ComputerNerd

Here's some good news for Windows 8.0, if you use Internet Explorer, you may be able to get Internet Explorer 11 since Microsoft is finally making it available for Windows Server 2012 (R1 version): https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-makes-final-push-to-rid-world-of-internet-explorer-10/ So, even though it is for Windows Server 2012 NT 6.2 based OS, it shouldn't be too much to work around and make it work on Windows 8.0 Just thought that would be helpful if using Internet Explorer.

I just want to say that it's amazing how we can possibly keep Windows 8.0 x64 installs updated with Server 2012 R1 updates until January 2023, also possibly being able to keep Vista x86 and x64 updated with Server 2008 R1 updates until January 2020, and Windows XP x86 updated with POS Ready 2009 updates until April 2019. @greenhillmaniac That's helpful that you discovered that Windows Thin Client could possibly still get updates a little longer on Windows 7. I just discovered that Windows POS Ready 7 updates could be an option for Windows 7 users since that OS is also supported until October 12, 2021 and that OS comes in x86 and x64. So that could mean both Windows 7 x86 and x64 users could still install security updates on their installations past January 2020. I have a source indicating that the updates have x86 and x64 versions here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=53342 You also can check to see that Windows POS Ready 7 lifecycle on the second link which also shows the one for Windows Embedded 8 Standard. @greenhillmaniac It's also helpful that you discovered about Windows Embedded 8 Standard. I just want to inform that you are required the 8.1 version to still receive updates. You can see from the source below I have indicating that. I have just thought of how the end of support date for Windows Embedded 8.1 Standard being July 11, 2023, this could slightly stretch the lifecycle of Windows 8.1 users wishing to continue installing security updates on their OS beyond normal end of support date. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/search?alpha=Windows Embedded I hope all of this could be helpful for those that would like to keep using their favorite Windows OS's updated with security patches beyond the official end of support dates. Just as long as hopefully Microsoft doesn't take away any loopholes that prevent updates from installing on officially end of life workstation Windows OS's and that functionality doesn't break. It's unfortunate because the inevitable is just being delayed of when a Windows OS no longer is being maintained by security updates in any way and that you have to either think of counter-measures to stay safe online, not connect online, or upgrade to newer version of Windows that is still being supported.

True, this is something that would need to be tested to ensure the updates from Server 2012 released February 2016 patch Tuesday and later months will all work on original Windows 8. As I said before, I emphasized that there is hope (in other words, just speculation). I would recommend testing (in virtual machine or a physical machine that isn't critical) on a clean original Windows 8 install, fully updated up to all January 2016, then patch with Server 2012 updates on the first patch Tuesday on February 9th, 2016 where original Windows 8 patches will be absent. If doing the testing on a main machine with Windows 8, I recommend backing up anything before you proceed. The patches I would watch out for and possibly avoid are the ones designed to fix issues only related to server components. It wouldn't be ideal to break the OS that fixes functionality issues that aren't existent in the workstation counterpart. Security related updates that fix discovered kernel exploits and .NET security updates should be helpful and shouldn't break. Internet Explorer 10 security updates should have no issues either. Backing up before each patch Tuesday is practical since it's unofficially supported and things have potential to break. I mean both Windows 8 and Server 2012 are the same codebase, run NT 6.2 kernel (Windows 8.1 and Server 2012 R2 are NT 6.3). It's just nice knowing that Windows Server 2012 will still be supported all the way until January 2023 and that the server counterparts were treated as separate paid products (as I said in my previous post) unlike the Windows 8 and 8.1 workstation counterparts where the support model itself is treated differently like service packs. Again, hope this is helpful. Even with a little convenience given up, you can possibly still patch original Windows 8 x64 (Windows Server OS's stopped being x86 since Windows Server 2008 R2).

There is some hope about security updates on the original Windows 8 past January 2016. You can download Windows Server 2012 (nonR2) updates from WSUS Offline Update which you can get free here: http://download.wsusoffline.net/ or you can manually download and install each Windows Server 2012 update from Microsoft's website. Windows Server 2012 is supported the same lifecycle as Windows Server 2012 R2 and will be until January 2023. Windows Server 2012 is based on the codebase of original Windows 8. Windows Server 2012 R2 is based on Windows 8.1 codebase respectively. While Microsoft decided with workstation OS Windows 8, they treated 8.1 as the update for it like a service pack that can be had for free. Microsoft made Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 separate paid products, despite the same respective codebases for the workstation OS counterparts. Windows Server 2012 customers can't get Server 2012 R2 for free, they would have to pay. Thought I'd explain the helpful reasoning that Windows Server 2012 (nonR2 version) still gets the updates and original Windows 8 won't much longer. Windows Server 2012 lifecycle info: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/search/default.aspx?alpha=Windows%20server%202012&Filter=FilterNO Hopefully that info will help you enjoy your original Windows 8 with security updates until January 2023 with semi-official support