Windows 8.1a free update that tried to fix some of the most criticized things about the original Windows 8 has started showing a warning screen for the next official end of the cycle, which will happen in January 2023, unless Microsoft decides to change plans at the last minute.

The notification was introduced yesterday as part of the cumulative update KB5015874, which contains an executable file called “EOSnotify.exe” that displays an end-of-support notification for Windows 8.1. The file is located in C:\Windows\System32 and is done via two tasks called EOSNotify and EOSNotify2. The first of these tasks is triggered every time a user logs into the system with their account, while the second is activated once a day.

Microsoft posted a reminder in the update summary that read: “Windows 8.1 will end support on January 10, 2023 for all editions, when technical support and software updates will no longer be provided. If you have a Windows 8.1 device, we recommend that you update it to a newer, supported, supported version of Windows. If your devices do not meet the technical requirements to run a newer version of Windows, we recommend that you replace your device with a device that supports Windows 11.”

Users will have a “Remind Later” option that will keep the alert for 35 days. After this time, it will be displayed again. It is also possible to select “Remind me after end of support date”, which will only show a notification after Windows 8.1 reaches the end of its life.

When Windows 8.1 reaches its end-of-cycle date, you will no longer receive security updates.. This means that the bugs and security holes found will not be fixed, in addition to gradually losing support for applications, which highlights here some web browsers that tend to constantly interact with the Internet.

If the computer is not compatible with Windows 11, the alternative is to extend the support for another two years by updating to Windows 10. There are also Linux distributions and Chrome OS Flex, which was introduced as a system that aims to avoid wasting electronic components.

If the user does not want to deal with the planned obsolescence policy of Microsoft and hardware manufacturers, Linux is the most logical option, since it is not as controlled by corporations as its competitors. This is the same logic that is used if you want to install an Android ROM on a mobile that has been abandoned by its manufacturer. It is true that the Redmond giant offers very long support periods for Windows, but the high requirements of Windows 11 have outraged many.