Windows 10 lifecycle details

• Windows 10 support has ended for all major versions, including 22H2, 21H2, and older.
• Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 is still supported until 2027.
• Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 is still supported until 2032.

UPDATED 10/15/2025: It doesn’t matter whether you’re using Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, or Windows 11. Every release of Windows has a defined lifecycle. This lifecycle begins when Microsoft first makes the product available and ends when the company stops providing updates and support.

Understanding this cycle is important when planning to upgrade your computer or operating system.

Windows 10 update and support policy

Initially, Windows 10 received two feature updates per year through the Semi-Annual Channel (SAC) under the Modern Lifecycle Policy. However, starting with version 21H2, Microsoft changed the policy to deliver one feature update annually, typically during the second half of the year, via the General Availability Channel.

This means Windows 10 was treated as a service rather than a one-time product, constantly maintained through cumulative (quality) updates and occasional feature updates.

As long as your computer was running a supported version with a genuine license, it continued receiving updates. Microsoft supported each version for at least 18 months after release, or 30 months for Enterprise and Education editions.

To remain secure and stable, users were expected to install cumulative updates regularly and upgrade before their version reached its end of service.

October 14, 2025, end of support

Microsoft officially ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. When it launched in 2015, Microsoft described Windows 10 as “the last version of Windows,” but the official Windows lifecycle page
was later updated to confirm support would continue only “until October 14, 2025” for the Home, Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

The retirement date means that after October 14, 2025, devices running Windows 10 will no longer receive security and quality updates, and you will no longer be able to contact the company for support.

Related

Windows 10 support has ended – LTSC 2021 and IoT LTSC 2021 still supported

Extended Security Updates (ESU) program

To help users transition safely, Microsoft now offers the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program.
This subscription allows consumers, businesses, and schools to continue receiving essential security patches for one additional year, until October 13, 2026.

The ESU program was previously available only to enterprises but is now open to all users who choose to stay on Windows 10 temporarily.

Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) editions

The Windows 10 Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) editions follow a different support schedule.
These versions are designed for environments that need long-term stability (for example, medical, manufacturing, or embedded systems) and do not receive feature updates.

LTSC editions are supported for up to 10 years, include no consumer apps or bloatware, and receive only monthly security and maintenance updates.

Windows 10 LTSC editions are available only through Volume Licensing or with a Visual Studio (MSDN) subscription.

Update October 15, 2025: This page has been updated to ensure accuracy and include the latest information.