News

Microsoft Extends Windows Phone 8 Support to 2016

Microsoft on Wednesday said it is extending the deadline for Windows Phone 8 support by another 18 months to Jan. 12, 2016.

The 36-month support lifecycle is new to Windows Phone 8, according to this blog post attributed to Tony Mestres, vice president of Windows Phone partner and channel marketing. The previous support lifecycle was only 18 months, which would have meant Windows Phone 8 losing support on July 2014.

"Beginning with Windows Phone 8 we'll make updates, including security updates, available for 36 months," Mestres wrote. "These updates will be incremental, with each update built on the update that preceded it. The mobile operator or phone manufacturer may control the distribution of these incremental updates and update availability may also vary by country, region, and device hardware capabilities."

The support lifecycle for devices running Windows Phone 7.8, the incremental update for older phones that do not meet Windows Phone 8's hardware requirements, is unaffected. Windows Phone 7.8 is scheduled to lose support on Sept. 9, 2014, according to this Microsoft document.

In addition, Mestres announced an upcoming update to Windows Phone 8 that will bring enterprise productivity improvements. The update, which Mestres described as an "enterprise feature pack," will arrive sometime during the first half of 2014.

"This feature pack will provide IT departments with more control over Windows Phones and give their employees a fuller productivity experience," he wrote.

The blog post listed a few features coming in the update:

  • "S/MIME to sign and encrypt email
  • "Access to corporate resources behind the firewall with app aware, auto-triggered VPN
  • "Enterprise Wi-Fi support with EAP-TLS
  • "Enhanced MDM policies to lock down functionality on the phone for more enterprise control, in addition to richer application management such as allowing or denying installation of certain apps
  • "Certificate management to enroll, update, and revoke certificates for user authentication"

About the Author

Gladys Rama (@GladysRama3) is the editorial director of Converge360.

Featured

  • Microsoft Offers Support Extensions for Exchange 2016 and 2019

    Microsoft has introduced a paid Extended Security Update (ESU) program for on-premises Exchange Server 2016 and 2019, offering a crucial safety cushion as both versions near their Oct. 14, 2025 end-of-support date.

  • An image of planes flying around a globe

    2025 Microsoft Conference Calendar: For Partners, IT Pros and Developers

    Here's your guide to all the IT training sessions, partner meet-ups and annual Microsoft conferences you won't want to miss.

  • Notebook

    Microsoft Centers AI, Security and Partner Dogfooding at MCAPS

    Microsoft's second annual MCAPS for Partners event took place Tuesday, delivering a volley of updates and directives for its partners for fiscal 2026.

  • Microsoft Layoffs: AI Is the Obvious Elephant in the Room

    As Microsoft doubles down on an $80 billion bet on AI this fiscal year, its workforce reductions are drawing scrutiny over whether AI's ascent is quietly reshaping its human capital strategy, even as official messaging avoids drawing a direct line.

Most   Popular