{"id":754,"date":"2023-04-30T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-30T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/boydtechsolutions.com\/wordpress\/?p=754"},"modified":"2023-04-12T03:28:20","modified_gmt":"2023-04-12T03:28:20","slug":"windows-8-1-just-lost-all-support-heres-what-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/boydtechsolutions.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2023\/04\/30\/windows-8-1-just-lost-all-support-heres-what-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Windows 8.1 Just Lost All Support. Here’s What You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Companies both large and small share this one cybersecurity problem. They have computers that are still running older operating systems. Staff might use these devices only occasionally. Or the company may be running customized software that won\u2019t run on newer OS versions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem is that when the OS becomes outdated, the system is open to cyberattacks. When Microsoft or another developer retires an OS, it means that it is no longer supported. No more feature updates and no more security patches for newly found vulnerabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The latest operating system to lose all support is Windows 8.1. Microsoft released the OS in 2013, and it was officially retired on January 10, 2023<\/a>. Microsoft issued the following warning for companies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cContinuing to use Windows 8.1 after January 10, 2023 may increase an organization\u2019s exposure to security risks or impact its ability to meet compliance obligations.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are a few facts you should know about what this retirement of Windows 8.1 means.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The OS Will Still Technically Work<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When an operating system reaches its end of life, it doesn\u2019t just stop working. Thus, many companies go on using it without realizing the security risk. Technically, the OS will work as it did the day before retirement. But it\u2019s a lot less safe due to the loss of support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your System Will No Longer Receive Security Patches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Software and OS vulnerabilities are sought out and exploited all the time. This is what hackers do for a living. The vulnerability cycle usually begins with hackers finding a software \u201cloophole.\u201d They then write code to exploit it that allows them some type of system access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The software developer learns of this, usually once hackers start breaching systems. They write code to fix that vulnerability. Developers then send the fix to users via an update that they install. This protects the device from one or more hacker exploits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When an OS reaches its end of life, these fixes are no longer made. The developer has moved on to focus on its newer products. So, the vulnerability remains. It leaves a device vulnerable to hacks for days, months, or years afterward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Approximately 61% of <\/a>security vulnerabilities in corporate networks are over five years old.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Options for Upgrading<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have a computer that is still running Windows 8.1, you have two options for upgrading. You can opt for Windows 10 or Windows 11. If the computer is running such an old OS, there is a chance your system may not meet the requirements for one or both. In this case, you may need to buy a new device altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Microsoft states that there is no free option to upgrade from 8.1 to Windows 10 or 11. Some of the advantages you gain when upgrading include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n