Microsoft ends support for Windows 10 version 21H2, asks users to update
Microsoft has ended support for Windows 10 version 21H2. The operating system was released on November 16, 2021 initially and has now reached its end of servicing.
Customer devices that still run the system should be updated to the latest version of Windows 10, which is Windows 10 version 22H2 at the time of writing, or upgraded to Windows 11, if the system supports the minimum system requirements.
There is no rush to upgrade to Windows 11, unless the operating system offers features that users require or want to use.
Windows 10 version 21H2 PCs will no longer receive updates, including security updates, going forward. The last security update for the operating system version was released on June 13, 2023.
Microsoft writes on the official support page: "On June 13, 2023, Home, Pro, Pro Education and Pro for Workstations editions of Windows 10, version 21H2 will reach end of servicing. The upcoming June 2023 security update, to be released on June 13, 2023, will be the last update available for this version. After this date, devices running this version will no longer receive monthly security and preview updates containing protections from the latest security threats.".
Microsoft is pushing Windows 10 version 22H2 on to systems running Windows 10 version 21H2 automatically via Windows Update. The forced updates to the new Windows 10 version ensures that devices remain supported.
The forced update to version 22H2 of Windows 10 is pushed to Home and non-managed devices only, unless they have known issues that prevent the update.
Microsoft announced earlier this year that Windows 10 version 22H2 will be the last version of Windows 10. It is supported until October 14, 2025.
The update from Windows 10 version 21H2 to 22H2 is brief and in scope very similar to the installation of a monthly cumulative update for the operating system.
Windows 10 users may run manual checks for the update by going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
Windows 10 version 22H2 remains supported for more than 2 years, and there won't be any major update going forward in that period. The operating system continues to receive monthly security updates.
It is unclear at this stage whether Microsoft is going to make available Extended Security Updates, ESU, for Windows 10, similarly to how it made them available for Windows 7.
Windows 10 is the most used version of Windows currently. Statcounter, a third-party tracking firm, sees Windows 10 at 71.9% and Windows 11 at 22.95% of the Windows desktop operating system market.
Windows 11 will continue to climb in the coming two years, but Windows 10 will likely have a sizeable market share in October 2025.
Rumor has it that Microsoft could launch Windows 12, a new version of Windows, as early as next year. Windows 10 users whose devices do not meet the Windows 11 system requirements should not hold their breaths, as it is very unlikely that Windows 12, if released, will relax the system requirements.
Now You: which version of Windows do you run, if any?
Thanks to Martin for the article.
My regular device is an iPad, and I rarely use a Windows machine (desktop computer), and on top of that, I block “Windows Update” and apply it with an optional manual update, so it was still Windows 10 version 21H2.
I ran a manual update to finish applying Windows 10 (x64) Version 22H2 (build 19045.2965).
After applying the update, the default browser is replaced with Edge, and the default settings of the OS were restored (Cortana, which had been deleted, was also reinstalled).
So use “WPD, OOSU10, O&O App Buster” with administrator rights, change telemetry kind of off, removed Cortana etc (which I don’t need). Furthermore I disabled Edge using “Edge Blocker”.
WPD
https://wpd.app/
OOSU10
https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10
O&O App Buster
https://www.oo-software.com/en/ooappbuster
Edge Blocker
https://www.sordum.org/9312/edge-blocker-v1-9/
It took 5 hours to complete the update, and it took 11 hours, including applying multiple patch versions (KB4562830, KB502687, KB5027122) and re-correcting the settings.
Correction:
> Before correction,
It took 5 hours to complete the update, and it took 11 hours, including applying multiple patch versions (KB4562830, KB502687, KB5027122) and re-correcting the settings.
> After correction,
It took 5 hours to complete the update, and it took 11 hours, including applying multiple patch versions (KB4562830?KB5026879?KB5027122?KB5027215) and re-correcting the settings.
No thanks, Microsoft! I’m still on Windows 7 and am free of your nonsense.
Are there any browsers that are planning to support Windows 7?
Firefox will be supported on Windows 7 (and 8.1) until September 2024.
https://www.ghacks.net/2023/05/30/mozilla-confirms-firefoxs-end-of-support-for-windows-7-8-and-8-1-systems/
Tips for the update/upgrade–don’t allow “forced updates to the new Windows 10 version”: just don’t.
1. Make a full system image backup using something like Macrium.
2. Download the latest .iso from MS:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11
3. Mount the .iso using something like Daemon Tools and run setup on a computer that is booted and running–like an in-place re-install/repair technique.
4. Uncheck the box wanting to install updates; make sure “keep files and apps” is checked.
5. Install. Maybe 30 minutes max.
Go to Martin’s article and find the link for June updates; manually install the cumulative.
https://www.ghacks.net/2023/06/13/the-windows-june-2023-security-patches-are-here-and-address-these-issues/
Check for new drivers using a favorite program and find latest BIOS update from manufacturer–Depends on user preference, but I like to update all programs, drivers, BIOS, etc. first. Then, clean out temp files, etc. Then, install latest Windows version. WingetUI, Kerish Doctor, and Driver Booster work fine, but I know users on gHacks shame the programs.
Windows 11–upgrade? Wait.
New equipment isn’t a farfetched idea, but re-creating a computer setup that has taken a couple of years requires forethought.
Good news, now I can install safely a dual boot in my main laptop with both Ubuntu LTS and the good W10 (now barely converted in a LTSC version too because it will be maintained for at least two years more with no features additions nor other kind of bloatware, thanks Microsoft, you have made my day). LOL, but not such as the kind LOL as you really could imagine. :]]]]]
We will hold out on the latest version of Win 10 as long as possible, which will not be until after the EOL.
We’ve already started a seperate savings account with the goal of building 2 new win 11 gaming pc’s when the time comes.
Time stops for no one. You can either keep up with the tech or be left behind.
“You can either keep up with the tech or be left behind.”
Pardon me if I slightly modify this assertion: You can either choose tech independently or be a a follower.
Latest, in whatever area, is not automatically the best, counter-progress is factual not to mention that progress doesn’t always fit one’s requirements, wishes. Is progress’ trigger that of quality, quantity? We’d have to define what progress is to start with.
If you really believe, objectively or subjectively but then subjectively-aware, that the latest surpasses the former then fine. But blindly striving to keep up (with the tech) is not a credo I’d make mine.
“You can either keep up with the tech or be left behind.”
No one is left behind, they only go ahead without you.
Walking alone is not as bad as it seems sometimes.
“You can either keep up with the tech or be left behind.”
I generally agree with the sentiment, but it does not apply to Windows 11 which to date anyway is in no way an advance over Windows 10 (or Windows 7 for that matter). There is nothing of importance to ‘keep up’ with, unless you find debugging practice useful or enjoy continually tinkering with your operating system to make it somewhat functional.
Maybe you should hold on to that savings account until Windows 12 comes around.
“You can either keep up with the tech or be left behind”
Sounds like some “consoom latest product, get excited when new product comes out” logic, no thanks.
If you’re a modern-games gamer, maybe you’re tied to the slowly-sinking disaster that is windows, but under any other circumstance I’d recommend maybe investing time into learning some sort of linux – and maybe setup a private server to host a beefy W11 VM for windows-only software, that you can remote into (wouldn’t work for games though).
“You can either keep up with the tech or be left behind.”
That’s exactly what you’re intended to be doing, nothing more. You’ll never win or get anything of substance out of it.
The gaming hamster wheel, keep it running, boys, one day that carrot will be yours.
The toxic money pit for delusional pixel chasers, designed to keep the populous dumbed down, and never stop paying for the next fix.
And now in RTX…