14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 8.1 will debut on Friday, so Microsoft has finally decided to provide users with more information on the support lifecycle of the new operating system.
It turns out that Redmond will continue to provide mainstream support for Windows 8.1, which includes security updates, non-security hotfixes and many other patches, until January 9, 2018. By that time, several new Windows versions are supposed to be released, so the company expects users to make the move to a newer edition.
Extended support will end on January 10, 2023, which is the date when everybody should completely step away from Windows 8.1 and switch to a newer Windows version, such as Windows 10 or whatever comes next after the upcoming releases.
As you probably know, Windows 8.1 will see daylight in just a couple of days, with the update to be offered free of charge to Windows 8 adopters via the Windows Store.