Nothing lasts forever and this is especially true for software and products these days. Microsoft products and services are no exception, as several will reach end of servicing later this year.
This overview lists the major products that won’t receive any updates anymore once support ends.
Windows & Operating Systems
- Windows 11, Version 24H2 (Home & Pro): Servicing ends October 13, 2026. (Users will need to update to version 25H2 or newer).
- Windows 11, Version 23H2 (Enterprise, Education, & IoT Enterprise): Servicing ends November 10, 2026.
- Windows 11 SE: Servicing ends October 1, 2026. Product retirement.
- Windows 10 2016 LTSB / IoT Enterprise LTSB 2016: Extended Support ends October 13, 2026.
- Windows Server 2012 / 2012 R2 (ESU Year 3): The final year of Extended Security Updates concludes on October 13, 2026.
Office & Productivity Suites
- Office 2021 & Office LTSC 2021 (Windows & Mac): Support ends on October 13, 2026. This covers individual applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, OneNote, Visio, and Project 2021.
- Microsoft Publisher: Completely retired and removed from Microsoft 365 subscriptions after October 2026.
Servers & Business Applications
SQL Server 2016: Extended Support ends July 14, 2026.- SharePoint Server 2016 & 2019: Extended Support ends July 14, 2026.
- Project Server 2016 & 2019: Extended Support ends July 14, 2026.
- Exchange Server & Skype for Business Server (ESU Period 2): Final ESU phase expires October 31, 2026.
- Dynamics CRM 2016, NAV 2016, GP 2016, & C5 2016: Extended Support ended between January and April 2026.
- Microsoft Configuration Manager (Version 2409): Servicing ended June 6, 2026.
Developer Frameworks & Tools
- .NET 9 (Standard Term Support): End of servicing on May 12, 2026.
- .NET 8 (LTS): End of servicing on November 10, 2026.
- PowerShell 7.4 (LTS): End of servicing on November 10, 2026.
- Visual Studio 2022 (LTSC 17.10 & 17.12): Servicing ends on January 13, 2026 (17.10) and July 14, 2026 (17.12).
Key Milestone Summary
| Product / Service | Milestone Date | Status |
| Windows 11, v24H2 (Home/Pro) | October 13, 2026 | End of Servicing |
| Windows 11, v23H2 (Enterprise) | November 10, 2026 | End of Servicing |
| Windows Server 2012 / R2 (ESU) | October 13, 2026 | Final ESU Year Expiration |
| Office LTSC 2021 / Office 2021 | October 13, 2026 | End of Support / Retirement |
As always, most of the products will continue to work even after retirement or end of servicing. Microsoft won’t issue security patches or non-security fixes anymore, and will also end technical support. This increases the vulnerability risk.
I have Windows 11, Version 24H2. Unless my computer bricks, I have no plans to update it.
Any reason why you are not upgrading to 25H2?
I know that I can disable all AI, junkware, and 90%+ of telemetry on 24H2. I do not know if I will be able to do the same on 25H2 with AI getting integrated on a deeper level. Also, all programs I use still work great. Why mess with the setup that actually works and gives me no problems?
As far as security, I do get occasional Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) warnings after certain software updates, but nothing serious for the last 2 years with this setup. I remember an old Chinese story from some TV show, which I will describe as I remember it: “A foreigner comes to a village and sees an old cat on the porch. A foreigner asks a villager: Why do you not get a young cat? Villager’s answer: The old cat is still great at killing mice. Why would I want to replace it?”
If 25H2 had some obvious advantages over 24H2, like using way less memory or processor power for the same task, I would probably have made a full drive backup and played with the new update. But since 25H2 has zero advantages over 24H2 in my opinion, why even try?
0patch offers security updates through 2030. It works well with its hot patch technology.
I still use Microsoft Office 2007 and I don’t want to know about new versions. This is the best. The newer one is just a cosmetic perversion and is full of telemetry from the aggressor USA!
I still use Microsoft Office 2007 and I don’t want to know about new versions. This is the best. The newer one is just a cosmetic perversion and is full of telemetry from the aggressor USA!
I’m not having any issues with 25H2; I don’t know about advantages, though.
I do use Office 2021 occassionallly and think five years for a program is far to few. I’m thinking how long I used Office 2010. I may have to wait for one of those Stack Social deals.
MS–little shareholder value in its OS and Office Suites; it should focus on what makes for a profitable business in the era of AI instead which equals “Azure growth and cloud operations.”