The first version of Windows 10(version 1507) launched on Jul 29, 2015. The final version(version 22H2) which was released on Oct 18, 2022, will end of life(EOL) on Oct 14, 2025, Microsoft officially confirmed.
Official Announcement
Microsoft has announced this through multiple sources:
- Windows 10, version 22H2 end of support date updated
- End of Support for Previous Versions of Windows
- Windows 10 Home and Pro
- Windows 10 Enterprise and Education
Microsoft stated that all editions will continue to receive monthly security updates until that date. Existing LTSC releases will still receive updates beyond that date, depending on their specific lifecycles.
| Edition | Mainstream End Date | Extended End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 | Jan 12, 2027 | – |
| Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 | Jan 12, 2027 | Jan 13, 2032 |
Windows Lifecycle
All products have a lifecycle, and Windows is no exception. We have experienced Windows XP, 7, 8, and 10, and the replacement of these versions is based on the lifecycle.
Generally, a Windows version has a planned lifecycle of 10 years, but actual circumstances may vary depending on market performance.
For example, Windows XP, which began on December 31, 2001, had outstanding performance and a high market share. However, its successor, Vista, performed poorly, leading to insufficient user motivation to upgrade. As a result, Microsoft extended support for XP until April 8, 2014, far beyond its 10-year lifecycle.
| Edition | Start Date | Mainstream End Date | Extended End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows XP | Dec 31, 2001 | Apr 14, 2009 | Apr 8, 2014 |
Since Windows 10, Microsoft has established two update channels for the system.
One is the General Availability Channel(GAC), which is the regular version of Windows 10. It receives feature updates every six months, including new features and improvements. It is suitable for most ordinary users and provides 36 months of support (for the Professional edition).
The other is the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC), which does not include regular feature updates and only receives monthly quality updates. It does not include features in Windows 10 that can be updated through new features, such as Microsoft Edge and built-in Windows applications. A new LTSC version is released every few years instead of every few months. It provides long-term support, including bug fixes and security patches.
What to Do After EOL
When a Windows version reaches End of Support/Life, it no longer receives feature updates and bug fixes, leaving it vulnerable to threats. You can take corresponding measures according to the actual situation.
- If your work/applications are compatible with Windows 11 and your hardware meets the requirements of Windows 11, you can consider upgrading your system.
- If you really need to continue using Windows 10, consider switching to Windows 10 LTSC, which has longer support.
Regardless of your choice, installing reliable antivirus software and being mindful of your usage habits are necessary measures to enhance security.
