Windows Client OS Roadmap

As managing vice president, Rob Helm covers Microsoft collaboration services and client software. His 25-plus years of experience analyzing Microsoft’s... more

Windows generally refers to Microsoft’s family of OSs. The Windows client OS runs on devices including desktops, laptops, tablets, and all-in-one devices to allow a user to access productivity and other applications.

Product: Windows client OS product

Licensing: Windows Client OS Edition Packaging

Servicing and Support

The Windows client OS follows Microsoft’s Modern Lifecycle. This Modern Lifecycle only provides support for current versions of software or online services. As shown in fig. 1, under the current Modern Lifecycle, Windows client OS Enterprise and Education versions qualify for 36 months (about three years).

The General Availability Channel (GAC) typically delivers new versions (called feature updates) once a year, although two versions are coming in 2026. Quality updates with security and bug fixes arrive several times a month for supported versions, and for installations with active subscriptions to Windows 10 Extended Security Updates. The most important security updates normally come on the second Tuesday of the month (sometimes called Patch Tuesday).

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