Last updated: November 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

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

Windows 10 Semi-Annual Channel (SAC) is governed by the Modern Lifecycle Policy (as of January 25, 2018). For more information, see the Microsoft Lifecycle Policy or review the Modern Lifecycle FAQ. 

Feature updates will be released twice a year for Windows 10 via the Semi-Annual Channel (SAC), targeting March and September annually. Updates are cumulative, with each update built upon those that preceded it; you should always install the latest feature update (version), before your current version reaches end of service, to remain supported by Microsoft thru monthly quality updates.

As of September 6, 2018, we have evolved our servicing timeline for customers who need more time to test and deploy Windows 10 Enterprise and Education feature updates. To that end, feature updates will be serviced with monthly quality updates as follows:

* Feature updates will be released twice annual with a target of March and September.

Some editions¹ 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.

¹ 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.

By Windows 10 version, below are the availability and end of service dates segmented by edition.

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. 

Enterprise LTSC/LTSB editions 

Windows 10 LTSC/LTSB editions will continue to follow the Fixed Lifecycle policy. To learn more, see Microsoft Business, Developer and Desktop Operating Systems Policy.

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 Windows 10 Client and Windows Server Semi-Annual Channel Lifecycle Policy update (February 1, 2018) or the Windows 10 release informationpage. To learn more about Windows 10 mobile lifecycle, see Windows 10 Mobile.

Windows 8.1 and 7

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 Business, Developer and Desktop Operating Systems Policy 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 Microsoft Lifecycle Policy. 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

Show all

What is the difference between mainstream support and extended support?

What should I do when the version of Windows I'm using reaches its end-of-support date? 

Where can I learn more about updates and service packs?

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.

* 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

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How long can OEMs sell devices with a prior version of Windows installed?

How long can retailers sell a prior version of Windows?

How long will Volume Licensing be available for a prior version of Windows?

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 Microsoft Lifecycle Policy. 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.

Windows Server

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.