Windows 8 support ends in two years

Bit Tech reports Microsoft's Windows 8 operating system will reach the end of its life cycle within just over two years. The software giant has made the free update to Windows 8.1 a mandatory install by setting Windows 8's EOL date two years from now. This means if you haven't updated to Windows 8.1 by October 2015, you will no longer receives updates nor security patches.

Some, however, are unlikely to want to install the software straight away. Microsoft has had a rough time lately with updates and patches, having to pull numerous faulty Patch Tuesday releases over the past six months following flaws that, in their worst cases, can prevent systems from booting correctly. As a result, more cautious users - and especially those in enterprise environments - are likely to hold fire on the update and allow others to discover the kinks.

There is a limit to how long delaying the installation of Windows 8.1 will work, though: Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 8.1 will be a mandatory install, with support for Windows 8 coming to a close in two years' time. After October 2015, Microsoft has warned customers, support for Windows 8 - including the release of critical security patches - will cease.