Microsoft warns that those on Windows 10 version 21H2 will soon no longer receive security updates. But there will be an automatic update to a more recent Windows 10 version.
Windows usually gets two types of updates: monthly security updates that fix security vulnerabilities and bugs, and a larger content update, usually every six months, with new features or visual changes. Those major updates are offered, but you can always refuse them until now.
Microsoft now says those still on Windows 10 21H2 will no longer receive security updates from June 13. The last update package for that version will be released in June. Specifically, it concerns Windows 10 Home, Pro, Pro Education and Pro Workstations. The Education, Enterprise and IoT Enterprise versions will continue to be supported until June 2024.
In the past, devices with outdated versions were left alone. Those who deliberately rejected updates could continue to work but work with an unsafe device. Now Microsoft says it will automatically upgrade those old devices to Windows 10 22H2, the last major update to Windows 10. There is also the option to go to Windows 11 for free. When the automatic upgrade happens is not yet certain, but you can choose an exact time to avoid closing an important task halfway through.
Support until 2025
Microsoft gives the reason that users remain protected in this way. That is a valid reasoning; if a security problem were to become known in the coming months, the outdated devices, services used on them, or computers on the same network risk being attacked. PCs that are patched in time run less risk.
At the same time, it is easier and more transparent for Microsoft not to update systems that are years old. Partly for this reason, the company wants every user to have the most recent version.
Anyone who already has Windows 10 22H2 today can continue. Of these, Microsoft guarantees security updates until October 2025. After that, users can upgrade to Windows 11, or most likely, to Windows 12 (or whatever name the version will be given), which will probably be on the market by then.
