Windows Lifecycle (End of Life)
May 25, 2023
The Windows operating system, created by Microsoft, is one of the most common operating systems we see today in computers, as well as servers. Microsoft has rolled out different versions (and editions) of the Windows OS over the years, adding improvement with each.
The Windows OS is designed for both regular consumers (clients) and organizations (servers). The client version of Windows is Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 7, 8, 10, and so on, whereas the server versions are Windows Server 2012, 2012 R2, 2016, and so on.
Like all software and operating systems, the Windows OS also has a defined EOL, after which it stops receiving any further updates. However, Microsoft may occasionally choose to support certain editions of a certain version of Windows, while disregarding the other editions.
See which Windows versions are currently supported down below.
Support status guide
End of life (EOL) is the end of a product’s useful life. When a product reaches the end of its life cycle, the manufacturer no longer supports it. The following table explains the different phases of a product’s lifecycle. Testing status is when the product is initially released and EOL is when product support is no longer offered. The time between these two points is the support timeframe.
Testing
The software is not yet publicly available. It is in testing phase i.e., alpha, beta, release preview etc.
Active
The software is actively supported by the vendor.
Phasing Out
The software will soon reach its end of life. You need to look for upgrade or migration options. The software will automatically go into phasing out status 2 months before end of life.
End Of Life
The software is no longer supported by the vendor. You need to make sure your system and environment are safe.
Version
Released
Active Support
Extended Support
(31 October 2023)
(10 November 2026)
(10 November 2026)
(31 October 2023)
(11 November 2025)
(11 November 2025)
(20 September 2022)
(14 October 2025)
(14 October 2025)
(4 October 2021)
(8 October 2024)
(10 October 2023)
(20 September 2022)
(14 October 2025)
(14 October 2025)
Version
Released
Active Support
Extended Support
(18 October 2022)
(14 October 2025)
(14 October 2025)
(16 November 2021)
(13 June 2023)
(11 June 2024)
(20 October 2020)
(9 May 2023)
(9 May 2023)
(27 May 2020)
(14 December 2021)
(14 December 2021)
(12 November 2019)
(10 May 2021)
(10 May 2021)
(29 August 2019)
(8 December 2020)
(8 December 2020)
(13 November 2018)
(10 November 2020)
(10 November 2020)
(30 April 2018)
(13 October 2020)
(13 October 2020)
(17 October 2017)
(13 October 2020)
(13 October 2020)
(11 April 2017)
(8 October 2019)
(8 October 2019)
(2 August 2016)
(12 October 2021)
(9 January 2029)
(2 August 2016)
(9 April 2019)
(9 April 2019)
(10 November 2015)
(10 October 2017)
(10 October 2017)
(29 July 2015)
(13 October 2020)
(14 October 2025)
(29 July 2015)
(9 May 2017)
(9 May 2017)
(29 July 2015)
(14 October 2025)
(14 October 2025)
Earlier Windows
Version
Released
Active Support
Extended Support
(13 November 2013)
(9 January 2018)
(9 January 2018)
(30 October 2012)
(12 January 2016)
(12 January 2016)
(12 October 2009)
(14 January 2015)
(14 January 2020)
(25 January 2007)
(10 April 2012)
(11 April 2017)
(25 October 2001)
(14 April 2009)
(8 April 2014)
Version
Released
Active Support
Extended Support
(24 October 2023)
(24 April 2025)
(24 October 2025)
(18 August 2021)
(13 October 2026)
(14 October 2031)
(13 November 2018)
(9 January 2024)
(9 January 2029)
(16 October 2016)
(11 January 2022)
(12 January 2027)
(13 November 2013)
(9 October 2018)
(13 October 2026)
(6 May 2008)
(13 January 2015)
(14 January 2020)
(28 May 2003)
(13 July 2010)
(14 July 2015)
(17 February 2000)
(30 June 2005)
(13 July 2010)
