Windows 8.1
| A version of the Windows NT operating system | |
 | |
 Default Windows 8.1 desktop. | |
| Developer | Microsoft |
|---|---|
| OS family | Microsoft Windows |
| Source model | |
| Released to manufacturing | August 27, 2013[1] |
| General availability | October 17, 2013[2] |
| Latest release | 6.3.9600 / April 8, 2014[3] |
| Update method | Windows Update, Windows Store, Windows Server Update Services |
| Platforms | IA-32, x64 |
| Kernel type | Hybrid |
| License | Trialware, Microsoft Software Assurance, MSDN subscription, Microsoft Imagine |
| Preceded by | Windows 8 (2012) |
| Succeeded by | Windows 10 (2015) |
| Official website | www |
| Support status | |
All editions except Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry:
Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry: | |
Windows 8.1 is a version of Microsoft Windows and the second version of Windows 8.x. It was released on October 17, 2013, the same day as Windows Server 2012 R2. It is a new version of the Windows NT 6.x line, since it changes the version number from 6.2 to 6.3. It is a free update for Windows 8 that can be found in the Windows Store. When Windows 10 was released, Windows 8.1 could be upgraded to Windows 10 for free.
Features[change | change source]
The important new features are:
- The Start button, instead of pointing at the bottom left corner of the taskbar
- Internet Explorer 11
- support for 3D printing
- Wi-Fi Direct
End of Mainstream and Extended support[change | change source]
On January 9, 2018, Microsoft ended mainstream support for most editions of Windows 8.1, while mainstream support ended for Embedded editions on July 10 of that year. On July 12, 2022, Microsoft released an update for Windows 8.1 which shows the fullscreen end of support message. It appears an any edition of Windows 8.1 except some Embedded editions [1]. Extended support for all editions of Windows 8.1 will be ending on January 10, 2023, while extended support for Embedded editions will be ending on July 11 of that year.
References[change | change source]
- ↑ Bott, Ed (28 August 2013). "Why is Microsoft keeping the final release of Windows 8.1 secret?". ZDNet. CBS Interactive.
- ↑ LeBlanc, Brandon (17 October 2013). "Windows 8.1 now available!". Windows Experience Blog. Microsoft.
- ↑ "Why I love today's Windows 8.1 Update". Windows Experience Blog. April 8, 2014.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Product lifecycle Windows 8.1 Industry". support.microsoft.com. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
