Support for Windows 8.1 ends today, January 10th after nearly ten years of service. From now on, Microsoft will no longer provide new versions, technical support or security updates, making the system more vulnerable to hackers as cybercriminals exploit unpatched vulnerabilities. And Windows has a daily…

Windows 8.1 was Microsoft’s answer to the disastrous Windows 8. Released on October 17, 2013, it (sort of) addressed some of the wildest criticisms, such as the removal of the Start button/menu and the generally overly edgy approach to using touch screens, which Windows 7 lacked support for, and the implementation of dual a modern user interface that has thrown even the biggest fanatics of the Windows desktop into turmoil.

Microsoft was of course under pressure from mobile devices like the iPad and tried to create a single system in response. But it was a tragedy for the table. Julie Larson-Green, vice president of devices, the first woman to lead the Windows division and responsible with Steven Sinofsky for the development of Windows 8, summed it up in one sentence: “We could have done better”. We have it even clearer: Microsoft has forgotten its main supporters, desktop computers.

In short, Windows 8.1 brought back the Start button (not the menu), gave users the ability to boot directly to the desktop instead of the (useless) Start screen, and introduced a unified Bing-based search system. It also had tighter integration with SkyDrive (now OneDrive), a transparent device encryption system based on BitLocker on compatible devices, and support for 3D printing.

Windows 8.1 end of support alternatives

It should be said that aside from ending standard extended support, Microsoft will not offer (or pay). Extended security update (ESU) for Windows 8.1, so this version is dead and outright buried. In addition, it will not be supported by such important applications as Chrome itself or Edge from Microsoft. Therefore, it is recommended to update your device as soon as possible.

Everything we said yesterday about Windows 7, the next version whose support (this ESU) also ends today, applies to Windows 8.1. We won’t repeat ourselves because if you follow us you know it by heart and the alternatives are different:

• Free upgrade to Windows 10. (Still working…)
• Buying a Windows 10/Windows 11 license. (With the promotions we offer you, you can buy them much cheaper)
• Buying a new PC with a pre-installed system. (Windows 11 in 99%)
• Switch to Linux. (Always ready, free, free and competent for any of your computers)
• Chrome OS. (Just getting better and better)
• Mac Operating System. (If Apple licensed it, Windows would put it on the ropes in one semester. Right now it’s only available with a Mac purchase.)
• Other alternatives. (Not as clear as the previous ones, but they exist, they exist: FreeBSD, ReactOS, OpenBSD, Chrome OS Flex…)