Microsoft has officially announced the conclusion of support for certain editions of Windows 10 version 21H2, specifically targeting the Enterprise and Education versions. These editions are slated to lose support in June 2024, indicating that devices utilizing these versions will not receive future quality updates, which are essential for fixing bugs and patching security vulnerabilities.
Implications for Users
Once the end-of-service date arrives, devices still running on Windows 10 21H2 will be vulnerable, as they will no longer receive monthly security updates crucial for protecting against newly discovered vulnerabilities. To mitigate the risks of such exposures, Microsoft strongly advises all its customers to either update their existing operating systems to the latest version of Windows 10 or consider upgrading to Windows 11. In a statement, Microsoft emphasized that “these editions will no longer receive security updates after June 11, 2024.” Consequently, post that date, any support requests made to Microsoft will be met with recommendations to update or upgrade the operating system to stay within the support framework.
Updates and Upgrades
In an effort to maintain system security and ecosystem health, Microsoft has initiated the roll-out of the Windows 10 2022 Update (or Windows 10 22H2), which became available for broad deployment in November 2022. This update is automatically extended to all users through Windows Update on devices running Windows 10, version 20H2, or later, assuming no compatibility issues are present. To further facilitate a smooth transition and maintain support, Microsoft is progressively force-installing Windows 11 23H2 on eligible devices nearing or at their end-of-servicing date. This move follows the prior automatic update from Windows 11 21H2 to Windows 11 22H2 before the former version reached its support end date on October 11, showcasing Microsoft's commitment to keeping devices secure and updated.
By actively managing the transition of its user base to newer operating systems, Microsoft ensures not only the security but also the enhanced performance and feature set that newer versions bring. The company's structured and communicated end-of-service policies, alongside automatic updates, aim to minimize vulnerabilities and maintain a robust operating environment for all users.
