Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Microsoft confirms it's dropping Windows 8.1 support
InfoWorld ^ | April 14, 2014 | Woody Leonhard

Posted on 04/15/2014 10:53:03 AM PDT by Utilizer

In what is surely the most customer-antagonistic move of the new Windows regime, Steve Thomas at Microsoft posted a TechNet article on Saturday stating categorically that Microsoft will no longer issue security patches for Windows 8.1, starting in May. Call this the "let them eat cake" approach to support for Microsoft's flagship operating system.

...

Yes, you read that right: With three weeks left until Windows 8.1 end of support -- until the next round of security patches appear with Windows 8.1 not included in the party list -- Microsoft still hasn't figured out how to get Windows 8.1 Update out to the corporate update distribution channel.

There's been progress on one (rarely reported) error: Microsoft has a patch you can run if you're hitting error 80071A91 when installing Windows 8.1 Update. It's detailed in KB 2939087.

Tell me again Microsoft how you're cutting off Windows 8.1 updates so that "customers benefit from the best support and servicing experience"? Pshaw -- it sounds to me more like some customer-tone-deaf person in the organization has decided to minimize the patching budget by cutting off the company's most recent customers.
...

(Excerpt) Read more at infoworld.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: ms; os; update; windows; windows8; windows81
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-62 next last
To: BwanaNdege

Not that I don’t believe you, but could you provide references to where you read that they are pro-gay marriage, pro-Obamacare or “green” to a fault? Just curious.


41 posted on 04/15/2014 4:39:10 PM PDT by rarestia (It's time to water the Tree of Liberty.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Resettozero
I tried installing BitDefender Free...

That is a Windows (TM) program. It will run under Linux about as well as it would under a Mac or OS/2 Operating system -in other words; it will not. Linux does not need windows or dos programs to run. That is the same as saying that you tried to install MS Office in your Linux machine but it won't work. More to the point, bitdefender is not necessary on a Linux machine.

42 posted on 04/15/2014 5:30:41 PM PDT by Utilizer (Bacon A'kbar! - In world today are only peaceful people, and the mooslimbs trying to kill them-)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: Resettozero

Mepis, Knoppix, Kanotix, Linux Mint, PC Linux OS...


43 posted on 04/15/2014 5:32:59 PM PDT by Utilizer (Bacon A'kbar! - In world today are only peaceful people, and the mooslimbs trying to kill them-)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Resettozero
...I searched for BitDefender Free for Ubuntu and there apparently are ways to install it on the Zorin 8.1 distro.

It might, under Wine, but it is not needed for almost all instances of Linux setups. You might be able to run a few previous versions of ms office as well (probably ms works would give better odds) but in the same way that linux has its own versions of "Office" available such as LibreOffice for one, the windows programs are not meant to run under 'nix OS's.

44 posted on 04/15/2014 5:38:49 PM PDT by Utilizer (Bacon A'kbar! - In world today are only peaceful people, and the mooslimbs trying to kill them-)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: Utilizer
More to the point, bitdefender is not necessary on a Linux machine.

Good to hear. But, still...

"Linux is no longer immune to security threats" http://www.bitdefender.com/business/antivirus-for-unices.html

and

"Install free Bitdefender antivirus on ubuntu"

http://ubuntuguide.net/install-free-bitdefender-antivirus-on-ubuntu

(The intent of my postings got lost. It was to replace XP with a free OS as good as XP that home non-professional users familiar only with XP could use for a year or two. Thanks anyhow.)
45 posted on 04/15/2014 5:53:29 PM PDT by Resettozero
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: Resettozero
"Linux is no longer immune to security threats" http://www.bitdefender.com/business/antivirus-for-unices.html and "Install free Bitdefender antivirus on ubuntu" http://ubuntuguide.net/install-free-bitdefender-antivirus-on-ubuntu

There will always be new versions of malware appearing that can endanger any machine, the vast majority of which will target Windows machines for reasons which I will not bother to rehash here. If you are looking for an OS that is as virus-proof as possible, set up any pristine OS install on a machine and never connect it to the Internet or allow any new programs to be installed on it. Otherwise, you are always taking a chance.

Linux is more secure than the Win-xx OS in many ways, however besides the fact that Linux is much less likely to be infected than an equivalent Windows machine there is the fact that thousands of coders all over the world examine it closely before releasing a certified version to the public, and there are also thousands of coders constantly scanning for problems and issuing fixes for any that might be found

Indeed, many times it has been the 'nix crowd that has identified a bug and issued it before the windows people even knew there was a problem. Sometimes MS did not even bother to post the fix and simply allowed the public patches to be undenied by the company and merely included in a later patch.

All this has been stated many times before on many forums and many threads. In a nutshell, you do not need or want to run any windows programs on a linux computer, and the majority of them will not run even under an emulater. You do not need any third-party virus scanners, photo editors, drawing programs, DVD and CD burning software, etc. to perform pretty much all tasks by default in Linux.

Yes, learning to run Linux is having to learn to use a sometimes-different way of doing things and often under different names, but the same is true about any instance when you "upgraded" your Windows computer to a newer version. Think about it: is the way you use your XP box the same way as what was necessary to run Windows 95?

Feel free to remain with the Windows version you are most familiar with. Whether you need to upgrade or simply get to the point eventually that you realize that you have to, then you are going to have to learn a new interface (desktop) anyway.

At least with linux, you will not be FORCED to purchase a newer OS AND purchase newer third-party programs to be able to use your computer again -or even a new one.

Besides having disc-burning, graphics, and office included by default in Linux; if you do not like your desktop (interface) you can freely change to any of dozens of others at any time you wish. Free. No charge.

46 posted on 04/15/2014 6:21:01 PM PDT by Utilizer (Bacon A'kbar! - In world today are only peaceful people, and the mooslimbs trying to kill them-)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: Utilizer
Ahem... "...identified a bug and issued A FIX..."

Typing too fast.

47 posted on 04/15/2014 6:36:30 PM PDT by Utilizer (Bacon A'kbar! - In world today are only peaceful people, and the mooslimbs trying to kill them-)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: Utilizer

Please understand: I wasn’t looking for a sales presentation on Linux. But I read your post anyway.

The intent of my postings ON THIS THREAD got lost more than once. My stated intent was to replace XP, which you have not helped me to do, with a free OS as good as XP that home users familiar only with Windows XP could understand, use for a year or two, and be able to install compatible programs they want as they can now in XP without resorting to command lines. (Picture someone elderly without your amount of education.)

In other another post, you listed several names of Linux distros or offshoots or whatever you Linux users call them. I recognized the names you listed but name recognition alone did not help me.

Please; no more lectures to me on the benefits of Linux in general. (Whew)
I’ll look elsewhere. Maybe I’ll find a suitable free OS; perhaps not.


48 posted on 04/15/2014 6:52:04 PM PDT by Resettozero
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: Resettozero

OK. Sorry and good luck.


49 posted on 04/15/2014 6:56:26 PM PDT by Utilizer (Bacon A'kbar! - In world today are only peaceful people, and the mooslimbs trying to kill them-)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies]

To: Utilizer

Thank you.


50 posted on 04/15/2014 7:01:33 PM PDT by Resettozero
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: Revolting cat!

So what do we use now? XP9?


51 posted on 04/15/2014 8:02:04 PM PDT by a fool in paradise (The new witchhunt: "Do you NOW, . . . or have you EVER , . . supported traditional marriage?")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Utilizer

My daughter installed the 8.1 update on her laptop and lost all internet connectivity. I managed to fix it but only through dumb luck.


52 posted on 04/15/2014 8:16:49 PM PDT by Some Fat Guy in L.A. (Still bitterly clinging to rational thought despite it's unfashionability)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Utilizer; All

This article explains pretty well

Windows 8.1 without Update will no longer receive security updates
http://betanews.com/2014/04/15/windows-8-1-without-update-will-no-longer-receive-security-updates/


53 posted on 04/15/2014 8:19:59 PM PDT by Lurkina.n.Learnin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Some Fat Guy in L.A.

You might want to consider a simple Kiosk distro on a CD for the next time that happens and you simply want to get online at the time. :)


54 posted on 04/15/2014 8:38:03 PM PDT by Utilizer (Bacon A'kbar! - In world today are only peaceful people, and the mooslimbs trying to kill them-)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 52 | View Replies]

To: Lurkina.n.Learnin
Ummm... I thought I mentioned that in post number 9, more clearly illustrated in post 24 by Calvin.

8.1 is not the same as 8.1 Update, it seems...

55 posted on 04/15/2014 8:59:33 PM PDT by Utilizer (Bacon A'kbar! - In world today are only peaceful people, and the mooslimbs trying to kill them-)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 53 | View Replies]

To: Utilizer

Is this the nearly 900mb Single Download Update the Idiots at MS released the other day?


56 posted on 04/15/2014 9:54:19 PM PDT by cva66snipe ((Two Choices left for U.S. One Nation Under GOD or One Nation Under Judgment? Which one say ye?))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: cva66snipe
Is this the nearly 900mb Single Download Update the Idiots at MS released the other day?

Considering the appearance that this is more like a New OS Install than a simple Security Update, not to mention the fact that you have to re-register with MS that you have a Certified Copy and you are Not Just Another Software Thief...

At a guess... although I am not a 'doze expert, it might indeed be the case. *grin*

But I am not an expert, after all. *smile*

57 posted on 04/15/2014 10:02:47 PM PDT by Utilizer (Bacon A'kbar! - In world today are only peaceful people, and the mooslimbs trying to kill them-)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 56 | View Replies]

To: rarestia

“Not that I don’t believe you, but could you provide references to where you read that they are pro-gay marriage, pro-Obamacare or “green” to a fault? Just curious.”

Perhaps I was guilty of hyperbole, but here are a few references which prompted my statements:

http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/microsoft-commercial-reveals-companys-outlook-gay-marriage-148015

“Microsoft has juxtaposed becoming a professional stuntman with getting gay married in its latest Outlook.com ad from Deutsch in New York. Much like the Kindle spot, the lesbian wedding here is treated as nothing out of the ordinary. That’s right, a truck explodes (you’ll remember the stunt driver from the launch ad for this campaign), and then some lesbians get married, and it’s no big deal—as the happy Outlook.com user congratulates her newly married friend, pressing her hands together with an expression of sheer delight. Truly, when juggernaut advertisers decide that endorsing gay marriage won’t hurt their bottom line, there’s been a sea change in society.”

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/21/microsoft-gay-marriage_n_1220800.html

“Microsoft Endorses Gay Marriage In Washington State”

http://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-google-folks-are-top-sources-for-obama-funds/

“Microsoft, Google folks are top sources for Obama funds”

http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2013/03/01/as-obamacare-kicks-in-software-companies-eye-big-health-data/

“As Obamacare Kicks In, Microsoft Eyes Big Health Data “

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2012/02/16/426351/microsoft-disavows-heartland-institutes-climate-denial-says-contributions-just-free-software-licenses/

“Microsoft’s position on climate change remains unchanged. Microsoft believes climate change is a serious issue that demands immediate, worldwide attention and we are acting accordingly.”

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/microsoft-green/

“Microsoft is a proud signatory of the Climate Declaration”


58 posted on 04/15/2014 11:55:03 PM PDT by BwanaNdege
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: BwanaNdege

Fair enough. Thank you!


59 posted on 04/16/2014 4:39:59 AM PDT by rarestia (It's time to water the Tree of Liberty.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 58 | View Replies]

To: Utilizer

The headline and the sub-headline are each at odds with the other???


60 posted on 04/16/2014 6:42:57 AM PDT by Cheerio (Barry Hussein Soetoro-0bama=The Complete Destruction of American Capitalism)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-62 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson