Microsoft has a timetable for the expiry of support for different versions of Windows, with Windows 10 coming to an end on 14th October 2025 for Home and Pro versions. Windows has other versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11 that have shorter or longer lifespans detailed in this post.
Windows Channels
Microsoft has what they call channels on how they release their versions of Windows:
General Availability Channel (GAC)
This is typically how most users get their Windows, you either have it preinstalled on your computer or you buy a retail copy in a computer store. If you build a custom computer from parts, you may have an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) licence for your computer.
Regardless of whether the software is preinstalled, bought as an OEM or retail copy, there is a regular release schedule that is currently annually.
Insider Channel
Insider channel is the beta channel, where users can test out the latest release of Windows without having to activate it, as it will have a short lifespan.
Long Term Servicing Channel (LTSC)
This is an Enterprise level channel where releases are made every 3 years and have extended support periods. In earlier versions, this was called LTSB where B stood for Branch.
Enterprise versions are managed through Volume Licensing (tied to the end user at time of purchasing) and IoT Enterprise versions are licensed directly to the Original Equipment Manufacturer.
Windows 10
Release | Channel | Edition | Support expires |
|---|---|---|---|
22H2 (2022) | General Availability Channel | Home, Pro, Education, Enterprise, IoT Enterprise | 14th October 2025 |
21H2 (2021) | Long Term Servicing Channel | Enterprise | 12th January 2027 |
21H2 (2021) | Long Term Servicing Channel | IoT Enterprise | 13th January 2032 |
1809 (2018) | Long Term Servicing Channel | Enterprise/IoT Enterprise | 9th January 2029 |
1607 (2016) | Long Term Servicing Branch | Enterprise | 13th October 2026 |
1507/RTM (2015) | Long Term Servicing Branch | Enterprise | 14th October 2025 |
Note that Long Term Servicing Branches do not have an IoT version.
The IoT Enterprise version is exactly the same as the Enterprise version except that drive encryption is disabled, as the product is designed for embedded systems that may not have a TPM nor have a CPU that can do the complex mathematics required for encryption.
Windows 11
Release | Channel | Edition | Support expires |
|---|---|---|---|
24H2 (2024) | General Availability Channel | Home, Pro, Education | 13th October 2026 |
24H2 (2024) | General Availability Channel | Enterprise, IoT Enterprise | 12th October 2027 |
24H2 (2024) | Long Term Servicing Channel | Enterprise, IoT Enterprise | 10th October 2034 |
23H2 (2023) | General Availability Channel | Home, Pro, Education | 11th November 2025 |
23H2 (2023) | General Availability Channel | Enterprise, IoT Enterprise | 10th November 2026 |
22H2 (2022) | General Availability Channel | Home, Pro, Education | Expired |
22H2 (2022) | General Availability Channel | Enterprise, IoT Enterprise | 14th October 2025 |