End of support for Windows 10, Windows 8.1 and Windows 7

After 10 January 2023, computers running Windows 8.1 will still function, but Microsoft will no longer provide the following:

• Technical support of any issue
• Software updates
• Security updates or fixes

No. Support for Windows 8.1 is discontinued, but the software will continue to function. However, after 10 January 2023, your computer running Windows 8.1 will no longer receive security updates. In addition, Microsoft customer service will no longer be available to provide Windows 8.1 technical support.

There are a few options for using a supported version of Windows:

• Recommended: New PC with Windows 11 Windows 11 is the most current version of Windows. If you have an older PC, we recommend you move to Windows 11 by buying a new PC. Hardware and software have improved a lot since Windows 8.1 was released, and today’s computers are faster, more powerful and more secure.

  View Windows 11 PCs

• Installing Windows 11 on your current PC Most PCs that run Windows 8.1 are not able to run Windows 11, but you can check to see if your computer is eligible by comparing its hardware specifications to the Windows 11 minimum system requirements. If your PC is capable of running Windows 11, you can purchase and download a full version of Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro or buy from a retailer. If you do choose this path, note that you will need to reinstall your apps (in some cases a newer version may be required) and take steps to transition files, data and settings since the installation will overwrite the contents of your existing storage drive.

There are two ways you can get to Windows 11:

• Recommended: New PC with Windows 11 Windows 11 is the most current version of Windows. If you have an older PC, we recommend you move to Windows 11 by buying a new PC. Hardware and software have improved a lot since Windows 8.1 was released, and today’s computers are faster, more powerful and more secure.

  View Windows 11 PCs

• Installing Windows 11 on your current PC You can also see if your current PC meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11. If it does, you can purchase and download a full version of Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro or buy from a retailer. If you do choose this path, note that you will need to reinstall your apps (in some cases a newer version may be required) and take steps to transition files, data and settings since the installation will overwrite the contents of your existing storage drive.

We do not currently offer free upgrades from Windows 8.1 to either Windows 10 or Windows 11. If you want to purchase a copy of Windows 11, please see links above or contact a retailer to find out about options. Note: The upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is currently free.

PCs originally built with Windows 8.1 are designed with technology that is about 10 years old. Once you move to a new PC, there will be many aspects of Windows that you will find familiar, but also with important software and hardware innovations and capabilities that were not available a decade ago. Some of the innovative new features available with Windows 11 on a new computer:

• Newer PC hardware that is faster, more capable, and more compatible with the latest industry technology.
• To help you keep your computer secure, you can take advantage of the latest security capabilities:
  • Get built-in security at no extra cost. Your Windows computer comes with built-in security features, including firewall and internet protections to help safeguard against viruses, malware and ransomware.
  • Use facial recognition or your fingerprint for more-secure sign-ins into Windows 11 on a PC compatible with Windows Hello². You can also use a localised PIN or your phone as a key.
• Organise your image files with the Photos app and they’ll be ready for easy viewing and sharing—even across devices. You can also search for certain themes and people in your photos. You just need to make sure your images are stored on OneDrive and you’re signed into your Microsoft account.

Windows 11 is the most secure Windows ever built, with comprehensive end-to-end security that covers antivirus, firewall, internet protections, and more. This means more security features, dashboard displays and ongoing security updates to help safeguard against future threats—all built-in at no extra cost. To receive updates, internet access is required and service fees may apply.

Read more about Windows Security

Windows 11 Home is the perfect operating system for personal and household use, while Windows 11 Pro offers all the familiar features of Windows 11 Home, plus additional features such as BitLocker, remote desktop and domain join to support professionals.

Compare editions of Windows 11

It’s easy to bring your files and photos to a new PC using OneDrive, a cloud storage service. With internet access and a few clicks, you can back up and protect your files online in the cloud and then, when you’re ready, sync onto a new PC. Syncing the files between your new PC and the cloud allows you to store the file locally for offline use when you don’t have internet access as well as on the OneDrive service in the cloud where you can restore them if something happens. OneDrive can automatically keep the two versions in sync as changes are made.

Learn how to move files with OneDrive

If OneDrive is not the best fit for you, you can use an external hard drive or USB key to copy files.

Microsoft Edge is the faster, safer browser to get things done on the internet in newer versions of Windows. If you're moving to a new Windows PC, you can easily move your Internet Explorer (IE) favourites with you. These instructions will guide you through moving IE favourites onto Microsoft Edge.

Learn more about Microsoft Edge

Yes. Windows 11 on a pen-capable PC or tablet allows you to use a digital pen to naturally write, draw, and sign just as you do on paper. You can mark up documents and even websites. The new pen menu can be customised with shortcuts to your favourite apps. (Digital pen sold separately.)

Lean more about the Windows Pen experience Find a device that supports Windows Pen

On devices that support Windows Hello², you can automatically bypass the log-in screen without typing a password. Use your face, fingerprint or companion device to unlock your Windows 11 computer in the fastest,⁴ most secure way.

Find a device that supports Windows Hello

Your experience may be different depending on the Office version you're running. To learn more, see Windows 8.1 end of support and Office.

As of 10 January 2023, you will not be able to make any new app purchases or any in-app purchases from the Microsoft Store, but you can continue to use installed apps and games on a Windows 8.1 PC after that date. Installed apps and games will receive publisher updates until 30 June 2023 (or later if support is provided independently by the developer). Once updates are no longer available, app quality and usability may be degraded. Customers who move to a Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC can use and reinstall previously purchased apps and games on their new or upgraded PC.

You can find information on how to recycle your old PC responsibly with our end-of-life management and recycling initiatives.

Support for Windows 7 has been discontinued, Microsoft customer service no longer is able to provide technical assistance, and your PC no longer receives security updates. It's important that you move to a modern operating system such as Windows 11, which can provide the latest security updates to help keep you and your data safer.

There are a few options for using a supported version of Windows:

• Recommended: New PC with Windows 11 Windows 11 is the most current version of Windows. If you have an older PC, we recommend you move to Windows 11 by buying a new PC. Hardware and software have improved a lot since Windows 7 was released, and today’s computers are faster, more powerful and more secure.

  View Windows 11 PCs

• Installing Windows 11 on your current PC You can also see if your current PC meets the minimum system requirements PCs that are running Windows 7 are unlikely to meet these requirements, but if yours does, you can purchase and download a full version of Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro or buy from a retailer. If you do choose this path, note that you will need to reinstall your apps (in some cases, a newer version may be required) and take steps to transition files, data and settings since the installation will overwrite the contents of your existing storage drive.

PCs originally built with Windows 7 are running technology that is over 10 years old. Once you move to a new PC, there will be many aspects of Windows that you will find familiar, but also with important software and hardware innovations and capabilities that were not available a decade ago. Check out some of the innovative new features available with Windows 11 on a new computer:

• Newer PC hardware that is faster, more capable, and more compatible with the latest industry technology.
• To help you keep your computer secure, you can take advantage of the latest security capabilities:
  • Get built-in security at no extra cost. Your Windows computer comes with built-in security features, including firewall and internet protections to help safeguard against viruses, malware and ransomware.
  • Use facial recognition or your fingerprint for more secure sign-ins into Windows 11 on a PC compatible with Windows Hello². You can also use a localised PIN or your phone as a key.
• Organise your image files with the Photos app and they’ll be ready for easy viewing and sharing—even across devices. You can also search for certain themes and people in your photos. You just need to make sure your images are stored on OneDrive and you’re signed in to your Microsoft Account.

Windows 11 is the most secure Windows ever built, with comprehensive end-to-end security that covers antivirus, firewall, internet protections, and more. This means more security features, dashboard displays and ongoing security updates to help safeguard against future threats—all built-in at no extra cost. To receive updates, internet access is required and service fees may apply.

Read more about Windows Security

Windows 11 Home is the perfect operating system for personal and household use, while Windows 11 Pro offers all the familiar features of Windows 11 Home, plus additional features such as BitLocker, remote desktop and domain join to support professionals.

Compare editions of Windows 11

It’s easy to bring your files and photos to a new PC using OneDrive, a cloud storage service. With internet access and a few clicks, you can back up and protect your files online in the cloud and then, when you’re ready, sync onto a new PC. Syncing the files between your new PC and the cloud allows you to store the file locally for offline use when you don’t have internet access as well as on the OneDrive service in the cloud where you can restore them if something happens. OneDrive can automatically keep the two versions in sync as changes are made.

Learn how to move files with OneDrive

If you're moving from a Windows 7 PC to a new Windows 11 PC, you can easily move your Internet Explorer favourites with you. These instructions will guide you through moving IE favourites onto Microsoft Edge, the faster, safer way to get things done on the internet.

Learn more about Microsoft Edge

Yes. Windows 11 on a pen-capable PC or tablet allows you to use a digital pen to naturally write, draw, and sign just as you do on paper. You can mark up documents and even websites. The new pen menu can be customised with shortcuts to your favourite apps. (Digital pen sold separately.)

Lean more about the Windows Pen experience Find a device that supports Windows Pen

On devices that support Windows Hello², you can automatically bypass the log-in screen without typing a password. Use your face, fingerprint or companion device to unlock your Windows 11 computer in the fastest,⁴ most secure way.

Find out more about Windows Hello Find a device that supports Windows Hello

Your experience may be different depending on the Office version you're running. To learn more, see Windows 7 end of support and Office.

You can find information on how to recycle your old PC responsibly with our end-of-life management and recycling initiatives.