Microsoft is serious. Effective immediately, an end-of-support notice will appear on Windows 8.1 PCs, filling the entire screen.
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Windows 8.1: Full-screen nag screen urges users to switch
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Microsoft is increasing the pressure on the remaining Windows 8.1 users. Because with the July 2022 patch day, Microsoft not only closed a number of gaps, but also delivered patch KB5015874 to Windows 8.1 computers.
As announced, this patch now causes a message window to be displayed on computers with Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1 or Windows Server 2012 R2 that fills the entire screen (on computers with Managed Pro, Enterprise devices, Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Enterprise , Windows Embedded 8.1 or Industry Pro devices the nag screen does not appear). This window is a nag screen that indicates that Microsoft will end support for the mentioned operating systems on January 10, 2023 and will no longer release security updates for Windows 8.1 or Windows Server 2012 from this date.
The end-of-support full-screen notice always appears after the login process, as reported by Bleepingcomputer. The nagscreen is started by the EOSnotify.exe file.
The text on the nagscreen translates as something like this: “January 10, 2023 is the last day that Microsoft will provide security updates and technical support for PCs running Windows 8.1. We would like to thank you for your loyalty and Help you prepare for what’s to come.” A large “Learn more” button at the bottom right leads to this page with further information. Significantly smaller, two other options are offered at the bottom left and bottom center of the nag screen: “Remind me after the end of support date” and “Remind me later”. The latter causes the nag screen to appear again after 35 days.
In other words, as of this date, said operating systems are vulnerable to attacks exploiting newly discovered vulnerabilities. Windows 8.1 users should switch to a newer operating system by January 10, 2023 at the latest. Unlike the much more popular Windows 7, Microsoft does not offer a paid Extended Security Update (ESU) program for Windows 8.1.
Microsoft is urging Windows 8.1 users to switch with nag screens
Microsoft is ending support for Windows 8.1 soon – you need to do that
