14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is warning customers running the Enterprise and Education versions of Windows 10 version 1703, also known as Creators Update, to upgrade their devices as soon as possible.
The end of support for these two remaining versions of Windows 10 Creators Update will be reached on October 9, after which no other security patches would be published.
Windows 10 version 1703 was released in early 2017, and as part of Microsoft’s lifecycle policy, Enterprise and Education SKUs continue to be serviced after consumer siblings are retired. Windows 10 version 1703 Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, and IoT Core reached the end of life on October 8, 2018.
Windows 10 version 1809, the long-term destination
But coming this October, Windows 10 version 1703 is getting the final demise, and customers are recommended to upgrade to supported versions as soon as possible.
“There is no extended support available for any edition of Windows 10, version 1703. Therefore, it will no longer be supported after October 9, 2019 and will not receive monthly security and quality updates containing protections from the latest security threats,” Microsoft warns.
“To continue receiving security and quality updates, Microsoft recommends that you update your devices to the latest version of Windows 10.”
The long-term alternative for businesses looking to upgrade is Windows 10 version 1809, also referred to as October 2018 Update. As per Microsoft’s servicing policy, this particular OS version will be supported until May 11, 2021 for Enterprise and Education editions. Support for Home, Pro, and Pro for Workstations SKUs would be pulled a year earlier.
Microsoft currently offers a total of 18 months of support for Windows 10 versions that are released in the spring (typically finalized in March and shipped in April or May) and 30 months of support for fall Windows 10 feature updates (finalized in September and shipped in October).