Microsoft extends Windows 8.1 support deadline

Microsoft has formally extended the support deadline for Windows 8.1 by 30 days, following numerous issues installing the mandatory Windows 8.1 Update 1 which will be required for future support.

Despite being Microsoft's most recent operating system release, Windows 8.1's days are numbered. The company had previously stated that it would withdraw all support for the operating system starting on May's Patch Tuesday - today, in other words - making it the product with the shortest support lifespan in Microsoft's history. From today onwards, the original schedule would have Windows 8.1 users locked out from receiving functionality and security updates unless and until they installed the Windows 8.1 Update 1 release.

Sadly, the launch of Windows 8.1 Update 1 hasn't been smooth sailing. Microsoft was forced to pull the update following reports of incompatibility with other Microsoft products in a corporate environment, and even after the update was patched and reissued users continued to report problems. With the deadline looming, those who have still been unable to upgrade were concerned - and, at the last minute, Microsoft has acted.

'While we believe the majority of people have received the update, we recognise that not all have,' admitted Microsoft's Brandon LeBlanc in a blog post published late last night - just hours before the deadline. 'Having our customers running their devices with the latest updates is super important to us. And we’re committed to helping ensure their safety. As a result, we’ve decided to extend the requirement for our consumer customers to update their devices to the Windows 8.1 Update in order to receive security updates another 30 days to June 10th.'

The volte-face comes after Microsoft opted to release a security patch for Windows XP despite the operating system having officially reached End Of Life (EOL) status - after which, Microsoft had previously promised, no security patches would be made available for general release.