End of Support for Windows 10?

[Deleted]

Okay I just mentioned that I absolutely lost track of what the fuck is going on with the Windows OS.

After the desaster of Vista and 8 I simply stayed at Windows 7 for the last years. I simply ignored 10 as long as I can but the end of life for the current Windows OS is just confusing me. I need my Windows PC for entertainment, but everywhere else I administer my own ArchLinux Systems.

Were there not talks about "Windows as a Service" - having Win10 as the final mayor version of Windows and keeping it alive by constant updates that will not require you to reinstall a OS and instead just update the system akin to kernel updates in Linux?

What does "Client OS" even mean? Will Microsoft try, after Win10, to decentralize the OS of my computer to the internet (I highly doubt that)?

I really at some point just lost track of all this marketing bullshit. Please give me a heads up!

[DeltrusDisc]

Windows 8.1 wasn't even remotely a disaster, for what it's worth.

I have no issues with 8.1 still being on my laptop (although I hate laptops, so there's that) whereas my desktop has 10 now.

I hope the OS never becomes based on the internet or something... However I wouldn't be surprised if they somehow figure out a way to make that a reality in the coming years.

[chazus]

They've moved to a system more like Mac OSX, in a fashion.

There was Mac OS 8, OS 9, then OS 10, or "OSX".. and from there, OSX 10.1, 10.2, ... and the current is 10.12 Sierra

Just the same, there was Vista, 7, 8, and now 10... With major revisions. We're currently on 10.3, what many people call 'anniversary update' or "1607". New, major updates coming out every ~8 months or so. These are not service packs. They are additions and changes to the system, at a core level.

10.1 (1507, Threshold 1)
10.2 (1511, Threshold 2)
10.3 (1607, Redstone 1) - Current
10.4 (1704, Redstone 2)
10.5 (1707*, Redstone 3)
10.6 (1802*, Redstone 4)

*Numbers are speculation, as they said 'late summer/early fall' and 'early 2018'

[sysadmin999]

Okay I just mentioned that I absolutely lost track of what the fuck is going on with the Windows OS.

Were there not talks about "Windows as a Service" - having Win10 as the final mayor version of Windows and keeping it alive by constant updates that will not require you to reinstall a OS and instead just update the system akin to kernel updates in Linux?

What does "Client OS" even mean? Will Microsoft try, after Win10, to decentralize the OS of my computer to the internet (I highly doubt that)?

I really at some point just lost track of all this marketing bullshit. Please give me a heads up!

A final version of Windows 10 is misleading as it keeps on changing. As far as I'm aware, the updating of Windows 10 uses an image which installs on reboot. As you know, the Linux kernel can take updates without any rebooting so its not the same.

Microsoft is not being open about Windows 10 and its future so your guess is as good as anyone else's. Microsoft has just been forced to admit by the Swiss government that it is taking a user's browser history and search history - you can 'clear' (?) these by logging into your Microsoft account.

[Deleted]

But if I give up now and get a Windows 10 (for free cause I am a student *haha*), how long can I expect to use that system? When they announced already that they will cancel support in 8 years, what does this mean? Will there ever be a Windows 11 or will they just increase the minor version number and stop supproting everything but a certain one?

[Aeluron Lightsong]

But if I give up now and get a Windows 10 (for free cause I am a student *haha*), how long can I expect to use that system? When they announced already that they will cancel support in 8 years, what does this mean? Will there ever be a Windows 11 or will they just increase the minor version number and stop supproting everything but a certain one?

Even if there was a Windows 11 or whatever. Win 10 support would last for awhile. That said I do wonder if Microsoft is just going on with updates instead of doing a new version of Windows.


All of this is speculative so don't take it as fact.

[chazus]

But if I give up now and get a Windows 10 (for free cause I am a student *haha*), how long can I expect to use that system? When they announced already that they will cancel support in 8 years, what does this mean? Will there ever be a Windows 11 or will they just increase the minor version number and stop supproting everything but a certain one?

It will stop support for lower versions, most likely, just like Apple doesn't support some stuff/features on older versions of OSX. All you need to do is make sure you stay updated.

Even if there was a Windows 11 or whatever. Win 10 support would last for awhile. That said I do wonder if Microsoft is just going on with updates instead of doing a new version of Windows.

The newer versions are not just 'updates'. Some of them are massive overhauls. If you think of it the way you are, Windows 7 was just a 'update' of Vista (6.0 to 6.1) and W8 was just an 'update' of that (6.2).

Every new major rollout is effectively a slightly more modified version, it's not just an update.

Think of it this way... The engine of wow is vastly different than it was in 2004. Same game/engine, but it's been modified and adjusted since then that it's no longer similar to the original, by way of large changes over time.

[Mormolyce]

I'm still using Win 7 on my home PC (work uses it too, all the businesses I've worked for run old versions of Windows, upgrading is a bitch for businesses), with Win 10 on my HTPC. Had no problems with 7 since support stopped. Typically I use an OS until a significant number of programs flat out refuse to run on it, which past experience suggests will be like 3+ years after support ends.

IMO don't bother upgrading to 10 if you're comfortable with 7, at least not for a while.

[Katchii]

But if I give up now and get a Windows 10 (for free cause I am a student *haha*), how long can I expect to use that system? When they announced already that they will cancel support in 8 years, what does this mean? Will there ever be a Windows 11 or will they just increase the minor version number and stop supproting everything but a certain one?

I don't remember ever seeing or hearing of the them "cancelling" Windows 10 support. Their plan was to have Windows 10 be the last Windows overhaul version with continuing updates to improve it forever...but obviously things change. That said, I seriously doubt they'd flat out cancel support for the only operating system they'll have functioning according to their plan.

[chazus]

When they announced already that they will cancel support in 8 years

Where did you read this, exactly?

[Erous]

I'm still using Win 7 on my home PC (work uses it too, all the businesses I've worked for run old versions of Windows, upgrading is a bitch for businesses), with Win 10 on my HTPC. Had no problems with 7 since support stopped. Typically I use an OS until a significant number of programs flat out refuse to run on it, which past experience suggests will be like 3+ years after support ends.

I don't disagree with this, but my entire company is already on Win 10, 15k worldwide employees

[Wramp]

in truth many factors that involve a decision to go to the next Version (ie: Win10 to Win11, etc...) is hardware related in that support for the newer hardware requires more than just an update but a core re-write of some of the systems that are used in conjunction with said hardware. Afaik Windows 10 was designed in modular to support re-writes of systems when necessary without having to re-design the core of the OS. Now, just like the OP here, i have not kept up with the nuances of what Microsoft has planned as i am no longer in that part of the industry, but im fairly certain Win10 support can exist on present and future systems far into the 2020s as it is currently written.

[Arialla]

Where did you read this, exactly?

Signs point to here

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...cle-fact-sheet

[Artorius]

Signs point to here

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...cle-fact-sheet

That's for build 10240.

[endersblade]

But if I give up now and get a Windows 10 (for free cause I am a student *haha*), how long can I expect to use that system? When they announced already that they will cancel support in 8 years, what does this mean? Will there ever be a Windows 11 or will they just increase the minor version number and stop supproting everything but a certain one?

You are seriously worried that the OS might not be supported in 8 years? Do you realize they've already dropped support for 7 and 8 is right around the corner? That makes absolutely zero fucking logical sense to me. Stay on an OS that is getting dropped, or one that is going to survive the better part of a DECADE.

I updated to 10 more or less because I had to, and I have never looked back. I never understood all the bullshit people were complaining about. If you are really paranoid that Micro$oft is going to find out you look at kiddie porn, then turn the fucking reporting function off. It's that simple. There are hundreds if not thousands of websites made by tinfoil hat wearing colleagues of yours to walk you through making sure the aliens don't know who are.

Some people, the vocal minority but loud as ever, have had issues updating to 10. BSODs, etc, the same shit that happens with EVERY SINGLE NEW COPY OF WINDOWS EVER. Imagine trying to make an OS that works with all the different hardware specs we as users have, there are bound to be hiccups. But the overwhelming majority, who haven't made any complaints and therefore generation ADHD hasn't paid any attention to, have had zero issues with the upgrade. I just updated over 1,000 computers at work to 10 and didn't have a single issue. I've dated at least 10 computer for myself and family without any issue. Most of them report that things seem to run smoother and work faster. (my bootup times went from about 3 minutes to under a minute, and I'm still on an HDD.)

I haven't kept track, but 10ish years sounds like an amazingly long life for an OS. I really feel like between Vista and 8 might have been 10 years between the three. I just got used to one and a new one came out. It was annoying, and rather expensive. I'd be damned glad if it sticks around for another 8 years.

[Vargur]

Windows 8.1 wasn't even remotely a disaster, for what it's worth.

I have no issues with 8.1 still being on my laptop (although I hate laptops, so there's that) whereas my desktop has 10 now.

I hope the OS never becomes based on the internet or something... However I wouldn't be surprised if they somehow figure out a way to make that a reality in the coming years.

I don't remember ever seeing or hearing of the them "cancelling" Windows 10 support. Their plan was to have Windows 10 be the last Windows overhaul version with continuing updates to improve it forever...but obviously things change. That said, I seriously doubt they'd flat out cancel support for the only operating system they'll have functioning according to their plan.

Well, 10 is just the last Windows. Maybe the next one will be called Doors or Floors... it will be very different though.

[ComputerNerd]

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...cle-fact-sheet

That states 2020 and 2025 for end of support.

It is my understanding that is referring to a specific build, rather than as a whole.
The first release of it.
Later builds should I think have a longer support date, which we may see updated with the "Creator's Update".

Time will tell though.
Does seem contradictory to their big "last version of windows" statement if that is taken at face value.

[chazus]

Yeah, that's not "Windows 10", that's the specific build.

From my earlier post...

10.1 (1507, Threshold 1)
10.2 (1511, Threshold 2)
10.3 (1607, Redstone 1) - Current
10.4 (1704, Redstone 2)
10.5 (1707*, Redstone 3)
10.6 (1802*, Redstone 4)

It's the first one, 10.1, or '1507' that they'll end support for.. But nobody should even be on that one anyway. I haven't seen a 1507 machine in ages. If you have Windows 10, you should be on 1607. if you're not, something is wrong (updates are broken, or turned off) It's nothing to worry about.

[Artorius]

RTM - 10240
TH2 - 10586
RS1 - 14393 <- They changed their naming scheme here
RS2 - ???

We've already had 3 different "Windows 10". It's a rolling release, always getting updated and will be supported for an undefined amount of time. Probably forever and at some point Microsoft will just change its name to simply "Windows".

[Mormolyce]

I don't disagree with this, but my entire company is already on Win 10, 15k worldwide employees

Varies from business to business / industry to industry I'm sure.