Is your Windows10 version obsolete already? there are many versions of Windows10 and it depends on when it was released, example – the first one version 1507 released July 2015 has a end of service date of May 9, 2017.
The problem is every software manufacturer Can’t or doesn’t keep releasing vulnerability updates forever. The reason has to do with structural and other programmatic changes that would make some updates very difficult to incorporate. In fact in some cases it would be a herculean task to make changes, so it is a monetary and feasibility reason as to why there is and end of service date.
Now that you know that there is an “end” date what needs to be done?
Update to new version of Windows10!!!
Here is the lifecycle table for Windows10 versions from support.microsoft.com webpage
So as an IT user or professional we must learn the technical nature of our devices. Microsoft does not want to issue a version update like in years past:
I.e. version 3.0(1990) with first multi-task abilities, then 3.11 with networking. When 4.0 was due that became WindowsNT and 95. As the marketing team took control of the naming of new Windows Operating systems the version changes(1.0/2.0/3.0/4.0) were not reflected in the names, only as an additional “version” number.
My version is relatively new (released April 2018), so I have until Nov 2019 until I _have_ to make a change.
Now Microsoft is at Windows10 and with a 4 digit version number. The actual numbers do not have a significance except that it tells you when it was released and when it will have end of service life only if you look it up in a Microsoft End of Service Table.
There is another reason to keep a close eye on this End of service date, as once the version is obsolete, no more updates will be made and you are out of compliance with your systems.
At the Microsoft End of Service webpage there is an interesting sentence:
“Some editions1 can defer semi-annual feature updates at Settings >Windows Update >Advanced options or via a policy that an organization’s management system may provide to the device. On devices that haven’t been configured for deferral, you’ll need to install the latest feature update to help keep your device secure and have it remain supported by Microsoft. New versions may be automatically installed prior to the end-of-service date of the current version on your device.
1 Home edition does not support the deferral of feature updates and will therefore typically receive a new version of Windows 10 prior to the end-of-service date shown.”
So in theory the windows Update will update the Windows version before it expires and no longer updates on its own. But for those of us in IT that have managed hundreds of systems, not all systems update correctly. You cannot assume all systems will updates on their own.
It is best to have someone review your systems which can be done in an automated fashion by scanning the systems. If an old Operating system is present the scan will reveal a high vulnerability (10 out of 10).
Since the system will not get any more updates, the system has to be initiated to upgrade.
Contact US to help you with this process