Microsoft has decided to postpone its scheduled end-of-service date for Windows 10, version 1803. The announcement applies to Windows 10 v1803 Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise editions. Meaning, the company will now continue to release security updates for Windows 10 v1803 until May 11, 2021.
Windows 10 1803 EOL delayed
Prior to this new announcement, Microsoft was supposed to put an end to the security updates for Windows 10 v1803 on November 10, 2020. The reason behind Microsoft’s decision to delay the end of service date for Windows 10, version 1803 is the on-going pandemic.
To help organizations focus on business continuity, security updates for the Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise editions of Windows 10, version 1803 will continue to be released monthly until May 11, 2021. Learn more here: https://t.co/2SxOphxOKf.
— Windows Update (@WindowsUpdate) August 26, 2020
“We have heard your feedback and understand your need to focus on business continuity in the midst of the global pandemic,” Microsoft said.
Microsoft will continue to push security updates for Windows 10, version 1803 via Windows Update, Windows Server Update Services, and the Microsoft Update Catalog.
“You will not need to alter your current update management workflows.”
What happens after May 11, 2021
Microsoft has made it clear that post the deadline of May 11, 2021, PCs running Windows 10 1803 (Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise editions) will no longer receive security updates.
Hence, Microsoft has advised organizations to update their PCs to the latest version of Windows 10 (version 2004). By upgrading devices to Windows 10 v2004, devices will continue to remain supported and maintained, courtesy of official security updates.
Users can consider upgrading to Windows 10 versions 1903 or 1909, to begin with.
How to install Windows 10 v2004
Last month, Microsoft officially unlocked the next phase of the Windows 10 2004 rollout. As a result, we can now expect nearly all existing Windows 10 PCs running version 1903 and 1909 to receive the Windows 10 May 2020 update.
The update will be available to those who manually check for the update via Windows Update settings:
- If you are ready to download and install the update, open your Windows Update settings.
- Navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and select Check for updates.
- Once the update appears, you can select Download and install it.
The installation process takes about 2 hours to complete.
