You may have heard some of the frantic talk about the upcoming end of Windows 10. Rest assured, Windows 10 does not have an end of life in 2025, and will continue to function as an operating system.
The confusion probably comes from Windows transitioning from offering their system as a product to deploying Windows 10 as a service.
Here is what you need to know about Windows 10, all of those update notifications you’re receiving, and how to ensure that your computer systems stay secure.
Windows Got a Makeover
Windows 10 was first released in July 2015. It has gone through various updates—or versions—but the operating system has remained Windows 10 since it was deployed.
This is because Windows 10 was released “as a service.”
This refers to Windows shifting from a singular product to an ongoing, ever-evolving service.
Out with the Old
Before Windows 10, the operating system was built and packaged in one neat bundle.
Every 3 to 5 years, Windows would develop a new product, such as Windows XP, Windows 7, and Windows 8. Once the new product was released, it was a single purchase, and there were few minor updates called Service Patches until the next Windows product was announced.
This created a variety of problems for Windows users.
Other than Service Patches, security issues and other bugs would not be patched for years until the next Windows product was released. An unpatched system is a severe risk because unpatched vulnerabilities increase the likeliness of hackers infiltrating your computer.
Each new Windows product was an overhaul of the operating system as well, often changing to an entirely new user experience and interface. When a user did purchase the newest Windows system, the old system needed to be completely uninstalled before the new product could be downloaded.
Windows 10 offered something much more efficient and fast-paced as a service.
A New Design
“Windows as a service” refers to the new way of building, deploying, and servicing Windows.
Instead of making another Windows product, Windows 10 is an ever-evolving system that gets feature updates, new designs, security upgrades, and everything else that would come with a new product continuously without any new purchases or installments.
Twice a year, in fact, Windows 10 gets a fresh update that keeps it at the forefront of design and functionality.
This is due to technology advancements that have cut deployment time frames from months to weeks. Faster deployment means keeping pace with more frequent updates that keep devices current.
In the update process for Windows as a service, it automatically preserves all apps, data, and settings, thus doing away with the cycle of uninstalling and reinstalling.
Taking Inspiration
Windows as a service may sound familiar. This is probably because Mac products have been using this method of updating much longer than Windows and their new transition.
The upgrade from macOS Mavericks to macOS Yosemite was as simple as opening your computer settings panel. Each major version of macOS has been deployed as a fluid, continuous update available to users as long as their computer had the capacity to run the new platform.
Windows has finally taken this streamline approach to their operating system with Windows 10.
The Confusion
So how did the rumor of a Windows end of life start?
One of the more recent versions of Windows 10—Enterprise 2015—has a retirement date of October 14, 2025. However, this by no means indicates the final goodbye of Windows 10.
Each update applied to Windows 10 has a lifecycle, and gives the user 18 months of support after the installment of that update. If the user doesn’t update their Windows again within that 18 months, then their computer will be out of date and will stop receiving security patches.
If your system does not update, this Enterprise end of life leaves your computer vulnerable to security breaches and malfunctions.
But remember, Windows 10 gets updated twice a year, so there are plenty of opportunities to update your system within 18 months. Windows 10 also deploys feature updates automatically unless specified otherwise, so staying secure is a breeze.
Simply put, just ensure that your devices are updated to the latest version/patch of Windows 10 and you will never see an end of life for your operating system!
We Are Always Here to Help
Strategy is always here to help you navigate your technology needs, and we have experts who can take you further into the details of your operating system.
If a new Windows update has broken something in your system, replaced a function with something completely new, or left you with any questions or technology concerns, contact us to discover how we can help your business thrive.
