Windows Phone Is Dead As Microsoft Ends Support

Microsoft has officially pulled the plug on Windows Phone, having ended all support for Windows Phone 8.1. This means that if you’re still using a phone powered by Window Phone 8.1 then you now belong in the same camp as those people persevering with the also-dead Windows XP.

We used to write about Windows Phone. We treated it the same as Android and iOS. And then we realized nobody was reading the articles because no one actually cared. That is until we declared Windows Phone dead, at which point hundreds of people felt compelled to complain.

Now, Windows Phone is actually dead, and this time it’s official…

Microsoft Stops Supporting Windows Phone 8.1

Microsoft ended support for Windows Phone 8.1 on July 11, 2017. Windows Phone 8.1 shared this death date with a host of other older and obscure products no one cares about, including Microsoft Identity Lifecycle Manager 2007, Microsoft ProClarity Analytics Server 6.3, and Microsoft Visual SourceSafe 2005 Standard Edition. None of which anyone has ever even heard of.

In layman’s terms Microsoft ending support for Windows Phone 8.1 means there will be “no new security updates, non-security updates, free or paid assisted support options or online technical content updates”. Which means you’re on your own, even if something goes badly wrong.

While it’s now official, most pundits declared Windows Phone dead ages ago. Which is unfortunate as most of the Microsoft-powered smartphones in the wild are still running Windows Phone 7, Windows Phone 8, or Windows Phone 8.1. None of which are supported any more.

Onwards and Upwards to Windows 10 Mobile

So, Windows Phone is dead, long live Windows 10 Mobile, perhaps?

Unfortunately even Windows 10 Mobile only boasts a negligible share of the mobile market. So Microsoft’s previous attempt at overcoming the might of Android and iOS is dead, and its current attempt is on life support. Maybe Microsoft should just stick to computers from now on.

Do you own a Windows Phone phone? If so, are you bothered by Microsoft ending support for your mobile operating system of choice? Are you going to move onto something new? If so, will it be Windows 10 Mobile, Android, or iOS? Please let us know in the comments below!