As long as you're running
"Windows 8.1 Update" you should be fine with regard to OS updates. Windows 8 and
regular 8.1 (non-"Update") are end of life.
[END QUOTE]
What is W 8.1 Update and regular 8.1 (non-update)???
Got a link to these naming conventions???
W 8.1 is alive till 2023 as is most everything except phone and handheld. Below is the link to EOL page (as of today) for 8.1 and a pic of the page, if I can upload it.
The question is still at the end of the 2nd sentence, ie ... "W7 and not W8.1" It doesn't make logical sense seeing as W7 is toast and W8.1 has 3.5 years left. It's like M$ convinced them into listing it that way to facilitate it's goal of having every user using W10 asap since it will easily run W8.1.
The "eh" at the end (the Canadian equivalent of a Question Mark) making it question-like is what was rhetorical.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/search?alpha=Windows 8.1
Microsoft Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Enterprise | 11/25/2013 | 7/10/2018 | 7/11/2023 | | The product falls under the same lifecycle policy as Windows Embedded 8 Industry Enterprise with support ending 7/11/2023. Customers will have 24 months to move to the 8.1 version after General Availability in order to remain supported. See the Windows 8.1 FAQ for more information. |
Windows 8.1 | 11/13/2013 | 1/9/2018 | 1/10/2023 | | |
Windows 8.1 Enterprise | 11/13/2013 | 1/9/2018 | 1/10/2023 | | |
Windows 8.1 Enterprise N | 11/13/2013 | 1/9/2018 | 1/10/2023 | | |
Windows 8.1 N | 11/13/2013 | 1/9/2018 | 1/10/2023 | | |
Windows 8.1 Pro | 11/13/2013 | 1/9/2018 | 1/10/2023 | | |
Windows 8.1 Pro N | 11/13/2013 | 1/9/2018 | 1/10/2023 | | |
Windows Defender for Windows 8.1 | 11/13/2013 | 1/9/2018 | 1/10/2023 | | This release is known as a Component which follows the Lifecycle of its parent Product, Windows 8.1. |
Windows Embedded 8.1 Handheld | 6/24/2014 | 7/9/2019 | Review Note | | Starting with Windows Embedded 8.1 Handheld, Microsoft will make updates available for the Operating System on your embedded device, including security updates, for a minimum of 5 years after the lifecycle start date. These updates will be incremental, with each update built on the update that preceded it. Customers need to install each update released in order to remain supported. Distribution of the updates may be controlled by the mobile operator or the phone manufacturer from which you purchased your phone. Update availability will also vary by country, region, and hardware capabilities. Migration guidance can be found here. |
Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro | 11/25/2013 | 7/10/2018 | 7/11/2023 | | The product falls under the same lifecycle policy as Windows Embedded 8 Industry Pro with support ending 7/11/2023. Customers have 24 months to move to the 8.1 version after General Availability in order to remain supported. See the Windows 8.1 FAQ for more information. |
Windows Embedded 8.1 Pro | 11/13/2013 | 1/9/2018 | 1/10/2023 | | The product falls under the same lifecycle policy as Windows 8 with support ending 1/10/2023. However, customers have 24 months to move to Windows 8.1 after General Availability in order to remain supported. See the Windows 8.1 FAQ for more information. |
Windows Phone 8.1 | 6/24/2014 | 7/11/2017 | Review Note | | Microsoft will make updates available for the Operating System, including security updates, for a minimum of 36 months after the lifecycle start date. These updates will be incremental, with each update built on the update that preceded it. Customers need to install each update in order to remain supported. The distribution of these incremental updates may be controlled by the mobile operator or the phone manufacturer from which you purchased your phone, and installation will require that your phone have any prior updates. Update availability will also vary by country, region, and hardware capabilities. See the Windows Phone 8.1 FAQ for more information. |
Windows RT 8.1 | 11/13/2013 | 1/9/2018 | 1/10/2023 | | The product falls under the same lifecycle policy as Windows 8 with support ending 1/10/2023. However, customers have 24 months to move to Windows 8.1 after General Availability in order to remain supported. See the Windows 8.1 FAQ for more information. |