Windows lifecycle fact sheet

Last updated: February 2018

Every Windows product has a lifecycle. The lifecycle begins when a product is released and ends when it's no longer supported. Knowing key dates in this lifecycle helps you make informed decisions about when to update, upgrade or make other changes to your software. 

Windows 10 Semi-Annual Channel (SAC) is governed by the Modern Lifecycle Policy (as of January 25, 2018). Built as a service, Windows updates are cumulative, with each update built upon all of the updates that preceded it; a device needs to install the latest update to remain supported. For more information, see the Microsoft Lifecycle Policy or review the Modern Lifecycle FAQ. 

Home, Enterprise, Education, Pro, and Pro for Workstation editions 

Windows 10 will have feature updates released twice a year via the Semi-Annual Channel (SAC). Your device needs to install the latest version (feature update) before your current version reaches end of service to help keep your device secure and have it remain supported by Microsoft. Each Windows 10 version will be serviced with quality updates for up to 18 months from availability. It is important that all quality updates are installed to help keep your device secure.

Some editions can defer semi-annual feature updates at Settings  >Windows Update >Advanced options or via a policy that an organization's management system may provide to the device. On devices that haven't been configured for deferral, you'll need to install the latest feature update to help keep your device secure and have it remain supported by Microsoft. New versions may be automatically installed prior to the end-of-service date of the current version on your device.*

* Home edition does not support the deferral of feature updates and will therefore typically receive a new version of Windows 10 prior to the end-of-service date shown.
** Enterprise and Education editions for versions 1511, 1607, 1703 and 1709 will receive an additional 6 months of servicing after the end of service date.
Note: Not all features in an update will work on all devices. A device may not be able to receive updates if the device hardware is incompatible, lacks current drivers, or is otherwise outside the original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) support period. 

Servicing extension for Enterprise and Education editions

Windows 10 version 1511, 1607, 1703 and 1709 will continue to receive monthly servicing updates at no-cost for a period of 6 months past the end of service dates.  The security-only updates are available through all normal channels including: Windows Update (WU/WUfB), WSUS, the Update Catalog, and enterprise management solutions and are delivered as standard cumulative update packages.  
Some versions of Enterprise and Education editions will have an option for an additional paid extension for eligible volume licensing customers. Customers should reach out to their Microsoft account team for more information about a paid program. 

Enterprise LTSB editions 

Windows 10 LTSB editions will continue to follow the Fixed Lifecycle policy. To learn more, please see Microsoft Fixed Policy Details.

Note: Not all features in an update will work on all devices. A device may not be able to receive updates if the device hardware is incompatible, lacks current drivers, or is otherwise outside the original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) support period. 

For more information on Windows 10 lifecycle, see Move to Modern Lifecycle or the Windows 10 release information page. To learn more about Windows 10 mobile lifecycle, see Windows 10 Mobile.

Prior releases of the Windows operating system are governed by the Fixed Lifecycle Policy. This policy comprises two phases: mainstream support and extended support. See Microsoft Fixed Policy Details for more details. 

* Support for Windows 7 RTM without service packs ended on April 9, 2013. Be sure to install Windows 7 Service Pack 1 to continue to receive support and updates.

Prior versions of Windows, including Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, have limited support when running on new processors and chipsets from manufacturers like Intel, AMD, NVidia, and Qualcomm. For more information, see the Microsoft Lifecycle FAQ. A device may not be able to run prior versions of Windows if the device hardware is incompatible, lacks current drivers, or is otherwise outside the original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) support period.

Windows 8.1 and 7: questions and answers

End of sales

End of sales refers to the date when a particular version of Windows is no longer shipped to retailers or original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Examples of OEMS are Dell and Toshiba, PC manufacturers who often preinstall Windows software.

This table gives end-of-sales dates for specific Windows operating systems.

* Note that when the retail software product reaches its end-of-sales date, it can still be purchased through an OEM (the company that made your PC) until it reaches the end-of-sales date for PCs with Windows preinstalled.

End of sales: questions and answers

Windows downgrade rights

To use prior versions of Windows software on PCs installed with newer versions, it is possible for consumers to obtain a license for downgrade rights. These downgrade rights will vary depending on whether the software was acquired via Volume Licensing, OEM, or FPP. To learn more about these rights, review the downgrade rights licensing brief. Prior versions of Windows, including Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, have limited support when running on new processors and chipsets from manufacturers like Intel, AMD, NVidia, and Qualcomm. For more information, please see the Microsoft Lifecycle FAQ. A device may not be able to run prior versions of Windows if the device hardware is incompatible, lacks current drivers, or is otherwise outside of the original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) support period.

To learn more about Windows Server related to Windows 10, see Windows Server release information. See the following table for service pack support information prior to Windows 10.