top of page
Blog: Blog2
Search

End of Life dates (2022-2027) for Microsoft Operating Systems and Microsoft Office products

Writer's picture: Leopold GitersonLeopold Giterson

What does Microsoft refer to when they say that a product has reached its End Of Life (EOL).

 

When a Microsoft product reaches its end of support, it means that Microsoft will no longer provide:

  1. Security Updates: Once support ends, Microsoft stops issuing security patches. This leaves systems vulnerable to new cyber threats, as any newly discovered vulnerabilities in the software will not be addressed. Unsupported systems are increasingly attractive targets for cybercriminals and can be gateways for breaches and ransomware attacks​.

  2. Technical Support: Microsoft ceases to provide both free and paid support for issues related to end-of-life products. Without technical assistance, troubleshooting issues or recovering from malfunctions becomes challenging, especially for organizations without dedicated IT staff​.

  3. Compliance and Compatibility Risks: Running unsupported software can create compliance issues, especially in industries with strict regulations (e.g., healthcare and finance). Using outdated software may breach data protection regulations, potentially leading to penalties. Moreover, new software, applications, and hardware might not be compatible with the older, unsupported versions​.

  4. Productivity and Functionality Limitations: As Microsoft continues to update and improve its software, unsupported versions may lack compatibility with newer productivity tools or cloud-based features. This can limit the ability to collaborate effectively or leverage recent advancements in productivity, such as AI-driven features in Microsoft 365​.


 

Here is a list of upcoming end-of-life (EOL) dates for Windows products between 2022 and 2027, which include various versions of Windows Operating Systems, and some Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) products:


Windows 10

  • Windows 10 Home & Pro (Version 22H2): EOL on October 14, 2025. This will be the last version for Home and Pro editions, marking the end of support for Windows 10 overall.

  • Windows 10 Enterprise & Education (Version 22H2): EOL on May 13, 2025.

  • Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021: Mainstream support until January 12, 2027 (extended support may continue beyond this date)​.

 

Windows 11

  • Windows 11 (Version 21H2):

    • Home, Pro, Pro Education, and Pro for Workstations: EOL on October 10, 2023.

    • Enterprise and Education: EOL on October 8, 2024.

  • Windows 11 (Version 22H2):

    • Home, Pro, Pro Education, and Pro for Workstations: EOL on October 8, 2024.

    • Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise: EOL on October 14, 2025.

  • Windows 11 (Version 23H2): Home and Pro editions will reach EOL on November 11, 2025.

  • Windows 11 (Version 24H2): Expected EOL in October 2026 for Home and Pro editions.​

 

Windows Server Products

  • Windows Server 2016: Extended support ending on January 12, 2027.

  • Windows Server 2022: Currently expected to be supported through October 13, 2031, though intermediate updates may have their own lifecycle policies.

 

These dates are essential for organizations to track, especially for security and compliance. As these products approach their EOL, users will no longer receive security updates, making systems more vulnerable to cyber threats. Upgrading to supported versions, such as Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022.


Office Product EOL Dates

  1. Office 2016 and Office 2019:

    • Both Office 2016 and Office 2019 (including suites and standalone apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) will reach their end of support on October 14, 2025. After this date, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or technical support for these versions, increasing potential security risks for users who continue using them beyond EOL.

  2. Office LTSC 2021:

    • Office LTSC 2021 (Long-Term Servicing Channel) has its EOL scheduled for October 13, 2026. This version is designed for organizations that cannot connect to the internet frequently and hence do not require regular feature updates. It will receive security updates until this date but lacks cloud-based features available in Microsoft 365.

  3. Office 2021:

    • Office 2021, the standalone retail version, will also follow a similar support lifecycle, ending on October 13, 2026. This version is intended for users who prefer a one-time purchase rather than a subscription model.


Recommendation for Users

Once a product reaches EOL, it no longer receives security patches or technical support, increasing vulnerability to cyber threats. Compliance issues can arise, particularly in regulated industries, where using unsupported software may violate standards. For optimal security and functionality, users are advised to upgrade to supported versions or consider cloud-based alternatives like Microsoft 365.

Microsoft encourages users to consider upgrading to Microsoft 365, which provides continual updates, enhanced security features, and cloud-integrated tools to keep pace with evolving productivity and cybersecurity needs.

This can be especially beneficial for organizations looking to avoid disruptions in security and functionality after these EOL dates.

44 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

How to secure End-Of-Life software

In the previous article we discussed what's EOL, the vulnerability implications of EOL for the product and why it's recommended for...

תגובות


bottom of page