Microsoft says the Windows 10 22H2 which was released in last year’s Fall, to be its final major update release. As for the support on security updates, however, Microsoft states that they will still support the operating system up until 14 October 2025.
The topic of Windows 10 end-of-life (EoL) was brought up by Jason Leznek, principal product manager for Windows servicing and delivery on their Windows IT Pro Blog posted on 27 April 2023. In the blog article titled “Windows client roadmap update”, Jason wrote that the Windows 10 22H2 update is the last major release for this version of Windows.
Windows 10’s 22H2 update was first released to the public back in October 2022 and is meant to replace the previous 21H2 version.
Should I Update to Windows 10 Version 22H2?
Simply put, yes. Microsoft encourages users to update to version 22H2 because the Windows 10 21H2 end of the life cycle has drawn near. Microsoft’s release information page mentions that version 21H2 will be supported up until 13 June 2023 at the maximum.
Therefore, those who opt to stay in 21H2 will stop receiving any more updates including security updates until they update their version of Windows to 22H2 regardless of Microsoft’s official Windows 10 end-of-life roadmap cycle.
For those who are wondering, this is no new news as prior to this, Microsoft has done similar cycles to earlier version releases of Windows 10 with 20H2 being the most recent one to be out of service just last month.
However, this is also highly likely a part of Microsoft’s plan to push its users to transition to Windows 11 as despite being almost 2 years old after its initial release, Windows 11 is still facing lots of resistance with plenty of Windows users deciding to stay in Windows 10.
The latest StatCounter data of Desktop Windows Version Market Share Worldwide shows that only 20,95% of Windows users adopted Windows 11 with 73,46% deciding to stay in Windows 10 despite Microsoft offering its latest Windows as a free update to Windows 10 usersー even 7 which its end of support has already been final on 14 January 2020, 3 years ago.
When is Windows 10 EoL?
The official end-of-life cycle for Windows 10 is due on 14 October 2025, 10 years after its initial release with a note that users should upgrade to its latest feature update, the 22H2.
An exception is made for those who use the enterprise version of Windows (LTSC). The official release information page states Microsoft will be providing mainstream support up until 12 January 2027 with even longer support to the IoT Enterprise users until 13 January 2032; 7 years after the official Windows 10 end of life.
Bottom line
In Microsoft’s official blog post, the principal product manager for Windows servicing and delivery announces that Windows 10 22H2 will be the final major update for this version of Windows. The principal product manager also encourages users to update to Windows 11 which Microsoft provides for free to Windows 10 holders.
Microsoft will still provide security update support up until 14 October 2025 with longer support to the Enterprise usersー extending it to 2 years and up to 7 years after the official support ends.
