Windows 10 is now installed on over one billion PCs across the globe but it appears that its future is in doubt. In a move that’s likely to shock many fans of this OS, Microsoft has just revealed that things could be coming to end for Windows 10 much sooner than many may have expected. An update on the US company’s Windows 10 Home Pro Lifecycle Policy page has confirmed that its current operating system will be “retired” on October 14th 2025 – that’s just over four years away. The Redmond firm also states on this page that it “will continue to support at least one Windows 10 Semi-Annual Channel until October 14, 2025.”
So what happens to PCs after this date? Well, despite Microsoft saying back in 2015 that Windows 10 would be the firm’s “last version” of Windows it appears that won’t be the case.
Rumours are rife that Windows 11 is coming soon with a big reveal expected to take place on June 22 at a major launch event. The high-profile keynote was revealed by the official Windows Twitter account, and comes after Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella teased the “next generation” of the OS is coming.
Back in May, Nadella said: “Soon we will share one of the most significant updates to Windows of the past decade to unlock greater economic opportunity for developers and creators.
“I’ve been self-hosting it over the past several months, and I’m incredibly excited about the next generation of Windows. We look forward to sharing more very soon.”
Microsoft is no stranger to ending support for its most popular operating systems with Windows 7 the last casualty of the upgrade programme.
Windows 7 updates were scrapped back in January 2019 with Microsoft no longer supporting this much-loved software.
As the firm explained at the time, “You can continue to use Windows 7, but after support has ended, your PC will become more vulnerable to security risks and viruses.
“Windows will continue to start and run, but you will no longer receive software updates, including security updates, from Microsoft.”
Whether the same fate is coming to Windows 10 remains to be seen but it appears that users may have to get ready for another big change in 2025.
Express.co.uk will bring you all of the news from Microsoft’s big event on June 22 so watch this space.
Things will kick off at 4pm BST with Microsoft live streaming the showcase on the web with the firm currently teasing, “Join us to see what’s next for Windows.”
