Windows 10 lifecycle details

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It doesn’t matter if you have Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, or any other version. They all have a lifecycle. This cycle begins when the product is first made available to the public, and it ends when Microsoft stops supporting it. In the case of Windows 10, being aware of the product’s lifecycle is useful to understand when to update and upgrade.

On Windows 10, feature updates are released twice a year through the Semi-Annual Channel (SAC), governed by the new Modern Lifecycle Policy. However, starting with version 21H2, the OS will only get one feature update annually during the second half of the year via the General Availability Channel. This new policy means that the operating system is offered as a service, it is serviced and supported continuously, and it is never considered a complete product.

As long as you are using the current version with a genuine license, Windows 10 will remain supported. Microsoft maintains a version (feature update) for at least 18 months since it was first released to the public, and during this time, you want to continue installing cumulative updates (quality updates) to keep your device secure and running smoothly. Usually, you want to install the latest version before the release on the device reaches its end of service.

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Windows 10 version history Update name Release date End of support
(consumer) *
End of support
(business)**
Still supported
Windows 10 21H2 November 2021 Update November 16, 2021 June 13, 2023 June 13, 2023 Yes
Windows 10 21H1 May 2021 Update May 18, 2021 December 13, 2022 December 13, 2023 Yes
Windows 10 20H2 October 2020 Update October 20, 2020 May 5, 2022 May 9, 2023 Yes
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 Yes
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

Depending on the edition of Windows 10 installed on your computer, it’s possible to defer feature updates using the Windows Update advanced options. While this option is meant for organizations, anyone can delay a new feature update, typically, to avoid errors and other problems that are known to appear during the early days.

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Windows 10 downloads and installs cumulative updates automatically but no longer forces feature updates unless the version you have is nearing the end of service. If you do not know the version you are running, there are many ways you can check and figure out if you need to upgrade to stay supported.

If you use the Windows 10 Long Term Servicing Branch (LTSB) editions, then the lifecycle is a lot different. Windows 10 LTSB is perhaps the best edition if you’re not into feature updates. They are editions supported for up to 10 years, there’s no bloatware, and they don’t get feature updates.

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

Windows 10 LTSB is an option for Windows 10 Enterprise, and it is only available for Volume License customers or with an MSDN subscription.

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