Microsoft Windows 8 End of Life
Support dates and upgrade guidance — rebuilt from live data.
Microsoft Windows 8 reached end of life on 12 Jan 2016. It no longer receives security fixes.
Support timeline
Official dates from the Microsoft Windows release process.
| Milestone | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Initial release | 30 Oct 2012 | — |
| End of life | 12 Jan 2016 | 10.6 years ago |
| Latest release | 6.2.9200 | final |
Where to go from 8
Recommended target: Microsoft Windows 11-26h1-e (supported until 13 Mar 2029).
The newest actively supported branch is Microsoft Windows 11-26h1-e (latest release 10.0.28000).
Frequently asked questions
Is Microsoft Windows 8 still safe to use?
Microsoft Windows 8 reached end of life on 12 Jan 2016, 3,862 days ago, and is no longer covered by standard support. Running it means no guaranteed security fixes.
Can I still download Microsoft Windows 8?
Yes — the final release (6.2.9200) generally remains available from vendor archives and OS package mirrors, but installing it means running software with known, unpatched vulnerabilities.
What should I upgrade Microsoft Windows 8 to?
Upgrade to Microsoft Windows 11-26h1-e, the newest actively supported branch (supported until 13 Mar 2029).