All services, big and small, come to an end someday, and Windows is no different. In fact, Microsoft deliberately cuts updates for their operating systems after a set period of time. With a majority of Windows users on Windows 10 and 11, can you still use Windows 8/8.1? If so, should you?
Let’s explore when Windows 8 and 8.1 will run out of time, and if you should use them after that date. And for those who are seeing the writing on the wall, we have covered the available options for you if you want to upgrade to Windows 10 or even the latest Windows 11.
Content
- When Will Windows 8 and 8.1 Lose Support?
- Can You Still Use Windows 8 or 8.1 After that Date?
- Should You Still Use Windows 8 or 8.1 After that Date?
- Should You Upgrade to Windows 10 Before 2023?
- Can You Upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 8/8.1?
- Can I Update My Windows 8 Device to Windows 8.1 for Free?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is Still Using Windows 8 and Windows 8.1?
According to StatCounter’s operating system market share figures for January-February 2022, Windows 8.1 is currently being used by 2.93 percent of global desktop users which is a decline from 3.46 last July. For Windows 8, the figure stands at only 0.69 percent, a decline from 1.24 percent. Both are decisively low compared to Windows 7, which still enjoys a steadily declining but healthy 11.92 percent market share.
When Will Windows 8 and 8.1 Lose Support?
If you’re using Windows 8 or 8.1, you’re already past the mainstream support end date. For Windows 8.1, that happened on January 9, 2018. Windows 8 reached the end of life on January 12, 2016. However, this isn’t something to panic about; the end of mainstream support just means the operating system won’t receive any new fancy features.
Windows 8.1 still enjoys security updates, but that will end on the 10th of January, 2023. That date will mark the end of extended support, which means security updates, bug fixes, and paid support. Windows 8, however, is already redundant from the perspective of getting any new security updates.
If the security isn’t there, similar to Windows 7 or Windows XP, you may not be able to run some Windows 8.1 applications smoothly after the cutoff date has passed. However, that does not mean you cannot use it anymore.
Can You Still Use Windows 8 or 8.1 After that Date?
Yes! When the 10th of January, 2023, comes around, all it means is that Microsoft will no longer fix any security flaws that appear. It’s not a self-destruct date for Windows 8 or 8.1; it will still work fine. However, you should at least upgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1, which we cover later.
Some of the popular features of Windows 8, such as “Tablet mode,” are being discontinued from Windows 11 onwards. It will be similar to Internet Explorer, which is no longer supported by Windows and has been removed as a standalone program starting with Windows 11. For those who are accustomed to the Windows 8/8.1 apps, it will be hard to let them go. The good news is you can continue to use a deprecated version of those features on Windows 8/8.1.
Should You Still Use Windows 8 or 8.1 After that Date?
The pressing question isn’t so much “if” you can use Windows 8 or 8.1 past that date as it is “should” you. With no more security updates, continuing to use Windows 8 or 8.1 could be risky.
The biggest problem you’ll find is the development and discovery of security flaws in the operating system. Since Microsoft will no longer patch them, it’s a persistent hole in your system’s defenses.
However, that’s not to say that Windows 8.1 will suddenly fall apart once the deadline comes around. In fact, quite a few users are still sticking to Windows 7, and that operating system lost all support back in January 2020.
As it turns out, losing support does not immediately mean the operating system is a sitting duck in the cybersecurity world.
By deploying a solid antivirus, maintaining a good firewall, and staying safe while online, you can continue using an old operating system. In fact, these are all points we covered in our guide to securing Windows 7 past its support deadline.
Should You Upgrade to Windows 10 Before 2023?
If you want to continue to use Windows 8 or 8.1, you can – it’s still very much a safe operating system to use. However, for those looking to upgrade to Windows 10, a few options are still available.
It is well known that Microsoft’s free online upgrade offer from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 ended back in 2016, but there are still ways for you to migrate from Windows 8.1 to the latest version of Windows 10.
For one, you can download what is known as a Windows 10 media creation tool and run an “in place” upgrade. If instead you prefer a “clean installation,” all your files and applications will be deleted. We have an extensive tutorial on how to use the Windows 10 media creation tool showing all detailed steps.
Given this tool’s migration capability, it looks like Windows 8/8.1 to Windows 10 migration will be supported at least until January 2023 – but it’s no longer free. You need to at least purchase a valid license of Windows 10 for activation.
Some users claimed that they are still able to get the free upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 8.1. We cannot verify these claims. You can try it out and see if you can get the upgrade for free. If not, you will have to buy the Windows 10 license online.
Can You Upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 8/8.1?
While migrating to Windows 10 from Windows 7/8/8.1 is entirely doable, the Windows 11 part gets a bit tricky. There are new hardware and software requirements, and it may not be very easy to fulfill the compatibility needs.
One of the major requirements is Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2 readiness, which is only possible with device hardware manufactured in the last four to five years. On older Windows devices, if you look under “Windows Security,” you will see the TPM specification as “not ready,” which means these devices cannot be upgraded to Windows 11.
Another way you can verify it on your Windows 8/8.1 device is by typing tpm.msc on the Run menu to see whether the TPM is ready to use. You will more than likely receive the following status message: “Compatible TPM cannot be found.”
The other hardware requirements include WDDM 2.0 and above in graphics card compatibility, virtualization-based security (VBS) support, Full HD screen resolution (1080p), HDR video support and more.
Even if your Windows 8/8.1 device somehow fulfills these requirements, you cannot upgrade directly to Windows 11 from Windows 8/8.1 without first migrating to Windows 10. Once you are on Windows 10, it’s free to upgrade to Windows 11.
Windows 10 will enjoy full support until October 14, 2025, so even if your Windows 8/8.1 device is not compatible with Windows 11, you should still upgrade it to Windows 10.
Can I Update My Windows 8 Device to Windows 8.1 for Free?
Yes, you can. And it’s highly recommended to do so, as Windows 8 has already reached its end of support. The good thing is that the free upgrade option works absolutely fine. If you have a validly-purchased Windows 8 copy, why not at least move it one notch up? Windows 8.1 end of life still has the path to help you migrate to Windows 10 should you finally adopt it.
- To proceed with the Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 upgrade, visit the Windows 8.1 ISO download page. Select the Windows 8.1 edition you want and hit the “Confirm” button.
- Choose your product language and whether you want a 64-bit or 32-bit download for Windows 8.1. A unique download link will be generated, which will be valid for 24 hours only. Click on it on your browser to download the Windows 8.1 ISO file as shown here.
Once the ISO file is downloaded, you will have to proceed with a clean installation of Windows 8.1, which has been properly discussed above.
The steps for Windows 10 and Windows 11 clean installation work the same on Windows 8.1. Back up your files, plug in your laptop and turn off any antivirus program to finish the update. Furthermore, If you are installing Windows 8.1 for the first time, you need access to the Internet during the installation, a blank USB flash drive with at least 4 GB space, and your Windows 8 product key.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I find the product key for Windows 8 or Windows 8.1?
You can find your 25-character code Windows product key depending on how you acquired your Windows copy. If you bought a physical copy of Windows 8/8.1, it should be on a label or card inside the box where Windows 8.1 was shipped. If your PC or laptop came preinstalled with Windows 8/8.1, the product key is visible on a sticker on the device. Look for it at the base of your Windows 8 laptop or any other spot where the manufacturer has pasted a sticker.
If you’ve lost it or can’t find it anymore, one of the easiest ways to get your Windows 8/8.1 product key back is to start the Command prompt in Administrator mode and type the following:
wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey
When you hit the Enter button, the Command prompt will display the entire alphanumeric product key.
2. How do I check if an old program is compatible with Windows 10?
If your main concern about moving away from Windows 8/8.1 is that a favorite program may not be compatible with Windows 10, there is a compatibility mode that allows you to run old Windows programs in Windows 10.
Run a Program Compatibility Troubleshooter accessed from “Settings -> Update & Security -> Troubleshoot” and select “Additional Troubleshooters.” This will resolve any issues that are preventing the old Windows 8/8.1 programs from running smoothly on a new Windows 10 device.
Sayak Boral
Sayak Boral is a technology writer with over eleven years of experience working in different industries including semiconductors, IoT, enterprise IT, telecommunications OSS/BSS, and network security. He has been writing for MakeTechEasier on a wide range of technical topics including Windows, Android, Internet, Hardware Guides, Browsers, Software Tools, and Product Reviews.
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FAQs
Is Windows 8.1 still good to use? ›
As a reminder, Windows 8.1 has reached end of support on January 10, 2023. At this point technical assistance and software updates will no longer be provided. If you have devices running Windows 8.1, we recommend upgrading them to a more current, in-service, and supported Windows release.
What is Windows 8.1 vs 8? ›Windows 8 is mainly for the devices having a touch capability, but Windows 8.1 provides new features for the devices that do not have touch capability. Miracast streaming is also available in Windows 8.1 that is not available in Windows 8. Windows 8.1 supports 3-D painting while it is not supported by Windows 8.
Is Windows 8.1 better than others? ›Windows 8.1 actually did a fair amount of spadework for business users. Features such as Secure Boot, Windows To Go (giving you a bootable desktop from a USB stick), and Hyper-V virtualisation of guest OSes were features that were overshadowed by the focus on touchscreen devices.
Is Windows 8 success or failure? ›Windows 8's failure was a result of an amalgamation of design and usability issues. From the badly designed UI to the unjustified removal of staple features like the Start Button, Microsoft dropped the ball hard with its 2012 OS.
Is Windows 8 still popular? ›As of January 2023, 2.59% of traditional PCs running Windows are running Windows 8.1, making it the 4th most popular Windows version used since Windows 11 surpassed it.
What are the advantages of Windows 8? ›Windows 8 gives PC users a whole new world of full-screen, touch-friendly, Web-connected apps to explore. And these new apps can even display relevant information on their Windows Start screen tiles, something impossible in Windows 7 or just about any other operating system around, save Windows Phone.
When did they stop using Windows 8? ›Support for Windows 8 ended on January 12, 2016, and support for Windows 8.1 has ended on January 10, 2023. Learn more.
What is the difference between upgrading to Windows 8.1 from Windows 7 and Windows 8? ›The only major difference (leaving aside features) between Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 is that Windows 7 wasn't a free update to Vista users and Windows 8.1 is absolutely free to all Windows 8 users.
What is the problem with Windows 8? ›Many of the initial problems facing Windows 8 can be fixed, making your experience on the OS much smoother and less stressful. The main problem reported by users of the OS is the missing start menu. Obviously an integral part to using the software this problem was initially surrounded by rumors.
Is Windows 8 a security risk? ›10, and your PC will absolutely be at risk. “Microsoft will not be offering an Extended Security Update (ESU) program for Windows 8.1,” Microsoft says. “Continuing to use Windows 8.1 after January 10, 2023 may increase an organization's exposure to security risks or impact its ability to meet compliance obligations.”
What are the pros and cons of Windows 8? ›
- Pros :
- Very light compared to windows 10 and windows 11.
- Has a interface similar to windows 7.
- Runs very well on old and low end PC's.
- Cons:
- 1.It is a bit complicated to use than compared to other versions of windows.
- It's support is going to end very soon.
You can download this update here if you don't have it installed. While the free upgrade to Windows 10 offer has ended, it's possible to activate the operating system with a Windows 8.1 product key. It's important to note that Microsoft plans to end the support of Windows 10 on October 14, 2025.
Is Windows 8.1 free now? ›Windows 8.1 is a free update for Windows 8 tablets and PCs. It includes a number of new features and design elements that will make Windows 8 easier to use. We'd like to offer you a brief overview of Windows 8.1 and try to answer some questions you may have at this time.
Why should I upgrade from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10? ›Microsoft is ending extended support for Windows 8.1 on January 10, 2023. That means those of you still running the old operating system after that time will no longer be able to get security fixes, technical support, and other types of updates or assistance. For that, you will need to install Windows 10 or 11.
What are the two most important features of Windows 8? ›Windows 8 features a redesigned user interface built upon the Metro design language, with optimizations for touchscreens. Metro-style apps can either run in a full-screen environment, or be snapped to the side of a screen alongside another app or the desktop; snapping requires a screen resolution of 1366×768 or higher.
What is the best feature of Windows 8? ›One great thing about Windows 8 is that you can literally pin all your most used programs on the Start Menu. Unlike the previous versions of Windows, your programs are conveniently laid down from the screen. Microsoft also developed a way in which your icons can be live and active.
Is it good to update Windows 8? ›Support for Windows 8.1 ended on January 10, 2023. We recommend you move to a Windows 11 PC to continue to receive security updates from Microsoft. Windows 8 has reached end of support, which means Windows 8 devices no longer receive important security updates.
Will Windows 8 be back? ›Microsoft Edge version 110 requires Windows 10 or higher. As a reminder, Windows 8.1 will reach the end of support on January 10, 2023. After this date, this product will no longer receive security updates, non-security updates, bug fixes, technical support, or online technical content updates.
What happens when Windows 8.1 license expires? ›The basic functions can work as normal after Windows 8.1 license is expired. However, you won't be able to customize the settings on your PC. The desktop background will turn to black. The screen resolution and brightness, as well as theme will return back to the default settings.
Why did they skip Windows 8? ›They just skipped Windows 9. Microsoft simply decided not to name their Windows 8 successor as Windows 9 but went with Windows 10 instead, which was originally code-named Threshold. So don't worry, you didn't miss a major version of Windows.
Can I upgrade my Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 for free 2022? ›
About this update
This update lets you start an immediate free upgrade to Windows 10 during the Windows 8.1 OOBE process.
The conclusion is that Windows 8.1 in its x64 edition is basically consuming as much memory as the 32-bit version of Windows 7 and running smoother with fewer processes running. Windows 7 64-bit is consuming some 100 megabytes+ compared to Windows 7 32-bit.
How much RAM does Windows 8.1 use? ›Windows 8.1 system requirements
1GHz (gigahertz) processor or faster. Your processor will either be 32 bits or 64 bits, and 64-bit processors will have stricter hardware requirements (see below). 1GB (gigabyte) RAM (32-bit) or 2GB RAM (64-bit). 16GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20GB (64-bit).
Microsoft is ending extended support for Windows 8.1 on January 10, 2023. That means those of you still running the old operating system after that time will no longer be able to get security fixes, technical support, and other types of updates or assistance. For that, you will need to install Windows 10 or 11.
Is Windows 8.1 faster than Windows 10 in low end PC? ›Windows 10 has been developed in a way it is much faster than Windows 8.1 provided your system specifications meet the requirements. If you are experiencing slow performance issues in Windows 10, I would suggest you to try the following methods and check if they are helpful.
Can Windows 8.1 be upgraded to 10? ›An upgrade moves your PC from a previous version of Windows—such as Windows 7 or Windows 8.1—to Windows 10. An upgrade can take place on your existing device, though Microsoft recommends using Windows 10 on a new PC to take advantage of the latest features and security improvements.
How much RAM does Windows 8.1 need to run smoothly? ›Windows 8.1 system requirements
1GHz (gigahertz) processor or faster. Your processor will either be 32 bits or 64 bits, and 64-bit processors will have stricter hardware requirements (see below). 1GB (gigabyte) RAM (32-bit) or 2GB RAM (64-bit). 16GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20GB (64-bit).
Microsoft originally sunset Windows 8 support in 2016, but the Windows 8.1 update will cease support fully in January 2023.
Does updating Windows 8.1 Delete everything? ›Before You Do
If you do a clean installation for the upgrade, it will remove everything on the system drive. If you do an in-place Windows 8.1 upgrade to Windows 10, you should lose nothing. But the upgrade is a big and time-consuming process, things can go wrong.
As you can guess, it is very much possible to still upgrade and get Windows 10 for free in 2022. You just need to follow our methods covered above -- from using your existing Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 product key or even getting a license through work or school at no cost.
Can you legally get Windows 10 for free? ›
If you are still on Windows 7 or 8, you can upgrade to Windows 10 for free. Whether you're going from 7 / 8 to 10 or 10 to 11, you can upgrade either by using an install disk (created with the media creation tool) or with Windows update.
Will Windows 10 be free forever? ›The free upgrades will continue into 2022. If you're still running Windows 7 but want to upgrade to Windows 11, you'll first need to upgrade to Windows 10 to be eligible.
Is Windows 8.1 32 bit or 64 bit better? ›The biggest difference between 32-bit and 64-bit OSes is that the 32-bit version can only address a bit less than 4GB of memory, in total, for the entire system, and this includes the memory in your video card. For Windows it's usually about 3.5GB total.
Which Windows operating system is fastest? ›With the exception of Windows 11, which slightly edges it out, Windows 10 is the fastest Windows OS/operating system to date and is still a great choice for almost every user.
What is the best Windows version for low end PC? ›Tiny10 is a stripped-down version of Windows 10, and it has been developed by a developer named NTDEV. We know how bloated Windows has become at this point, so this project aims to remove all the unnecessary components. That means you can run Windows 10 smoothly, even on low-end hardware.
Is Windows 8.1 upgrade free? ›The Store is no longer open for Windows 8, so you'll need to download Windows 8.1 as a free update. Go to the Windows 8.1 download page and select your Windows edition. Select Confirm and follow the remaining prompts to begin the download.
Can you upgrade a 10 year old computer to Windows 10? ›Older computers are unlikely to be able to run any 64-bit operating system. While some pre-2007 models have 64-bit hardware, most are 32-bit. As such, computers from this time that you plan to install Windows 10 on will be limited to the 32-bit version.
How to update Windows 8.1 to Windows 11 for free? ›To check if Windows 11 is ready for your device, go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and select Check for updates. If the upgrade is available for your device and you want to proceed, download and install it.