What are you going to do with Win8.1 past Jan 10 or what have you already done?

Topic

New Reply

[kandb]

I am pondering that question and have been for a while.  Do I keep Win 8.1 or do I upgrade to Win 10?  It seems I can upgrade as my PC meets all minimum requirements to do so but I’m very hesitant to start the process as I like my current operating system.  It does everything I want to do and the hassle/frustration/problems that might pop… well I don’t want to deal with.

So, if you’re using Win 8.1 or thinking about keeping it going or have upgraded to W10 I’d really like to know your thoughts.  W11 has no appeal for me.  I use Firefox browser and Thunderbird email and both work excellently for me but it looks like Firefox will support W8.1 for just a while longer and I don’t know of any extended Thunderbird support.  If you upgraded to W10 how did the process go and which site did you rely on for guidance and downloading of software as there are many to choose.  If you’re staying with W8.1 how are you going to work with it past Jan 10?  What security will you use to immunize your system against the bad guys?

Thank you in advance for responding and I look forward to hearing from you.

Bill

• This topic was modified 2 months, 2 weeks ago by kandb.

Reply | Quote

Replies

I don’t have any Windows 8.1 systems, but I do have a laptop running Windows 8 (the original version). To protect it, I have implemented many of the measures described in the first link below my signature; most of what’s there is equally applicable to Windows 8/8.1.

One of the potentially most concerning security developments with regard to older operating systems, is the impending end of browser support. I would start looking now for alternative browsers that pledge to keep supporting your OS past the dates that Google (Chrome) and Mozilla (Firefox) stop issuing patches for their browsers on Win8.1.

Still, with the multiple layers of security installed on it, I have few worries about my Win8 laptop. A couple of caveats:

1. This approach does imply a greater degree of knowledge and personal involvement with the workings of our computers. For example, you’ll find yourself sometimes needing to click on a notification to allow a program (say, an installer) to run, or to go on the Internet. This is one of the ways in which your security is enhanced: if you weren’t trying to install anything at the time, then the notification is a warning that something you don’t want may be trying to set itself up on your PC. Therefore,
2. None of this applies if you intend to do it in an office setting, where other users may be less knowledgeable or less motivated to stay on top of their security just so that they can remain on their preferred OS.

Good luck!

 

Keep Running Windows 7 Safely for Years to Come  
Make Windows 10 look and work like Windows 7

2 users thanked author for this post.

Charlie, kandb

Reply | Quote

I will continue to use my last Win8.1 beyond Jan 10th and depending on vulns held back for the final occasion, I’ll take it offline and keep it going on that device. I have no intention of upgrading it, I like it too much for it’s stability, control and the work I’ve put into it over the years with OS images in the wings.
0Patch aren’t offering support to Win8.1 so it’ll be offline sooner rather than later.
Already having W10 devices and Linux Mint’s on others will take the online strain. Win8.1 is my runner-up choice of proper Windows once stripped down and tamed, with Windows 7 being the pinnacle of Microsoft’s work, as ever YMMV

Keep IT Lean, Clean and Mean!

3 users thanked author for this post.

Charlie, Cybertooth, kandb

Reply | Quote

I have two Windows 8.1 (Pro with Classic/Open Shell) desktops that I was planning an eventual move to Linux since Microsoft’s “Windows as a service” with Windows 10 (or newer) is just not an option for me, primarily due to lack of easy built-in control over updates and dislike for all the telemetry they try to collect. I don’t want anything updating on my system without my explicit consent. And I really don’t care to use third party tools or have to jump through a bunch of hoops to try to prevent Microsoft from controlling my system. But I digress…

I recently started testing Linux Mint Cinnamon a few days ago via a bootable USB. I was very impressed with the setup and operation. Everything just worked, it detected and installed all needed hardware drivers right away and I was able to immediately start evaluating/testing how the system works and that needed software is available (ex. Firefox ESR, Ungoogled Chromium, Proton Mail Bridge, KeePass, Citrix). For f.lux, software that is used to change the color (and brightness) of your screen based on time of day to help reduce impact to your sleep cycle, I found Linux Mint already has the functionality built-in via an application called Redshift. Otherwise the only exception was QTranslate that is only made for Windows and which I could not find a Linux application that even comes close to the same feature set and functionality. However as a workaround for when I need to use QTranslate I was able to use Oracle VirtualBox to run a Windows 8.1 virtual machine. However keep in mind to do that well a computer needs to have proper hardware in particular a high amount of memory (ex. minimum 16 GB) as each virtual machine also needs/uses some of the system’s memory.

So instead of waiting, I decided to go ahead with a full install of Linux Mint on the SSD on one of the two desktops after taking a Macrium Image of the Windows 8.1 system to fall back on if needed. Everything worked even better and was a lot faster being able to take advantage of the SSD. Then after taking a whole day to configure the system as needed I used Macrium to create an image and since the other desktop has exactly the same hardware I was able to simply restore the image to it. So now both desktops are running Linux Mint Cinnamon with the option to run a Windows 8.1 virtual machine.

There is still a bit of a learning curve to learn more details and tips/tricks with Linux. But Mint made the set up and running of a Linux system very easy. It’s very intuitive and works well out of the box.

5 users thanked author for this post.

Steve, kandb, Charlie, SueW, Microfix

Reply | Quote

While I hadn’t thought of it until your response, for which I say thank you, the idea of Linux Mint Cinnamon is interesting to me.  I’ve lived in the Microsoft Windows world since I started using a computer in 2004 so this concept of moving to Linux Mint is new, a bit daunting and a little exciting too.  I did a search for Linux Mint via Duck Duck Go and read several links and also found at the How-To Geek website that Firefox and Thunderbird are supported, if I understood it correctly, and I may try out Linux in a virtual box.  As with anyone I’m concerned about moving my personal files of videos, mp3 music, pictures, bookmarks, or anything that I routinely use everyday with no problems to the Linux operating system with no loss of content.  If you have other commentary about your use please post as I’ll come back here for the information.  Thank you, again.

3 users thanked author for this post.

Charlie, Mothy, Microfix

Reply | Quote

I understand as I have only used Windows as well (since 1996) and have had very limited exposure to Linux until recently. But the Linux Mint developers have done a great job to make their OS easy to understand and intuitive to use. If you want to give it a test run, no need for a virtual box/machine. Instead see the installation guide here where you can decide what edition (Cinnamon, Mate, or Xfce) to download and how to create a bootable USB drive (or DVD) that will run a live session of Linux Mint and does not affect the existing operating system on your hard drive. However something to keep in mind is that a live session will be slower since it only runs off the USB drive as well as changes made are not permanent and will be lost on a reboot since it does not write anything to the USB drive. If you decide to install Linux Mint on your hard drive you can either dual boot with Windows or backup all your data to an external source then wipe the drive and install Linux Mint. Either option can be done from a live session.

For existing data, I normally keep backups of all of it on a local NAS (network attached storage) device and just copied it back to the SSD after wiping the drive and installing Linux Mint. But if you dual boot, Linux Mint will be able to see the existing data on the drive. For bookmarks, I exported them from Firefox and Ungoogled Chromium to an html file (saved to the NAS) then imported them into the respective web browsers in Linux Mint. For most other existing files (ex. videos, mp3, Microsoft Word/Excel, pdf, etc.) they can be opened in software that is included with Mint (ex. LibreOffice). For data from Outlook that was stored in a PST file, I had to export calendar and contacts to isc files that could then be imported to Thunderbird. The harder part was trying to migrate hundreds of locally saved email. But I ended up using the online account method with my Proton Mail account and their bridge application where I copied the email from Outlook into the Proton Mail account archive folder. Then in Thunderbird on Linux Mint I copied the email back down locally then deleted it from the Proton account since I do not want/normally keep it there. Instead like the PST file before I now backup the Thunderbird profile (that contains the email, calendar, contacts, etc.) to the NAS.

Otherwise all has been working very well on Linux Mint since migrating about 4 days ago. The system is very stable and fast even when running the Windows 8.1 virtual machine. The only issue I’ve encountered was an annoying pop when a new sound would play. But after a quick search online it was easily fixed via a terminal command to prevent the sound card driver from going into power save mode (the pop was caused by the sound card waking up to play the media).

3 users thanked author for this post.

kandb, Charlie, SueW

Reply | Quote

Mothy,

I thank you very much for your ideas and detailed information.  You answered a lot of the concern I have about the install of Linux Mint and integrating the software I currently use.  For all that you get an extra helping of beans in your bucket tonight!

1 user thanked author for this post.

Mothy

Reply | Quote

kandb wrote:

I can upgrade as my PC meets all minimum requirements to do so but I’m very hesitant

W10 will do everything W8.1 did and even look pretty much the same with some free/cheap tools. The only thing less good is updating and we get around that with WuMgr.
Tools: https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/should-i-windows-10/#post-2511967

Make a backup, or two, and upgrade. No downside IMO.

cheers, Paul

2 users thanked author for this post.

kandb, Cybertooth

Reply | Quote

[Charlie]

I went as far as Win 7 and gave up on Window’s Updating hassles. I still use Win 7 mostly offline because I like it.  My first experience with Linux Mint was with Cinnamon which I ran right from a DVD my brother made for me.  You can do that – run it right from a DVD or flash drive before installing it.

I’m still using LMC 19.1 on an old Sony Vaio laptop, and I’ve recently installed LMC 20 on a new SSD on my desktop.  You can be up and running in a short time.  Learning all the in’s, out’s, and commands will take a bit longer, but they’re readily available here and other places on the Web.  I wrote down the commands I use the most which now is mainly the trim command for the SSD’s.

I’m a Linux Mint user and I’m not exactly a computer geek.  It’s better than putting up with Windows update craziness every month!

Experience is that marvelous thing that enables you recognize a mistake as soon as you make it again.

• This reply was modified 2 months, 2 weeks ago by Charlie.

6 users thanked author for this post.

Steve, Mothy, SueW, Microfix, kandb, Cybertooth

Reply | Quote

Linux knows how to handle SSDs, you don’t have to do it manually.

cheers, Paul

1 user thanked author for this post.

Charlie

Reply | Quote

I learn something new almost every day.  Do the older versions like 19.1 know how to handle SSD’s as well?

Experience is that marvelous thing that enables you recognize a mistake as soon as you make it again.

Reply | Quote

Yes. It’s based on Kernel 4.15 which supports NVME SSDs as well – anything above Kernel 3.3.

cheers, Paul

1 user thanked author for this post.

Charlie

Reply | Quote

“It’s better than putting up with Windows update craziness every month!”

Yes, very true! Next week’s Microsoft patch Tuesday will be the first time I have not had to worry about updating any personal Windows systems since they are now running Linux Mint instead. Although I think updating Windows 8.1 has always been much easier and much less risky than newer “Windows as a service” versions. But regardless it’s quite refreshing to not even have to think about it anymore. Instead Linux is just inherently more secure and does not require updates every month. So now after running Linux Mint for just a week I can’t help but think to myself, “Why did I not switch to Linux sooner?”. =D

1 user thanked author for this post.

kandb

Reply | Quote

I am going to upgrading to Windows 10 21H2 via an offline process using an ISO. (21H2 ISO is harder to get, you may have to use 22H2)

I am going to make a Checklist about my upgrade and I will put it in this forum some time in January, if you are interested. I will include my reason for going to 21H2 instead of 22H2.

I like Linux Mint too but have only played with the Live Distro via USB.

Reply | Quote

KP wrote:

(21H2 ISO is harder to get, you may have to use 22H2)

No.

Use Rufus or use Heidoc.net to download any Windows 10 version ISO.

Windows 10 22H2 is stable and recommended.

Reply | Quote

I (very sadly) upgraded to Win10 last night and it worked a-ok. I’m so happy to have this computer keep on keepin’ on. There are a couple of quirks I might need help with but I’ll start a new thread if I can’t figure it out.

So grateful for what I learn here – I did it!

 

1 user thanked author for this post.

kandb

Reply | Quote

Charlie wrote:

I’m still using LMC 19.1 on an old Sony Vaio laptop

Me too.  Its original OS was Vista.  The machine is as slow as molasses compared to my Win10 i7 laptop but it works well enough to serve as my home office PC (mostly web browsing and bill paying).

Reply | Quote

My 2007 Sony Vaio had Vista on it too.  My niece used this laptop in college and then just abandoned it at my sister’s place.  I checked it out and it was in very good condition so I asked if I could buy it from her.  She said I could have it but I paid her what I thought it was worth to me.  I was looking for a good computer to put Linux Mint on and this was definitely it at the time.

It has a 1.66 GHz x 2 Intel Core 2 Duo CPU and only 2 gigs of RAM but it runs LMC 19.1 plenty fast enough for me.  The only thing I did to it was replace the original 200 gig HDD with a 250 gig Samsung 860 EVO SSD.  That really sped it up a lot.  It’s still running great and I use it a lot.

Experience is that marvelous thing that enables you recognize a mistake as soon as you make it again.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Cybertooth

Reply | Quote

<span class=”bbp-author-name”>dbvdb4help,</span>

Well congratulations to you for success on the upgrade!

Reply | Quote

I decided and downloaded Linux Mint Cinnamon 21.1; mounted the file to a USB and downloaded the SHA256sums to a desktop folder in order to verify integrity/authenticity of the download. Following along at https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=291093 and attempting the file integrity check with an open command window I’m met with “too many arguments” in the window after entering what I think is the correct info on the command line. Two arguments are allowed but not three that I’m seeing. I’m dead in the water and haven’t even thought about attempting the authenticity check. HELP! PLEASE! Is this verification process absolutely necessary? Is there a better way to verify the file is not corrupted or hacked by some bad actors and get the software installed and move ahead? Windows Defender and Malwarebytes are happy.

Man! Mama said there’d be days like this… Oh, by the way thank you in advance for your assist!

Signed: Struggling in the cold River City.

Reply | Quote

Try VisualHash.

cheers, Paul

1 user thanked author for this post.

kandb

Reply | Quote

Mr PaulT, et al

Oh yes, I did download/install VisualHash and it worked great for verifying the sha256sum.txt checksum file. Thanks so much! I’d not heard of the software until your response. However, for the sha256sum.txt.gpg signing key signature file I used https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php. That also worked but one, at least this one guy, had to pay very close attention to the process unlike VisualHash which was akin to point and shoot. Comparing the two the parties that wrote VisualHash did very well making it easy for those of us not in the IT trade.

That part is accomplished but I’m still batting around whether I’ll go with Linux. I put the boot file on a USB and the stick I used (16Gb)was working quite normally having used it in the past enough times. After installing the boot file I found the stick was then write protected and no matter the process I could not disable WriteProtect. What a crock of crap! Makes me wonder if I should drop this idea and install W10. The one thing I’m positive of is come Jan 10, 23 Win8.1 will still be cookin’ on this PC. For a little while longer anyways…

Reply | Quote

Another way on Win 8.1: When I installed 7-Zip, there is a CRC SHA option when I right click on a file. In there, is the ability to get the SHA256 hash.

3 users thanked author for this post.

Steve, kandb, Cybertooth

Reply | Quote

Thank you, KP. I appreciate the help.

Reply | Quote

kandb wrote:

After installing the boot file I found the stick was then write protected

How did you burn the IOS to the USB? I generally use Rufus.
Have you tried formatting the USB from Explorer?
Or using partition manager DISKPART to delete the partition?

cheers, Paul

1 user thanked author for this post.

kandb

Reply | Quote

Hello Paul,

I’m continuing to run Win8.1 and want to take time to comment on your response from January 9.  Thank you for the help.  I’ve been working on automobile maintenance/other projects and put the Win8.1 subject aside for awhile.  I did install the Dec, 2022 updates and there is a Jan, 2023 Security Monthly Quality Rollup (KB5022352) in the queue which is probably the very last update we’ll see from Microsoft.

About the write protected USB.  I formatted it for NTFS from Explorer and mounted the iso to the USB, as I recollect.  I thought all went well but discovered the file would not install to the PC and the dreaded term “write protected” displayed.  I have not heard of Rufus although now  I’ve read about it, thanks to you.  I did use DISKPART.  Tried it a couple of times to delete the partition but that didn’t work.  I created a new Registry key for StorageDevicePolicies under HKEY Local Machine and the key/subkey had no effect in clearing the write protection.  As best my memory can say that’s the story.  I feel like I’ll check out Rufus and see what happens when I make time to do so.  But for now Win8.1 is alive and well here.  I’m also waiting to find out how much longer Firefox will be supported.

Bill

 

 

 

Reply | Quote

To have the USB bootable you usually want a FAT32 format.

If the USB stick is stuck as read-only then it may have died – they do that sometimes.

cheers, Paul

1 user thanked author for this post.

kandb

Reply | Quote

Bill, I am going to stick with Windows 8.1 for a while. I will never go to windows 10 or above as I don’t like the telemetry collecting who knows what. Looks like I am moving from Group B to Group W. I also like to have control over my PC and update what, when and if I decide it’s best for me.

I will keep 8.1 so long as I can keep a decent antivirus suite and browser that can be updated. Antivirus should be easy as suites like Norton are still updating definitions for Windows XP. They are in maintenance mode where you get no features but still get definitions. For browsers, currently I use Brave, it will be updated thru February. Once that stops getting updates, I will move on (grudgingly) to Firefox ESR. I got rid of them a couple years ago as I didn’t like the stance they took which made me question a few things. Once their gone I may look into browsers like Waterfox or Palemoon. They kept XP around until 2019 I think. K-Melon is still updating their XP compatible browser to this day. I just want to know more about these to decide how long to use 8.1. Oh and I have Office 2016 which will be updated thru Oct 2025.

I am hoping to find a way to keep security updates for 8.1 if someone can figure out how to allow it to get windows 8.1 POS (thru July or October this year) or server 2012 which might get them thru 2026. After all this I’ll go move to Linux. Not sure which version yet… Looking at a few recommendations.

Windows 8.1 Group B, Brave & Dissenter & Protonmail

3 users thanked author for this post.

Cybertooth, kandb, Charlie

Reply | Quote

Hey there Erik,

As I did with Paul I’m making a few minutes tonight to acknowledge your comments from Jan 11.  Regarding the first paragraph you wrote.  I’m there with you, brother!  I agree wholeheartedly.  About the rest of your mail I’ll read and digest it another day and maybe come back with a thought or two.  You packed a lot in your writing and my tired mind needs some rest and I don’t feel like I’ll do a good job responding just now.  Thanks for helping.

Bill

Reply | Quote

Chrome 109 has stopped support to 8.1 (and 7).
New Paint.NET 5 stopped support to 8.1 (and 7).
The list will grow every day.

1 user thanked author for this post.

kandb

Reply | Quote

“To have the USB bootable you usually want a FAT32 format.”

Apparently Paul, I blew that.

“If the USB stick is stuck as read-only then it may have died – they do that sometimes.”

Yeah, I was aware that a USB can/will set the flag to write protect and there is nothing but electronic recycling as a choice for the user. Bummer though in that the USB has been in service for several years, used a number of times and worked well.
Thanks, again.

Bill

Reply | Quote

Alex5723 wrote:

KP wrote:

(21H2 ISO is harder to get, you may have to use 22H2)

No.

Use Rufus or use Heidoc.net to download any Windows 10 version ISO.

Windows 10 22H2 is stable and recommended.

For the record, HeiDoc’s M$ downloader doesn’t work for W8 or W10.  I can confirm this from a recent failure.  Their forum has several topics about how this needs to be fixed and may be getting ignored or something to that effect.

Meanwhile, I’m about to try the other one that Rick Corbett mentioned.
https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/hurry-and-grab-a-windows-10-license-microsoft-to-stop-selling-on-jan-31/#post-2525022

Win 8.1 (home & pro) Group B, Linux Dabbler

1 user thanked author for this post.

kandb

Reply | Quote

Purg2 wrote:

For the record, HeiDoc’s M$ downloader doesn’t work for W8 or W10.  I can confirm this from a recent failure.  Their forum has several topics about how this needs to be fixed and may be getting ignored or something to that effect.

Downloading from HeiDoc.net works just fine.
Just tested.
Rufus had download problem as Microsoft blocked their script.
This has been fixed.

2 users thanked author for this post.

Purg2, kandb

Reply | Quote

Something very strange going on with that downloader because it still doesn’t work for me after a new download just moments ago.

Sorry to disagree.  I’d much rather not be posting about it.  Am only doing so in the interest of clarity not to be purposely contentious.  Good for you though @Alex5723.

No worries, I’m fairly certain the other one will work.  Maybe in the next day or two, shrugs.

Win 8.1 (home & pro) Group B, Linux Dabbler

Reply | Quote