Read more at TechRepublic: Windows 10: A cheat sheetĮnd of service for Home, Pro, Pro Education, and Pro for Workstations editionsĮnd of service for Enterprise and Education editions But as hardware ages, some devices might not be able to receive updates anymore. When Windows 10 first came out, a Microsoft employee called it 'the last version of Windows.' This doesn't mean that Microsoft will be getting rid of the OS, but that Windows will operate more as a service, with continuous updates instead of a brand new version. The situation is a bit more complicated than that, however.
Major feature updates are released twice a year, typically in March and in September, and Microsoft recommends installing each update as it is available. Windows 10 was released in July 2015, and extended support is slated to end in 2025. Both types include security and program updates, self-help online topics and extra help you can pay for.
For each version of its OS, Microsoft offers a minimum of 10 years of support (at least five years of Mainstream Support, followed by five years of Extended Support).
