Microsoft’s push towards Windows 10 continues.
Today, Microsoft is ending support for Windows 8, as
well as older versions of its Internet Explorer web
browser, IE 8, IE 9, and IE 10. For end users, that
doesn’t mean the software instantly becomes non-
functional, but that it will longer be updated with bug
fixes or other security patches. That could potentially
expose a good portion of online users to malware, if
they choose not to upgrade, Microsoft warns.
On its website, the company explains that security
patches are necessary to protect computers from
attacks, so “upgrading and staying current is
important.”
Microsoft suggests that users who want to remain on
Internet Explorer immediately move to the new
version, Internet Explorer 11, which offers better
security, improved performance, better backward
compatibility, and support for web standards. This
version of the web browser will continue to receive
fixes and security patches, as well as technical
support on several versions of Windows, including
Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10.
Of course, users can also choose to move to
Microsoft’s new web browser, Microsoft Edge, if they
also move to a Windows 10 device. This successor to
IE is the built-in browser on Windows 10, and offers a
simple design, access to Microsoft’s virtual assistant
Cortana, a “Reading View,” and the added ability to
doodle or annotate web pages with notes, among
other things.
Additionally, if you’re still slogging away on Windows
Vista (SP2), IE 9 will continue to be supported,
Microsoft said previously. Windows Server also offers
some exceptions, with IE 9 support on Server 2008
(SP2) and IE 10 support on Server 2012.
The current user base on IE 8 through 10
The current user base on IE 8 through 10 is sizable –
it represents roughly 20 percent of the desktop web
browser market, according to data from
Netmarketshare. That is, 4.18 percent of users are on
IE 10, another 6.67 percent use IE 9, and 8.95
percent are on IE 8.
In addition to killing off older versions of IE, today is
also the last day for Windows 8 support, which will
also no longer receive security patches and other
updates following today’s final Patch Tuesday for the
OS. That means Windows 8 users will need to
upgrade to Windows 8.1 or Windows 10, in order to
continue to protect their PC from security risks.
Windows 8.1 upgraders will then receive support
until Jan. 10, 2023, and Windows 10 upgraders will
have support until Oct. 14, 2025 after they move to
the new OS version.
Microsoft has been heavily pushing its newer OS
Windows 10, and said recently that the operating
system is now running on over 200 million devices.
However, the company’s larger goal is to increase
that figure to over a billion in a few years’ time. In
part, getting there will require overcoming users’
inertia – and enterprise’s reluctance – to move to a
new version of an OS.
According to some sources, Windows 8 is still running
on 2-3 percent of PCs, or 30-40 million devices. By
forcing customers’ hands by ending support for older
versions, Microsoft is encouraging those users to
finally ditch their outdated software.

Source: techcrunch.com/2016/01/12/microsoft-today-ends-support-for-windows-8-old-versions-of-internet-explorer/#.anceaea:kVjD

they're joking, when most of our Photocopy shops still use xp

missdebs:
they're joking, when most of our Photocopy shops still use xp

U sure?

shenney:
U sure?

Actually, she is right

maybe these people think one should just be living a life of computers and gadgets..everyday update from one bug to another, so they can sell more they just come up with a big smokes screen that android/windows 9 is not effective so u can just spend your money updating and upgrading ...well I pity those fooled by their stories....