Documentation shows Redmond will support W10M for 36 months

Dec 2, 2015 08:21 GMT  ·  By

Windows 10 Mobile is just around the corner, and sources claim that Microsoft could finalize work on this project as soon as this week, but more information on what comes next after the public launch takes place is now available thanks to leaked documentation.

Microsoft will continue to support Windows 10 Mobile for consumers and businesses until January 2019 while the lifecycle start date is November 16, 2015, which could be another sign that the latest build that the company shipped as part of the insider program was actually the final version.

According to this documentation, the software giant will continue to provide software updates for Windows 10 Mobile for a total of 3 years, and some people are already speculating that, after support comes to an end, the company will actually debut a brand new version of the operating system.

While this is indeed possible (if Microsoft still finds the mobile market worth the effort by that time), keep in mind that January 2019 is actually the end of mainstream support whereas extended support will continue for a little bit longer beyond this date.

Incremental updates

In the description included in this documentation, Microsoft explains that all updates will be incremental, as opposed to cumulative, which are currently being used on Windows 10 for PCs - this allows users to install only the latest update to get all the previously released patches and bring their computers fully up to date.

“Microsoft will make updates available for the operating system, including security updates, for a minimum of 36 months after the lifecycle start date. These updates will be incremental, with each update built on the update that preceded it. Customers need to install each update in order to remain supported. The distribution of these incremental updates may be controlled by the mobile operator or the phone manufacturer from which you purchase the phone,” Redmond says.

For the moment, Microsoft hasn’t publicly acknowledged these dates, so take them with a pinch of salt until confirmation arrives.

Thank you for the tip, @vickymhatre6!