Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8.1 mainstream support to end on July 11 2017 which is 3 years after its official launch. The Windows Phone 8.1 received an update the “Lumia Denim” and later “GDR2” which was the last official update before the launch of Windows 10 Mobile.
Users with Windows Phone 8.1 had to download an Upgrade Advisor app from the Store to be able to update to Microsoft’s Windows 10 Mobile. However according to Microsoft’s Support site the mainstream support for Windows Phone 8.1 is supposed to end on July 11 which is exactly 3 years after the official launch of the previous Windows version.
Microsoft in its note stated:
Microsoft will make updates available for the Operating System, including security updates, for a minimum of 36 months after the lifecycle start date. These updates will be incremental, with each update built on the update that preceded it. Customers need to install each update in order to remain supported. The distribution of these incremental updates may be controlled by the mobile operator or the phone manufacturer from which you purchased your phone, and installation will require that your phone have any prior updates. Update availability will also vary by country, region, and hardware capabilities.
The upgrade path from Microsoft is probably the only way now to upgrade to Windows 10 Mobile if your device is supported. However now with the mainstream support for Windows Phone 8.1 to end on July 11 it now remains to be seen as to whether the Redmond Giant will continue with the upgrade path.
However users with mobiles that have come shipped with Windows 10 Mobile out of the box are the only devices which are up gradable to Microsoft’s latest version Creators Update. Microsoft had removed all Windows Phone 8.1 handsets which include the high end Lumia 930 and 1520 from the eligible list (Curtailed to 13) of upgrade to Windows 10 Mobile’s latest version Creators update.