Microsoft Gives Windows 10 Version 1511 New Life With Six Months Additional Support
Microsoft has decided to extend support for one of the earliest builds of Windows 10, version 1511, which it released two years ago. The early build is getting six additional months of support (through April 2018) from Microsoft, though not for all users. Microsoft's support extension applies to anyone using Windows 10 Enterprise or Windows 10 Education, and not the regular version of Windows 10.
"To help some early enterprise adopters that are still finishing their transition to Windows as a service, we will be providing a supplemental servicing package for Windows 10, version 1511 for an additional six months, until April 2018, providing updates to address critical and important security issues that arise during that time. These updates will be available to anyone using Windows 10 Enterprise, version 1511 or Windows 10 Education, version 1511. Updates will be offered via all normal channels, including Windows Update, WSUS, Configuration Manager, and the Windows Update catalog," Microsoft said.
Microsoft updated the initial version of Windows 10 (build 1507, or Threshold 1) to 1511 (Threshold 2) in November, 2015. Since then, Microsoft has released three major updates, including the Anniversary Update (Redstone 1), the Creators Update (Redstone 2), and the recently released Fall Creators Update (Redstone 3). Going forward, Microsoft has committed to releasing two major upgrades to Windows 10 each year, the next of which will be Redstone 4 sometime in early 2018.
The support extension for enterprise and education customers comes a month after Microsoft officially ended support for Windows 10 version 1511, as the company goes full steam ahead with its Windows-as-a-Service model.
"After October 10, 2017, Windows 10 devices running version 1511 will no longer receive security and quality updates... Since version 1511 was released in November 2015, Microsoft has released additional feature updates that build upon each other, delivering the newest features and more comprehensive security. Windows 10 was designed as a service, whereby feature updates are required a couple times a year," Microsoft said at the time.
So why delay the support cutoff date for some users? According to Microsoft, some of its customers asked for additional time as they work to finish updating their PCs.
"To help some early enterprise adopters that are still finishing their transition to Windows as a service, we will be providing a supplemental servicing package for Windows 10, version 1511 for an additional six months, until April 2018, providing updates to address critical and important security issues that arise during that time. These updates will be available to anyone using Windows 10 Enterprise, version 1511 or Windows 10 Education, version 1511. Updates will be offered via all normal channels, including Windows Update, WSUS, Configuration Manager, and the Windows Update catalog," Microsoft said.
Microsoft updated the initial version of Windows 10 (build 1507, or Threshold 1) to 1511 (Threshold 2) in November, 2015. Since then, Microsoft has released three major updates, including the Anniversary Update (Redstone 1), the Creators Update (Redstone 2), and the recently released Fall Creators Update (Redstone 3). Going forward, Microsoft has committed to releasing two major upgrades to Windows 10 each year, the next of which will be Redstone 4 sometime in early 2018.
The support extension for enterprise and education customers comes a month after Microsoft officially ended support for Windows 10 version 1511, as the company goes full steam ahead with its Windows-as-a-Service model.
"After October 10, 2017, Windows 10 devices running version 1511 will no longer receive security and quality updates... Since version 1511 was released in November 2015, Microsoft has released additional feature updates that build upon each other, delivering the newest features and more comprehensive security. Windows 10 was designed as a service, whereby feature updates are required a couple times a year," Microsoft said at the time.
So why delay the support cutoff date for some users? According to Microsoft, some of its customers asked for additional time as they work to finish updating their PCs.
