Any version of Windows will work, including Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, and others. Each of them has a lifecycle. This cycle starts when the product is initially made accessible to users and concludes when Microsoft ceases providing support for it. When upgrading to Windows 10, being knowledgeable of the product’s lifecycle is beneficial.
Windows 10’s Semi-Annual Channel (SAC), which is controlled by the new Modern Lifecycle Policy, distributes feature updates twice a year. The OS, however, now only receives one feature upgrade a year via the General Availability Channel, beginning with version 21H2. According to the new policy, the operating system is provided as a service, is continuously maintained and supported, and is never regarded as a finished good.
Windows 10 will continue to be supported as long as you use the most recent version with a legitimate licence. Microsoft keeps a version (feature update) available for at least 18 months after it was first made available to the general public. (The operating system’s Enterprise and Education editions get at least 30 months of support.) To keep your device safe and functioning properly within the supported time, you need keep installing cumulative updates (quality updates). Normally, you want to update to the most recent version before the device’s current release is no longer supported.
| WINDOWS 10 VERSION HISTORY | UPDATE NAME | RELEASE DATE | END OF SUPPORT (CONSUMER) * | END OF SUPPORT (BUSINESS)** | STILL SUPPORTED |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 22H2 | 2022 Update | October 18, 2022 | May 14, 2024 | May 13, 2025 | Yes |
| Windows 10 21H2 | November 2021 Update | November 16, 2021 | June 13, 2023 | Jun 11, 2024 | Yes |
| Windows 10 21H1 | May 2021 Update | May 18, 2021 | December 13, 2022 | December 13, 2022 | Yes |
| Windows 10 20H2 | October 2020 Update | October 20, 2020 | May 10, 2022 | May 9, 2023 | No |
| Windows 10 2004 | May 2020 Update | May 27, 2020 | December 14, 2021 | December 14, 2021 | No |
| Windows 10 1909 | November 2019 Update | November 12, 2019 | May 11, 2021 | May 10, 2022 | No |
| Windows 10 1903 | May 2019 Update | May 21, 2019 | December 8, 2020 | December 8, 2020 | No |
| Windows 10 1809 | October 2018 Update | November 13, 2018 | November 10, 2020 (new) May 12, 2020 (old) | May 11, 2021 | No |
| Windows 10 1803 | April 2018 Update | April 30, 2018 | November 12, 2019 | May 11, 2021 (new) November 10, 2020 (old) | No |
| Windows 10 1709 | Fall Creators Update | October 17, 2017 | April 9, 2019 | October 13, 2020 (new) April 14, 2020 (old) | No |
| Windows 10 1703 | Creators Update | April 5, 2017 | October 9, 2018 | October 8, 2019 | No |
| Windows 10 1607 | Anniversary Update | August 2, 2016 | April 10, 2018 | April 9, 2019 | No |
| Windows 10 1511 | November Update | November 10, 2015 | October 10, 2017 | October 10, 2017 | No |
| Windows 10 1507 | Initial Release | July 29, 2015 | May 9, 2017 | May 9, 2017 | No |
| * End of service for Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, Pro Education ** End of service for Enterprise and Education |
Using the Windows Update advanced options, you may be able to delay feature updates depending on the version of Windows 10 that is installed on your machine. Although this option is for businesses, anyone can postpone a feature update to avoid probable errors and other issues that are known to arise in the beginning.
Windows 10 automatically downloads and instals cumulative updates, but it no longer pushes feature updates until your current version is about to reach its end of support. There are numerous ways to check your version if you are unsure about it and determine whether you need to upgrade to be supported.
On October 14, 2025, Microsoft intends to stop offering support for Windows 10. The business hailed Windows 10 as the final iteration of Windows when it was first unveiled in 2015. For the Home, Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions, the lifespan page now specifies that the firm would “continue to support at least one Windows 10 Semi-Annual Channel until October 14, 2025.”
After October 14, 2025, Windows 10 devices will no longer be eligible for security and quality updates, and you won’t be able to get in touch with the manufacturer for support.
If you use a Windows 10 Long Term Servicing Branch (LTSB) edition, the lifecycle is altered. If you don’t like feature updates, Windows 10 LTSB is probably the ideal edition for you. There is no bloatware, no feature updates, and they are editions supported for up to 10 years.
| WINDOWS 10 VERSION HISTORY | DATE OF AVAILABILITY | MAINSTREAM SUPPORT END DATE | EXTENDED SUPPORT END DATE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 | November 16, 2021 | January 12, 2027 | January 12, 2027 |
| Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019 Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2019 | November 13, 2018 | January 9, 2024 | January 9, 2029 |
| Windows 10 Enterprise 2016 LTSB Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2016 LTSB | August 2, 2016 | October 12, 2021 | October 13, 2026 |
| Windows 10 Enterprise 2015 LTSB Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2015 LTSB | July 29, 2015 | October 13, 2020 | October 14, 2025 |
The only customers who can choose Windows 10 LTSB for Windows 10 Enterprise are those who have Volume Licenses or MSDN subscriptions.
