Windows in 2023: here is what we know so far
The year 2023 is a major year for the Windows operating system. Microsoft will retire two Windows operating systems in the same month and release new updates for the two versions that it continues to support in that year.
The release of Windows 11 has created a divider in the Windows population caused by stricter hardware requirements for the operating system. While it is possible to overcome those and install and update Windows 11 on unsupported hardware, most device owners and administrators may not go down that route as there are still uncertainties.
Windows 7 and 8.1
Starting with the two oldest versions of Windows that are still in support in December 2022. Microsoft will retire Windows 7, which has been on Extended Security Updates support for three years, and Windows 8.1, on January 10, 2023.
Both operating systems will receive a last security update before Microsoft stops support entirely. There is a chance that highly critical security issues will be patched by Microsoft, even after end of support, but the majority of security issues and bugs won't be addressed anymore by the company.
0Patch plans to release security fixes for Windows 7 for at least two years after support end. These address critical issues only and are available for less than $30 per year.
Windows 10
We don't know much about Microsoft's plans for Windows 10. The operating system has more than three years of support left, but users of it should not expect many new features being introduced in that time.
A Windows 10 2023 Update, or however Microsoft wants to call it this time, is expected around the last quarter of the year 2023.
Windows 11
This is Microsoft's newest client operating system. Released at the end of 2021, Windows 11 has received a single feature update in 2022.
Microsoft will release another feature update for the operating system at the end of 2023, around the same time that the Windows 10 feature update will be released.
Microsoft's approach to feature updates changed with the release of the first feature update for Windows 11. It switched from introducing new features once a year in these bigger updates to introducing changes throughout the year.
The first so-called Moments update was released a month after the release of the 2022 Feature update. It introduced tabs in File Explorer and some other minor features.
Microsoft may release two or even more Moments updates in 2023. The first is expected in the beginning of the year, the second around half-time.
The first Moments update may introduce the long-expected tablet mode for the Windows taskbar, Energy recommendations in Settings, Search in the Task Manager and a few other changes.
Closing Words
Microsoft puts the focus of development on Windows 11, which puts Windows 10 users who prefer stability over changes in a good position. There won't be many changes for that operating system in the coming three years. Microsoft's approach to pushing features out when they are ready on Windows 11 has made management of systems more chaotic. Administrators may need to spend even more time staying in the loop regarding development.
Now You: which version of Windows do you run, and do you plan to make any changes to the setup in 2023?
“Now You: which version of Windows do you run, and do you plan to make any changes to the setup in 2023?”
Just Linux.
Windows 8, using Server 2012 updates until October 2023.
Then Windows 10 LTSC 2019. I have it now setup on a replacement machine, ready to go.
In 2029? I’ll think about it.
Windows 7 here. As Woody Allen states it, “Life is short, especially at the end”. That includes software, LOL.
“This is the end my friend” to echo the lyrics of one of Jim Morrison’s songs. The end of the end. I’ll soon be stuck.
In all seriousness, Mr. H., I do suggest trying Mint. Having read some of your posts you seem more technically capable than I am {if that’s worth anything ;-)}.
I think you would find the transition to be relatively painless. Everything pretty much works out of the box. I have 21.1 running on a 10 year old Dell Inspiron, I doubt your setup would be problematic.
It is amusing to note that Nick, of The Linux Experiment YouTube channel, put up a video called “Mint is Windows, and I’m Fine With That”. I disagree, of course; Mint is in many ways superior to Windows. I guess my bias is showing. :-)
@just an Ed, I’m stuck for the time being, that of my addiction to Windows 7. Linux is indeed a double solution : end of an addiction and the alternative to modern Windows OSs which I have no intention of switching to.
Kind and comforting to read your encouragement associated to hypothetical skills. Truth is I’m only a self-taught man unfortunately, I have no wide technical skills besides, beyond what I’ve learned because concerned : Win7 and Firefox, and still : far from exhaustive. The problem with self-taught knowledge compared to academic is that it relies only on experiences whilst the handicap of academic knowledge is often lack of experience : you know, ’em graduates who enter the Navy and mistake a 3rd World war with a computer navel battle, lol.
Anyway, Linux and more specifically Linux Mint is an advice I’ve heard quite often. Once free of my addiction (and it’ll likely be the hard way : Win7 refused by browsers, apps & software, Websites themselves) i’ll start a new (cyber) life with Linux, yeah :=)
Thanks as well for mentioning Nick’s video “Mint is Windows, and I’m Fine With That” on The Linux Experiment YouTube channel : I’m off to discover it.
For anyone interested in the Win to Linux transition and lazier than I am to find the YouTube links to the channel & video mentioned above by @just an Ed :
The Linux Experiment : [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5UAwBUum7CPN5buc-_N1Fw]
LINUX MINT 21.1 Vera is WINDOWS, and I’m fine with that! : [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEaDbbweDIY]
Really worth it, IMO. The “is WINDOWS” be it a title, be it exaggerated, is a true relief in itself. The video nevertheless demonstrates as I felt it that the title is not far from the truth.
“Now You: which version of Windows do you run, and do you plan to make any changes to the setup in 2023?”
I am running Windows 10 pro version 22H2 9OS Build 19045.2364).
Raspberry Pi 2 & Raspberry Pi 3 and Raspbian OS.
Linux Mint 21.1
Linux Lubuntu.
Because of the continuous crappy behavior of Microsoft over the last three decades, I will keep on working on migrating in 2023 so that before 2025 when the support of Microsoft Windows 10 stops, I will be migrated completely to Linux.
No more Windows 11 or Windows 12 like Windows 8, Vista, Millennium edition, etc. for this user.
Windows 10 is by now the most useful Windows for productivity. W11 without Explorer Patcher or StartAllBack or any other kind of useful tweakers are just an uncomfortable couch. I hope that some day the MS development team will return to W11 a good an usefull taskbar, Explorer, menus and other features that allow people to work! Does it is too much ask, just to work? Thanks for the article. :]
Now You: which version of Windows do you run, and do you plan to make any changes to the setup in 2023?
Windows 8.1 (Pro with Classic Shell/Open Shell) on two Dell desktop systems. I plan to stay on this OS for the foreseeable future as it works very well for my needs. Both systems are very stable and reliable, they just work. I strongly believe a major reason is because I still have complete control over the entire system where nothing changes or updates without my explicit consent, something that will be a requirement for when I eventually move to Linux.
As to end of support for 8.1 next month, I’m not concerned as I consider OS security updates but one layer of security and from my experience not even the most important as I’ve run many old outdated Windows operating systems for long periods of time without a single instance of malware.
Otherwise what will most likely push me to Linux sooner rather than later is Proton Mail dropping support for Windows 8.1 for their bridge application that I use to sync with my email client. The only other issue in moving to Linux that I have identified with the small subset of software I need/use is to find a replacement for f.lux, software that changes the color (and brightness) of your screen based on time of day to help reduce impact to your sleep cycle.
Forgot to add, also need to find a replacement for QTranslate desktop translation software that can translate text from any other application and can be used to compose your own translation if communicating with someone in another language.
Have you looked at Redshift? I find it works well. It’s in most Ubuntu based repos. I’m not sure about Arch based, but it is probably in the AUR. I know that KDENeon has something similar pre-installed.
Translation, I’m uncertain about. I have the “Translate this page” add-on for Firefox, and also have both DeepL and Yandex bookmarked.
@just an Ed
Thank you for the info. I’m leaning toward Linux Mint and looks like Redshift is an option there. For a translation option found Crow Translate (on GitHub). It is somewhat similar to QTranslate but does not have a dark mode yet. So will keep looking for other options. I think at this point I just need to download Linux Mint, put it on a USB thumb drive and start checking everything out. Then eventually at some point install it on the SSD to dual boot with Windows.
Windows 11 EnterPrise 22H2, on a Dell T3600: CPU E5-2687W @ 3.10GHz RAM 32 GB
I would use linux / BSD but they don’t have the software I need and use. Like NordVPN that’s has a GUI.
I have been looking @ https://distrowatch.com, and seeing what they have. So far nothing has caught my attention.
Remaining with Windows 7 longer. Windows 11 is not a productive operating system, which is all I really want. Microsoft’s awful Hello Kitty 11 operating system completely destroys everyone’s workflow and muscle memory.