Q: Hotfix Support for Microsoft Products

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

Version NumberMarketing NameRelease DateEnd of Support
Home / ProEnterprise
Windows 10 Home/ProPlatformJuly 29, 2015October 14, 2025
22H22022 UpdateOctober 2022May 14, 2024May 13, 2025
21H2November 2021 UpdateNovember 2021June 13, 2023June 11, 2024

Windows 10 – Unsupported Releases

Version NumberMarketing NameRelease DateEnd of Support
Home / ProEnterprise
21H1May 2021 UpdateMay 2021December 13, 2022
20H2October 2020 UpdateOctober 2020May 10, 2022May 9, 2023
2004May 2020 UpdateMay 2020December 14, 2021
1909November 2019 UpdateNovember 2019May 11, 2021May 10, 2022
1903May 2019 UpdateMay 2019December 8, 2020
1809October 2018 UpdateNovember 2018November 10, 2020May 11, 2021
1803April 2018 UpdateApril 2018November 12, 2019May 11, 2021
1709Fall Creators UpdateOctober 2017April 9, 2019October 13, 2020
1703Creators UpdateApril 2017October 9, 2018October 8, 2019
1607Anniversary UpdateAugust 2016April 10, 2018April 8, 2019
1511November UpdateNovember 2015October 10, 2017
1507Windows 10 RTMJuly 2015May 9, 2017

Security Fixes Only

    Operating SystemInitial ReleaseMainstream Support EndsExtended Support Ends
    Windows 8.1November 2013January 9, 2018January 10, 2023

    Discontinued Operating Systems

    Probably should think about upgrading your computer at this point.

    Operating SystemInitial ReleaseMainstream Support EndsExtended Support Ends
    Windows 8.0October 2012N/AJanuary 12, 2016
    Windows 7October 2009January 13, 2015January 14, 2020
    Windows VistaJanuary 2007April 10, 2012April 11, 2017
    Windows XPDecember 2001April 14, 2009April 8, 2014
    Windows 2000March 2000June 30, 2005July 13, 2010
    Windows MEDecember 2000December 31, 2003July 11, 2006
    Windows 98June 1998June 30, 2002July 11, 2006
    Windows NT Workstation 4.0July 1996June 30, 2002June 30, 2004
    Windows 95August 1995December 31, 2000December 31, 2001

    Microsoft Office Suites

    Windows Versions

    Suite VersionInitial ReleasedMainstream Support EndsExtended Support Ends
    Office 2021October 2021N/AOctober 13, 2026
    Office 2019September 2018October 10, 2023October 14, 2025
    Office 2016September 2015October 13, 2020October 14, 2025
    Office 2013January 2013April 10, 2018April 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

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.

Last updated on

Comments

Be the first to comment on this Article

Leave a Comment

Support Options

On Premise Support

Need help in your home or office? No problem, we can come to you!

Learn More

Remote Support

Do you need assistants, but your too busy? Then Remote Support is the Best Option!

Learn More

Get Help Online

Need help right now? Then the forums are the best place for immediate help.

Forums

Polls

How often do you replace your primary computer?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...