Windows 10 moving to annual updates like Windows 11 — what you need to know

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Update: Microsoft may be preparing to add ads to File Explorer in Windows 11

Microsoft plans to update Windows 10 annually with all future updates. Previously, the Redmond-based company released two Windows 10 updates per year. After the November 2021 update that was released today, Windows 10 will not receive another update until late in 2022.

"We will transition to a new Windows 10 release cadence to align with the Windows 11 cadence, targeting annual feature update releases," wrote Microsoft’s head of Windows servicing and delivery, John Cable in a blog post. "The next Windows 10 feature update is slated for the second half of 2022."

Microsoft plans to continue supporting Windows 10 until October 2025. This means we’ll still get a handful of updates for the aging operating system. With that said, it’s likely these will not be significant updates considering the company’s focus on Windows 11. That means you still have time before you need to update to Windows 11. Hopefully, you’ll have a computer capable of meeting Microsoft’s current stringent Windows 11 requirements by then.

TOPICS

Tony is a computing writer at Tom’s Guide covering laptops, tablets, Windows, and iOS. During his off-hours, Tony enjoys reading comic books, playing video games, reading speculative fiction novels, and spending too much time on X/Twitter. His non-nerdy pursuits involve attending Hard Rock/Heavy Metal concerts and going to NYC bars with friends and colleagues. His work has appeared in publications such as Laptop Mag, PC Mag, and various independent gaming sites.