You should also install all Windows 8.1 updates prior to end of support, if possible. You should be extremely careful with USB drives as they may be infected with malware. Download the Windows 8.1 Installer Visit the Windows 8.1 download page and choose your Windows version from the drop-down menu, followed by Confirm.

Because of the above, if you run Windows 8.1 after the end-of-support date, then you may want to disable Wi-Fi and unplug any Ethernet cables to prevent malware from entering your computer.

You may run into legal issues if you are a business and you run an unsupported operating system.

If your computer has a technical issue, Microsoft will not be able to provide technical support.

This includes UWP versions of desktop apps like Spotify or iTunes.

They require at least Windows 10 or Windows 11 to function properly. A lot of Microsoft Store apps being developed today do not work on Windows 8.1. More and more apps will be developed, but Windows 8.1 will not support them.

Your computer will continue to work as it does today, but you may be exposed to more viruses and malware than on newer ecosystems.Antivirus, such as Microsoft Security Essentials, will not work as effectively as it used to, meaning you may be vulnerable to viruses and other forms of malware. Antivirus does not protect your computer when it is out of support.This is not recommended, but if you choose to do so, take notes of the following: Continue using Windows 8.1 past its end-of-support date, if you really want to. After you download Windows 8.1 Lite ISO to your computer, follow the below steps to install it.

Update windows 8.1 free