Windows 8.1, the defunct version of the Microsoft system that once cost Steve Sinofsky his job, will reach its end of cycle on January 10, 2023, the date from which it will no longer receive technical support for any problem, software updates and security updates or fixes. In short, the system is left without support, and although it is possible to continue using it, doing so poses a serious security risk to the user.
With the upcoming discontinuation of Windows 8.1, users can migrate to Windows 10, Linux, or Windows 11. Microsoft has taken it upon itself to remind you through its support website that it currently does not offer “free upgrade paths from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 or Windows 10”. 11” and obviously not going to encourage the use of the Linux desktop, but it is still a bit surprising that he has made the decision to Recommend buying a new Windows 11 PC over migrating to Windows 10 or 11.
One of the main reasons argued by Microsoft is that “Windows 11 is the most secure Windows ever created, with complete end-to-end security that covers antivirus, firewall, Internet protections and much more. This means more security features, dashboard screens, and ongoing updates to help protect against future threats, all built in at no additional cost.” In addition, the company has also put a link to explain how the end of the Windows 8.1 cycle impacts Microsoft Office.
There are the high requirements of Windows 11, not because of the power of the hardware, but in terms of security features that the motherboard must have. This means that most users have to buy a new PC if they want to use the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system (at least following the official channels), that or migrate to Windows 10 or Linux, which for now do not require things like TPM despite the fact that in the case of the latter its use is beginning to be encouraged.
With requirements on the table, it’s only natural for Microsoft to recommend buying a new PC because a Windows 8.1 PC is unlikely to be able to support Windows 11. However, others may blame the company for Not recommending migrating to Windows 10 in the first place as a way to prolong the life of your computer, leading to potential planned obsolescence policies.
Regardless of the reasons and circumstances surrounding Microsoft and its operating systems, it is no less true that it is advisable to first check whether or not the computer is compatible with Windows 11 in order to obtain more support time, so we invite you to see our Windows 11 22H2 installation tutorial.
