Please release Lightroom Classic CC and Photoshop versions that are compatible with Windows 8.1

Hey I don't think that will happen. If you machine runs 8.1 you should be able to install 10. Afraid its black friday. Time to upgrade.

What you want WILL NOT EVER HAPPEN.

If I was running Win 8.1 I certainly would upgrade to Win 10. 
Win 8/8.1 was one of the worst things MS ever produced. Computer companies lost tons of money because no one wanted Win 8/8.1.

You can still upgrade to Win 10 for free and I suggest you do so.

This is not going to happen. Adobe does not do that just to annoy you, there is a reason why an older OS is no longer supported after a while. That reason is that the latest versions of Lightroom and Photoshop make use of new features that are not in that old OS, or that Adobe is working on new features that require the newer OS.

Why is Windows 7 supported if Windows 8.1 is not? I would like to know what exactly are the features that work in Windows 7 but not in Windows 8.1? Or is that just some marketing bullshit?

Year ago I bought a new processor by Intel and it said Windows 8.1 isn't supported and I can't install any updates to Windows. After installing an unofficial patch everything works fine and I haven't had any problems at all. So it was just Microsoft and Intel trying to force people to update to Windows 10. Does Adobe have a same kind of agreement with Microsoft as Intel has?

I know Windows 8.1 is unpopular but I haven't had any problems and at the moment I don't have time to upgrade to Windows 10. After all Windows 8.1 is still supported by Microsoft until 2023. As a paying customer I'm very disappointed Adobe dropped Windows 8.1 even though it continues to support Windows 7. What is the great difference that makes new versions to run in Windows 7 but not in Windows 8.1?

I would even be happy to use old version of Lightroom but when I'm trying to use Map, it says it isn't supported any more on the old version. At least make the map working on old versions or explain why it is not possible. I'm really considering if I should continue my subscription or not.

I think the main difference between Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 is the number of users (much more in Win7).
Qualifying a software on a OS version requires a lot of testing (non regression, new features), which cost money. I suspect that Adobe decided the the market for Windows 8.1 is too small to justify the expenses of qualifying. This is just my thouht, of course and doesn't mean I agree with the Adobe's decision.
For the map no longer working, it's a Google change in the API that makes LR6 no longer compatible. The new API has been implemented in the suported version of LR (7 and now 8), but not in version 6 which is no longer supported/developped.

And just to be clear I'm not using pirated versions actively. Just wanted to try is it true that the new versions wouldn't run on my machine because of Windows 8.1. And obviously I couldn't try the official versions because of Adobe making stupid decisions.

Agreed. I was rather surprised Adobe dropped support for 8.1 already. It's not THAT old.
I've been running 8.1 for a couple years, and it's a very smooth and problem free OS from my experience. I don NOT want to change to 10. 

It also poses a question: Is there any way to "get out" of the subrscription, since I won't be getting any more updates on PS and LR - but still keep my PS CC2018? 

Adobe has a great product. But unfortunately the company seems to be arrogant and stubborn. The problem with the map is annoying but it's not even that big deal. I'm more annoyed how Adobe handles (or don't handle) customer service and don't seem to care customers that don't make enough money for Adobe.

I have already removed all illegal versions I tested and I don't want to use any of them. I use my perfectly legal versions I have installed from Creative Cloud. But I have seen on my own computer that CC 2019 apps can be run on Windows 8.1. At least I would like to hear a technical explanation why then Adobe has prevented installing CC 2019 to Windows 8.1? Not just some vague excuses like this: "To take advantage of the continued developments in hardware and software, Creative Cloud 2019 apps do not support some older OS versions."

I would understand if the new apps wouldn't run at all on older systems but they are available for Windows 7. I have heard a rumor there is a bug in one of the system libraries on Windows 8.1. But even if it's true I have been using Adobe software on Windows 8.1 for years without any problems. So if I ever encounter that bug then it's my problem. But shouldn't it be my choice which OS I use and if I'm willing to take that risk?

Windows 8.1 may not be very popular but it's much better than most people say and it's been very stable over the years. Surely not the "worst thing MS ever produced". I think the biggest mistake MS made was replacing the start menu with start screen. That was the reason I didn't want Windows 8 myself at first but after using it for a while that hasn't been bothering me at all. Now I have a couple of computers running Windows 8.1 with all the settings and software adjusted as I want. So upgrading OS is not that simple it could be done at any time and I thought I had still a lot of time to do it when it suits me better.

Also Adobe knowing the Google API would stop working and Windows 8.1 users unable to update to LR8, couldn't they have fixed the map in LR7?

At least they could have given some notification so that I wouldn't have wasted my time. Now when I tried to use the map it said I need to update but when I went to Creative Cloud I didn't get any updates. Then I went to this page: https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/creative-cloud-application-recognizing-available.html I did all the steps and spent the whole day uninstalling and installing stuff and wondering why it doesn't help. Ok, there is a small note on that page about system requirements. But it isn't the first thing that comes to mind that maybe Adobe has dropped the support for OS that is still supported 4 years by Microsoft. Maybe there should be Solution 6: Make sure you don't use Windows 8.1.

Apparently Adobe needs to invest in customer service and have more employees if no one has time to answer my questions. But probably they just don't care that much about smaller customers.

Interesting to hear you installed and ran CC2019 without any problems. I think they should release new Photoshop updates for Win 8.1, but with a caveat and a statement saying users might run into problems, and that the product isn't fully supported for the OS - but let us decide for ourselves if we want to take that risk or not! 

Hello,

the last stable working Map Module was in Version 7.4
With 7.5 all the problems began, that Adobe is not willing or wanting to fix. At last all Users of LR 7 Versions where kicked out of the service completely. This is such a Bull**** . There can't be technical things, because it was operational until end of November.

The thing is: Users who need that Map module can't use the 7.4 Version any longer. LR Classic 7.4 was the last Version, that has fulfilled all my needs and was stable in all aspects. It is so annoying that users cant' use it any longer because of the wantonly destroyed Map Module!


Regards
Mikel

Can someone please let me know how to upgrade from Windows 8/8.1 to Windows 10 for free? Somebody mentioned in this post earlier.

Have you ever used Google?
upgrade to Win 10 for free.

https://www.google.com/search?q=upgrade+to+Win+10+for+free&oq=upgrade+to+Win+10+for+free&aqs...

https://www.zdnet.com/article/heres-how-you-can-still-get-a-free-windows-10-upgrade/