WINDOWS 8.1 COULD BE A VIABLE OPTION TO CONSIDER AFTER WINDOWS 7 REACHES THE END OF ITS ESU IN JANUARY 2026

UPDATED ON: 2025-10-22

Windows 8.1 has matured significantly over the years and can be seen as a natural continuation of the Windows 7 legacy.
It strikes a balance between modern features and modest system requirements making it notably lighter than Windows 10.

Key advantages and features include:

• Better multi core/thread support, comparing to older Windows 7
  [due to more modern kernel and upgraded handling algorithms]
• Availability of hacked modern [2024] drivers for GeForce 3090Ti [click #1] | [click #2]
  [despite official hard block and claims that there is no drivers for Windows 8.0/8.1]
• Built-in support for DirectX 11.2
• Native USB 3.0 and NVMe compatibility
• Improved handling of high-DPI displays
• Much less bloatware, telemetry and substantially faster than Windows 10

According to [Wikipedia] , extended support for the Windows 8.1 codebase is scheduled to end in October 2026.
Fortunately, just like Windows 7, Windows 8.1 already has an ESU bypass tool available called [Bypass ESU Blue]
which can help extend its usability beyond official support timelines and receive enterprise grade updates to home machines.
To fix atrocious Windows 8 metro decorations and styling we have to use [Classic Shell] or [Open Shell] .
So, in a nutshell, Windows 7 addicts have plenty of time to think this through until they come up to a final conclusion of their own.

To migrate to Windows 8.1 or go straight to the Linux.