Microsoft has two primary levels of support that for its operating systems — Mainstream, which lasts for the first five years after release, and Extended, which lasts for five years after the Mainstream support ends. In the duration of the mainstream support, Windows receives security updates, support via telephone or chat and other bug fixes. The extended support only includes security updates for the next five years while support via telephone or chat is no longer free of cost. Security updates are of paramount importance as they keep your system at bay from attacks from viruses, spyware, malware such as the recent WannaCry ransomware threat which took control of over 200,000 PCs worldwide. Big corporations often pay Microsoft to release updates with non-security related bug fixes for older versions of Windows which is being used in their systems.
When Will Microsoft End Support for Windows?
In order to be eligible to receive security updates from Microsoft under the extended support, you’ve to make sure that your Windows version is updated to the latest service pack or update. That is the Service Pack 1 for Windows 7, Windows 8.1 for Windows 8 and Version 1703 or the Creators Update for Windows 10. Extended support ended for Windows Vista in April 2017.
The mainstream support for Windows 7 (Service Pack 1) ended on January 13, 2015, and the extended support ends on January 14, 2020.The mainstream support for Windows 8.1 ends on January 9, 2018, and its extended support will end on January 10, 2023.The mainstream support for Windows 10 ends on October 13, 2020, and its extended support will end on October 14, 2025.
In most of the cases, Microsoft extends these dates but will not end support before these dates. Windows XP’s support lasted almost 12 and a half years after it was released and a lot many corporations still receive tailored updates for their systems running on the outdated Windows. The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
