The American company Microsoft has confirmed that the official support by the company for the Windows 10 versions will end on October 14, 2025. This leaves in cloths smaller to the vast majority of users who still operate with this operating system. However … there are a couple of exceptions of which you may not be aware.
Although the main versions of Windows 10 are the “Pro” version and the “Home”, there are two other versions not so well known: Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC and Windows 10 IoT LTSC. They will be the Survivors to the screen established by Microsoft, since their period of useful life in which he will receive updates of all kinds will extend for 7 more years.
What do we know about these versions?
The Windows 10 Entrerprise LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) version has as its target audience those companies that need long-term lasting stability. This environment is configured not to cause interruptions during the operational processes of these companies. Their updates are not as frequent as those of the rest of the editions, and only includes in them the security and corrections of great importance. In addition, it does not include some pre -installed applications in the rest of the versions, such as Microsoft Store. Its objective is to avoid distractions and reduce vulnerabilities.
The other alternative (IoT, translated as “Internet of Things”) is more focused for smart devices. Its design includes support for specific software architectures and allows broader customization of the operating system. It also prioritizes stability above updates. His operation can be found in systems such as industrial robots or medical devices. As you can understand, the updates must be the indispensable for their operation, as its use should be prioritized.
The importance of both versions has its origin that base their activity on issues where vital importance should not be interrupted. We can find both versions in the medical equipment of hospital facilities, in factories that need stable control systems and maintain an optimal level of production, or in public services and infrastructure where errors in the system can have consequences of deep draft (imagine that An smart traffic light system or a public transport network fails)
Implications of maintaining these systems
It is true that Microsoft will continue to offer support for both versions, but this will not be in exchange for anything:
Said extended support will not be free for users who possess it. It will require additional costs that companies must face with new disbursements. In addition, the applications that make use these systems may not be compatible with Windows 11, which will undoubtedly delay the transition to the new operating system when the time comes.
To avoid any type of problem that the support ends, you have the version you possess, it is advisable that you make sure that all your hardware meets the requirements that Windows 11 asks for proper functioning, and if necessary, you look for alternatives such as Linux, who offer a free experience in contrast to Microsoft’s. For those companies that possess the versions that we have specified, the ideal situation would be to migrate progressively and get ahead of any scenario in which it also remains without the necessary support for its activity.
After all, extended support is a temporary patch that avoids short -term consequences, but sooner or later, each person or institution must choose a path to take, whether inside or out of Windows.
