Microsoft to start nagging Windows 8.1 users in July about January 2023 end-of-support date

Yes, Win 8.1 is a pretty good OS and I already meant to ask this in the Win 10 thread, but I have noticed something very weird. And that is that there is always this strange 2 second delay when opening a folder with for example hundreds of MPEG 4 files, but only when you have sorted them on date. I don't get this on my Win 8.1 desktop, but I do see this on my Win 10 laptop with the same specs, can anyone confirm? So Win 8.1 seems a bit snappier and I also hate all of the extra services (svchost.exe) that M$ has added to Win 10. It's annoying when you are using Process Explorer to monitor stuff.

 

Yes I feel the same, I personally only update when apps or OS offer me interesting new features or if there are any major security risks involved, but this is almost never the case, especially not when you're already using security tools that can easily tackle zero day attacks.

 

What is the file system of the drive with the MPEG files? exFAT tends to be slow if you change the default sort order.

The "extra" svchost instances are where they split them up on Windows 10 if you have enough RAM. Otherwise the processes share instances. If you want to tweak that see this:
Change Split Threshold for svchost.exe in Windows 10 | Tutorials (tenforums.com)

 

My opinion is the "updating game" is nothing more than a big hustle / scam to sell software (and hardware) because good software just works without having to keep updating it all of the time and it most certainly doesn't become bloated and slowing down your computer over time, which because of this nonsense I stopped being "Mr FixIt" for people with computer issues ages ago as they'd rather listen to the (obviously sponsored) scaremongering of needing to update everything and anything than actually listening to good advice that will help them.

Update this, replace that, buy this subscription service, buy new hardware etc but no one pushes computer users to back up their data or wants to educate them properly. Why is that? A computer user with knowledge is less likely to keep spending money on unneeded hardware / software / subscriptions etc.

All you have to do is look at popular tech websites at their (so-called) unbiased recommendations, who are clearly being paid to mislead people into emptying their wallets.

 

I'm sorry but using supported version of Internet-facing software, especially OS, is the only way to use the securely for vast majority of users. It is just a reality that securing workstation on unsupported OS is very challenging.
It is the same advice for people using paid OSes like Windows and free one like Debian Gnu/Linux. If you don't want to spend money on OS updates just switch to some free Gnu/Linux distribution.

 

I quit playing that nonsense update game long ago. Years later my 8.1 outdated systems is vastly more productive and secure. Just as well no interruptions from the M$ and their kiddie script let's play stop awhile while we see what we can slow down or malfunction next on you.

When IF I ever upgrade it will be Windows 12. I am so finished with their disturbing users normal computing experience games. Malware developers are enough effort to prevent against without something native going awry.

 

Well, trying to be a good doo-bee with this Windows 11 and it's not working. I don't know what it is but it doesn't pass the smell test on here, even though the machine is fully compliant, with no work-arounds. Guess the debut of it made a lasting bad impression (just the way it was handled--leaving many out in the cold).

Guess I'll wait for 12 myself; however, I don't see any regressions back to an earlier, more peaceful life like it was/is on Windows 10. (for that matter: 8.1--my favorite OS to this day )

 

No they are both NTFS drives, so this doesn't explain it. However, I did read about Win Defender causing Intel CPU's to run slower, will look into this.

Yes I agree, as long as everything works correctly, there really is no need to update stuff. And it's very unlikely that home user PC's will get infected by exploits, especially if they are protected with the right security tools, so this is also no excuse to update for me.

In fact, updating Windows 10 has brought nothing but trouble for me, I had to reset my PC twice. Then I decided to upgrade to the newest Win 10 20H2 version, bad idea because it partially broke my Taskbar, and the Windows Store also doesn't work anymore. While I never had any problems with malware in over 25 years, nuff said.

Vivaldi 5.3 has also introduced a couple of very annoying bugs, and they haven't been fixed a month later. I should have stayed with Vivaldi 5.0, but stupid HBO Max didn't work because of an outdated Chromium version, how dumb is this? Long story short, if software isn't broken, don't try to fix it.

 

I absolutely detest MS policy decision to run away from yet another Windows O/S that they peddled so admirably, refined to a reasonably acceptable degree, than choose to distance themselves from it without enhancing it. For those many users (Win 7 too) who still can rely on it despite newer releases in Windows 10 and now 11, that neglect from what is suppose to be an innovative Tech Giant certainly won't inspire the confidence that they key their customer's/user's into in pressing us to purchase new laptops/PC Systems.

In retrospect, and only in my opinion, if they offered in one lump swoop to fully maximize and finely refine security plus repair/add a few features, they would find those long time users eager to go out and obtain the brand new systems with Windows 11 or 12 which will become afterwards.

As is, they only offer a scattered exhausting list of "optional" updates say for 8 as one example, many of which have no bearing whatsoever on the home user and to a lesser degree small business users either. I combed my own piled up list of updates for 8.1 and read details on every one of them. Many needed fixes they have threw to the wind which thankfully some bright minds are able to shore up and stabilize those now earlier systems. On the "Important" updates, those could been compiled by now into a single full download instead of that kiddie-like nit pick routine which is stretched over years. And from what i seen many as in majority had to do with .NET.

Their drivers support is mediocre at best, anemic and lacking and who had the time to search resources for a needle in a haystack to improve or correct failures when a USB stops working or some other 'another' indigenous hardware issue that MS could repair with a fix. Yes many hardware branded system have improved and do better now (maybe)- But left in the dust to rot are those predecessor systems users.

Eight IS NOT a bad nor a grossly vulnerable system IF ONLY MS had the wherewith all and ambition to do the right thing. As it stands they are in a position to shuttle each and every O/S they release just like they intend to do with Windows 10 soon enough too. Not a very High Tech Professional standing to base your business on unless there is no other competitor in town- Hence why many have turned and will likely continue to turn again to a Mac and Linux O/S or perhaps Google O/S and their wireless handsets over a MS Product. IMHO

No, MS Windows team problem is that they have teed off so many once devoted users with their lackluster refinements and abandonment which is always been in their ability to better prove themselves a Tech O/S Master. So is it any wonder malware fashioners consider it a major accomplishment & defiance to exert maximum efforts to smear every new Windows O/S release and introduce a whole new set of issues to further push MS to run from being overwhelmed and hit the drawing board for our next greatest/safest release O/S by them.

 

Almost all software companies/developers etc will only keep supporting an outdated program for a certain amount of time, its good business practice. I see no reason to use resources such as money or manpower to support a program/OS with a dwindling user base.

 

Yeah well MS might try to do away with it, in fact January next year is it's support ending date. But they entirely skipped Windows 9 which would have been a tech windfall had they ushered some gusto to make THAT the next in series o/s and not Windows 10 and already have Windows 11 out and about. Not that those systems will lose steam like 7 and soon 8/8.1 in their view and this generation of newcomers who wouldn't dare tout a MS relic o/s

But there are plenty of user's who will still run those systems simply because most security software is already fashioned and improved enough to continue to support them as well as plenty enough common run-of-the-mill developers as well as adequate performance with regular maintenance.

Mainstreamers will always flock for the wow factor of the latest of their releases but Windows still is plagued with constantly chasing the monkey no matter which newest development that they dream up. It's common that many will argue market share and the obsolete support or missing features which to an extent 10 & 11 has it's advantage there, but some of us diehards can have it both ways and own Windows 11 and still have superior functionality in at least a predecessor or two that is still viable for use with tip top safety.

 

Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 support officially ends today Tuesday, 1/10/2023. Microsoft won't release security updates anymore for both operating systems after January 10, 2023.