Microsoft releases several products every year but the big ones are their Operating Systems and Office Suites. Below is a summary of Microsoft Life-cycle plans for their most popular products.

Software life-cycle refers to the support phase of a product where the company will provide technical support or software updates for a limited period of time. Microsoft usually provides five years of Mainstream Support, followed by five years of Extended Support for a total of ten years for their products.

Below is a summary of select products, for more details on a product that is not listed here, please visit Microsoft’s Life-cycle Support Site

Definitions:

• Initial Release: The month and year the product was introduced to the market.
• Mainstream Support End: The date which Microsoft will no longer actively support the product with non-paid technical support, new features, and/or non-security related fixes.
• Extended Support End: The date which all support for the product ends, no security fixes or any other updates for the product will be available.

Microsoft Windows Operating System

Windows 10 – Supported Releases

Windows 10 – Unsupported Releases

Security Fixes Only

Operating System	Initial Release	Mainstream Support Ends	Extended Support Ends
Windows 8.1	November 2013	January 9, 2018	January 10, 2023

Discontinued Operating Systems

Probably should think about upgrading your computer at this point.

Operating System	Initial Release	Mainstream Support Ends	Extended Support Ends
Windows 8.0	October 2012	N/A	January 12, 2016
Windows 7	October 2009	January 13, 2015	January 14, 2020
Windows Vista	January 2007	April 10, 2012	April 11, 2017
Windows XP	December 2001	April 14, 2009	April 8, 2014
Windows 2000	March 2000	June 30, 2005	July 13, 2010
Windows ME	December 2000	December 31, 2003	July 11, 2006
Windows 98	June 1998	June 30, 2002	July 11, 2006
Windows NT Workstation 4.0	July 1996	June 30, 2002	June 30, 2004
Windows 95	August 1995	December 31, 2000	December 31, 2001

Microsoft Office Suites

Windows Versions

Suite Version	Initial Released	Mainstream Support Ends	Extended Support Ends
Office 2021	October 2021	N/A	October 13, 2026
Office 2019	September 2018	October 10, 2023	October 14, 2025
Office 2016	September 2015	October 13, 2020	October 14, 2025
Office 2013	January 2013	April 10, 2018	April 11, 2023

Discontinued

• Office 2010
  

  Initial Release:	July 2010
  Mainstream Support End:	October 13, 2015
  Extended Support End:	October 13, 2020

• Office 2007
  

  Initial Release:	January 2007
  Mainstream Support End:	October 8, 2012
  Extended Support End:	October 10, 2017

• Office 2003
  

  Initial Release:	November 2003
  Mainstream Support End:	April 14, 2009
  Extended Support End:	April 8, 2014

• Office XP
  

  Initial Release:	May 2001
  Mainstream Support End:	July 11, 2006
  Extended Support End:	July 12, 2011

• Office 2000
  

  Initial Release:	June 1999
  Mainstream Support End:	June 30, 2004
  Extended Support End:	July 15, 2009

Mac OS X Only Versions

• Office 2016 for Mac
  

  Initial Release:	December 2015
  Mainstream Support End:	October 13, 2020
  Extended Support End:	Not Applicable

• Office for Mac 2011
  

  Initial Release:	December 2010
  Mainstream Support End:	October 10, 2017
  Extended Support End:	Not Applicable

Discontinued

• Office 2008 for Mac
  

  Initial Release:	March 2008
  Mainstream Support End:	April 9, 2013
  Extended Support End:	Not Applicable

• Office 2004 for Mac
  

  Initial Release:	July 2004
  Mainstream Support End:	January 10, 2012
  Extended Support End:	Not Applicable

• Office X for Mac
  

  Initial Release:	October 2001
  Mainstream Support End:	January 9, 2007
  Extended Support End:	Not Applicable

Internet Explorer

• Windows Internet Explorer 11
  

  Initial Release:	November 13, 2013
  Mainstream Support End:	Unknown
  Extended Support End:	Unknown

• Windows Internet Explorer 10
  

  Initial Release:	October 30, 2012
  Mainstream Support End:	Unknown
  Extended Support End:	Unknown

Do Not Use, Unsafe Browsers!

• Windows Internet Explorer 9.0 – Status: Upgrade Now
  

  Initial Release:	March 15, 2011
  Mainstream Support End:	Unknown
  Extended Support End:	Unknown

• Windows Internet Explorer 8.0 – Status: Upgrade Now
  

  Initial Release:	June 17, 2009
  Mainstream Support End:	January 13, 2015
  Extended Support End:	January 14, 2020

• Windows Internet Explorer 7.0 – Status: Upgrade Now
  

  Initial Release:	October 18, 2006
  Mainstream Support End:	April 10, 2012
  Extended Support End:	April 11, 2017

Discontinued

• Internet Explorer 6.0 – Status: Upgrade Now
  

  Initial Release:	December 31, 2001
  Mainstream Support End:	April 14, 2009
  Extended Support End:	April 8, 2014

• Internet Explorer 5.5 – Status: Upgrade Now
  • Initial Release: December 31, 2000
• Internet Explorer 5.0 – Status: Upgrade Now
  • Initial Release: September 18, 1998

These dates may change, please refer to Microsoft’s Life-cycle Support Site for the most current dates.