Microsoft has reminded users that Windows 10, version 1909 (also known as the November 2019 Update), will reach the end of service next month, in May 2021.
Redmond stops providing technical support, bug and security fixes for newly discovered issues and vulnerabilities for products that reach their end of support.
Customers who still use end of service software are advised to upgrade to the latest on-premise or cloud versions as soon as possible to keep their systems secure from attacks and bug-free.
“Your computer will still work, but it could become more vulnerable to security risks and viruses because you won’t receive new security updates or other quality updates,” Microsoft explains.
“Microsoft offers complimentary support to ensure that your device has the latest updates installed and requires that your device be up to date before assisting with other technical support issues.”
Windows 10 releases reaching end of support in May
The company says that this end of support deadline applies to all Windows 10 1903 editions in a support document published earlier this week.
These are all the Windows 10 versions and editions that will reach end of service next month, on May 11, 2021:
- Windows 10, version 1909: Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations and Pro Education; and Windows Server, version 1909, all editions.
- Windows 10, version 1809: all editions except LTSC editions
- Windows 10, version 1803 and Windows Server, version 1803: all editions
Education and Enterprise editions of Windows 10 1909 will reach their end of service next year, on May 11, 2022.
More info on end of service dates for supported versions of Windows 10 is available in the Windows 10 Servicing Frequently Asked Questions, the Windows Lifecycle FAQ, and via Microsoft’s Lifecycle Policy search tool.
Redmond also provides a list of all products ending support or that will be retired in 2021.
Windows 10 2004 in broad deployment
Microsoft announced in February that Windows 10, version 2004 is now in broad deployment and available to everyone via Windows Update.
If you can’t upgrade to Windows 10 2004 update via Window Update, you should check for known hardware blocks on the Windows 10 Health Dashboard.
At the moment, the only known blocks for Windows 10 2004 updates are for devices with Conexant ISST audio drivers according to current info displayed on the health dashboard.
If your computer is affected by this update block, you are advised not to attempt to manually update using the ‘Update now’ button or the Media Creation Tool until Microsoft and Synaptics resolved the issue.
Microsoft is now also allowing a limited set of customers (with devices running Windows 10 1903 and later) to upgrade to Windows 10 20H2, the latest released version.
The company says that it’s “slowly throttling up availability over the coming weeks to ensure a reliable download experience.”
