Does Windows 8 still work?

Windows 8 and Microsoft 365

Windows 8 went out of support on January 12, 2016 and no longer receives security updates.

Can I still use Windows 8 after 2020?

Beginning in July 2019, the Windows 8 Store is officially closed. While you can no longer install or update applications from the Windows 8 Store, you can continue using those already installed. However, since Windows 8 has been out of support since January 2016, we encourage you to update to Windows 8.1 for free.

Can I use Windows 8 in 2021?

If you are still running Windows 8, it has been unsupported since 2016. Therefore running Windows 8 in 2021 is a bad idea. However, you should be able to easily upgrade to Windows 8.1 and run Windows 8.1 instead. Windows 8.1 is in extended support until 12 Jan 2023, so it is safe to use in 2021.

Can I upgrade my Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 for free?

As a result, you can still upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 and claim a free digital license for the latest Windows 10 version, without being forced to jump through any hoops.

Is it safe to use Windows 8?

Windows 8.1 will be supported until 2023. So yes, it is safe to use Windows 8.1 until 2023. After which the support would end and you would have to update to the next version to keep on receiving security and other updates.

Should You Still Use Windows 8 (or 8.1)?

Did Windows 11 release?

Microsoft officially released Windows 11 on October 4, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. PT, which was October 5 in parts of the world.

How will Windows 11 look like?

Windows 11 features a streamlined new design, with pastel-like colors and rounded corners, and overall a more Mac-like look. The Windows Start menu has moved from the bottom left of the screen to the middle, with app icons arranged in the center next to it.

Can I still get Windows 10 for free 2021?

Microsoft shut down its free Windows 10 upgrade program in November 2017. If you didn't get your free version of its best operating system to date, you were pretty much out of luck. Or, so we thought. It turns out, you can still upgrade to Windows 10 without spending a dime.

Will Windows 11 be a free upgrade?

How much does it cost to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11? It's free. But only Windows 10 PCs that are running the most current version of Windows 10 and meet the minimum hardware specifications will be able to upgrade. You can check to see if you have the latest updates for Windows 10 in Settings/Windows Update.

Is Windows 10 home free?

Microsoft allows anyone to download Windows 10 for free and install it without a product key. It'll keep working for the foreseeable future, with only a few small cosmetic restrictions. And you can even pay to upgrade to a licensed copy of Windows 10 after you install it.

How do I upgrade to Windows 10 for free?

Is there a Windows 9?

Even though Windows 9 doesn't exist, you can still keep other versions of Windows, like Windows 11 and Windows 10, updated and free from bugs using Windows Update.

How can I upgrade my Windows 8 to Windows 10?

Is Windows 7 still good in 2021?

Windows 7 is no longer supported, so you better upgrade, sharpish... For those still using Windows 7, the deadline to upgrade from it has passed; it's now an unsupported operating system. So unless you want to leave your laptop or PC open to bugs, faults and cyber attacks, you best upgrade it, sharpish.

Is Windows 8.1 free now?

If your computer is currently running Windows 8, you can upgrade to Windows 8.1 for free. Once you've installed Windows 8.1, we recommend that you then upgrade your computer to Windows 10, which is also a free upgrade.

Has Windows 12 been released?

Windows 12 release date rumors

This is still very early days for Windows 11 – we're not even at the one-year anniversary of the update having been announced. However, going on past releases, we'd expect to see Windows 12 arrive in late 2025, just as support for Windows 10 is ending.

Is Windows 10 or 11 better?

There's no question about it, Windows 11 will be a better operating system than Windows 10 when it comes to gaming. The former will be borrowing some Xbox Series X features to improve the visual quality of games, such as Auto HDR which automatically adds HDR enhancements to games built on DirectX 11 or higher.

Is Windows 11 free forever?

If you're already a Windows 10 user and have a compatible computer, Windows 11 will appear as a free upgrade for your machine once it becomes available for you. Microsoft's new OS is gradually rolling out between now and mid-2022.

Can I still use Windows 7 in 2022?

This is through what's known as the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, although the last of these is set for 2022. Extended Security Updates are only officially available via licensed providers, and can't be bought by private users or small businesses, even if running Windows 7 Pro.

Is Windows 10 free now?

Over the weekend Microsoft delivered a bombshell: Windows 10 is now free for anyone who wants it.

Can Windows 8.1 be upgraded to Windows 11?

Yes, you can upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 8.1 while keeping your files and apps during the process, and here's how to do it. Computers still running Windows 8.1 can upgrade to Windows 11 without losing data or applications using the ISO file since it's a supported installation path.

Is Windows 11 Pro free?

How much does it cost to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11? It's free. But only Windows 10 PCs that are running the most current version of Windows 10 and meet the minimum hardware specifications will be able to upgrade.

How can I upgrade my Windows 8 to 11 for free?

Just go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click Check for Updates. If available, you'll see Feature update to Windows 11. Click Download and install.

Is Windows 11 worth installing?

But if you're still hesitant, there's really no reason why you should upgrade to Windows 11 right away. As long as you're on Windows 10, you'll have access to many of Windows 11's key features (like Auto HDR and virtual desktops) as well as critical updates and security patches through 2025.

Is Windows 10 end of life?

Microsoft will continue to support Windows 10 until Oct. 14, 2025. (The Windows 10 November 2021 update is now available.) That gives you about four years to prepare as Microsoft slowly moves its billion-plus Windows users to Windows 11.