Windows 10 update incorrectly tells some users they've reached end-of-life, despite having extended support — Microsoft confirms message sent to Enterprise, Pro, and Education users in error

Windows Update
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Microsoft officially ended mainstream support for Windows 10 last month, nudging users to upgrade to Windows 11. While that led to almost an overnight technological revolution in Japan, elsewhere, it has caused a lot of confusion. Certain versions of Windows 10, like Enterprise LTSC — and those enrolled in the ESU program — are still scheduled to receive security updates through at least 2027, but they're starting to see out-of-support messages in Settings.

Windows 10 LTSC 2021 End of life? What the hell, Microsoft? from r/sysadmin

Microsoft has already acknowledged this mishap and said, “The message, ‘Your version of Windows has reached the end of support, might incorrectly display in the Windows Update Settings page," confirming it as a mistake. The company has already released a cloud config fix that should remove the message, but you need to be connected to the internet for that, and a restart is also required.

Windows 10 ESU

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

We need to clarify that Windows 10 has officially died for most, but not for all. Apart from Enterprise LTSC and IoT LTSC, anyone else can also sign up for the ESU program to lengthen support, but you have to pay $30 for it if you're outside of the EU. We have a detailed guide on how to enroll for Windows 10 ESU that will walk you through all the steps needed to squeeze more life out of your system.

Therefore, those already part of ESU or using Windows 10 versions with extended security updates for a few more years, seeing an end-of-support message was not only odd, but almost scary, as if Microsoft had suddenly walked back on their original commitment. But Microsoft confirmed that “Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 remain in support and will continue to receive security updates according to their respective lifecycles."

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Hassam Nasir
Contributing Writer

Hassam Nasir is a die-hard hardware enthusiast with years of experience as a tech editor and writer, focusing on detailed CPU comparisons and general hardware news. When he’s not working, you’ll find him bending tubes for his ever-evolving custom water-loop gaming rig or benchmarking the latest CPUs and GPUs just for fun.

  • TechieTwo
    Does this surprise anyone to get an incorrect message from Windows? :mad:
    Reply
  • ezst036
    I like how "Enrol" is misspelled in the screenshot. That real??

    https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FxksKUXghoT5ceqPPM45JS-826-80.jpg.webp
    Reply
  • USAFRet
    ezst036 said:
    I like how "Enrol" is misspelled in the screenshot. That real??

    https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FxksKUXghoT5ceqPPM45JS-826-80.jpg.webp
    And spelled correctly in mine, just now:
    Reply
  • ezst036
    USAFRet said:
    And spelled correctly in mine, just now:
    Awesome. I had wondered if that was photoshopped or AI or something........................
    Reply
  • JRStern
    So my Win10 is past end of life, but apparently Microsoft has an eternal right to annoy me for still using it?
    Reply
  • USAFRet
    JRStern said:
    So my Win10 is past end of life, but apparently Microsoft has an eternal right to annoy me for still using it?
    Well, it is still getting security updates.
    Reply
  • JRStern
    USAFRet said:
    Well, it is still getting security updates.
    Not me, I didn't opt in or pay for it.
    Reply