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Microsoft: Sorry, But No More Feature Updates for Windows 10

Last year's release of version 22H2 for the OS 'will be the final version of Windows 10,' Microsoft says. That means you'll need to get Windows 11 for major enhancements.

ByMichael Kan

My Experience

I've been with PCMag since October 2017, covering a wide range of topics, including consumer electronics, cybersecurity, social media, networking, and gaming. Prior to working at PCMag, I was a foreign correspondent in Beijing for over five years, covering the tech scene in Asia.

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(Photo by Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Bad news if you’re still onWindows 10: Microsoft is going to stop adding new features to the OS through upcoming updates.

“We highly encourage you to transition to Windows 11 now as there won't be any additional Windows 10 feature updates,” Microsoft product manager Jason Leznek wrote in ablog post(Opens in a new window).

Leznek wrote the post to give the public a “clear Windows client roadmap,” so consumers and businesses can prepare. Microsoft has already said it’ll support Windows 10 untilOct. 14, 2025, a date that’s quickly approaching.

However, today’s statement means users should only expect to receive performance fixes and security patches through future Windows 10 updates. Expect the updates to arrivemonthly(Opens in a new window)until the October 2025 end-of-support cycle date. But if you’re looking for new features, you’ll need to install or buy a PC withWindows 11.

An estimated 73% of users are on Windows 10,according(Opens in a new window)tosurveys(Opens in a new window). So the news may annoy those clinging on to the OS when Microsoft has been pushing users to adopt Windows 11. The problem is that Windows 11 can only be officially installed on PCs released in the last six years, due to Microsoft’s decisionto imposecertain system requirements.

The post from Leznek goes to say: “If you and/or your organization must remain on Windows 10 for now, pleaseupdate to Windows 10(Opens in a new window), version 22H2 to continue receiving monthly security update releases through October 14, 2025.”

Last year’s Windows 10 22H2 release actually contained no new features. Rather, it was devoted to security, performance, and reliability updates. Microsoft instead brought the major enhancements to theWindows 11 22H2 release, which came packed with revisions and improvements to the OS.

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About Michael Kan

Senior Reporter

I've been with PCMag since October 2017, covering a wide range of topics, including consumer electronics, cybersecurity, social media, networking, and gaming. Prior to working at PCMag, I was a foreign correspondent in Beijing for over five years, covering the tech scene in Asia.

Read Michael's full bio

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