Windows Client Overview

The current Windows client release is Windows 8.1 Update, which became generally available in Apr. 2014, following the initial release of the OS in Oct. 2013. The Update primarily offers user interface changes enhancing the usability of the Windows desktop. Windows 8.1, a major update to Windows 8, is designed for devices based on the AMD or Intel x86 or x64 processor architectures. The support life cycle for Windows 8.1 is the same as Windows 8; it does not extend that support life cycle.

Internet Explorer 11 (IE11) is included with Windows 8.1; therefore, its general availability date is Oct. 2013. IE11 for Windows 7 became available in Nov. 2013. The Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 versions of IE11 were updated in Apr. 2014 to add Enterprise Mode IE, a Web site compatibility feature available only to enterprise customers.

To ensure Windows 8.1 remains competitive for rapidly evolving devices, such as tablets (not shown), Microsoft will probably continue releasing updates on a 6- to 12-month basis. The next version (shown in the illustration as 8.2) is expected to be available in the last quarter of 2014 or the first half of 2015 and will likely deliver the Start menu for desktop users and the ability to run Windows Store apps in a resizable window. The date this version is available would affect the support life cycle shown.