- Microsoft is done building features for Windows 10.
- The company has confirmed that version 22H2 is the final version.
- Windows 10 will continue to receive security and bug fixes until 2025.
Windows 10 22H2 is the last and final version of the operating system. According to the official announcement, Microsoft has confirmed that it is not planning to release any more feature updates for Windows 10. Instead, moving forward and until the end of the service on October 14, 2025, the company will only release maintenance updates.
The announcement means the operating system will only receive monthly updates with bug and security fixes and minor enhancements only to keep devices stable and secure, and users won’t receive new features or significant changes.
This change will affect Windows 10 Home, Pro, Education, and Enterprise devices. However, the version of Windows 10 on the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) will continue to receive maintenance updates after the official end of service in 2025. Furthermore, Microsoft has also announced that the next Windows 11 LTSC release will be available in the second half of 2024.
If you still use Windows 10, the company recommends upgrading to Windows 11 as soon as possible to maintain the system supported, secure with the latest patches, and able to access the latest features and improvements.
The upgrade from Windows 10 to the latest version of Windows 11 is free, and you can perform this task in multiple ways. You can perform an in-place upgrade keeping your files, apps, and settings. Or you can switch versions with a clean installation. However, this option will require you to create a backup of your data and reinstall your applications.
While the in-place upgrade takes less time, it’s always best to perform a clean installation to minimize the chances of errors and other problems coming from the previous setup.
Since Windows 11 has been available for more than a year and rumors are starting to pile up about Windows 12, it’s not surprising that the company is beginning to distance itself from Windows 10.
Windows 10 was originally launched on July 29, 2015, and the company made available 12 major updates in the last eight years. Although in 2025, the operating system will have been around for ten years, it will not be the same for Windows 11 since the company rolled back to the three-year release cycle. Windows 11 first became available on October 5, 2021, and it’s expected to be succeeded by Windows 12 sometime in 2024.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].