When Is Windows 8 End of Life?

Microsoft will implement Windows 8 end-of-life in January 2023, meaning it will discontinue all support, including paid support, and all updates, including security updates.

Extended Support

Between now and 2023, Windows 8 is in an in-between phase known as "extended support." During this phase, Microsoft is still offering paid support—though not the complimentary support that comes with the Windows 8 license—and providing security updates, but not design and feature updates.

What Does 'End of Life' Mean?

"End of life" is when an application is no longer supported by the company that makes it. After Windows 8 end of life, you may continue to use the operating system (OS), but you would be doing so at your own risk. New computer viruses and other malware are being developed all the time and, without the security updates to fight them off, your data and your system would be vulnerable.

Why Is Windows 8 Support Ending?

The Windows 8 end of life cycle is similar to that of previous Microsoft operating systems. Microsoft states:

"Every Windows product has a lifecycle. The lifecycle begins when a product is released and ends when it's no longer supported. Knowing key dates in this lifecycle helps you make informed decisions about when to update, upgrade, or make other changes to your software."

Upgrading to Windows 10

Eventually, you’ll upgrade to Windows 10 but whether you do it now or later is up to you. Consider that the sooner you do it, the sooner you can start enjoying the benefits of the new OS.

For example, Windows 10 (released in 2015) supports apps that behave the same across different devices. It also features the personalized digital assistant Cortana.

The Windows 10 downloading process is straightforward for intermediate to advanced computer users. Others may want to enlist a computer-savvy friend's help.