is very small.
However, you can try to install Windows 10 on the system, if the computer can handle it. If that doesn’t work, there’s nothing else to do: you’ll have to invest in new hardware.
If you want to try Windows 10, keep in mind that this system does not last long either. The support will disappear as of October 14, 2025.