Lifecycle FAQ - Device operating systems

Windows 10 Mobile, version 1709 (released October 2017) is the last release of Windows 10 Mobile and Microsoft will end support on December 10, 2019. The end of support date applies to all Windows 10 Mobile products, including Windows 10 Mobile and Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise. Windows 10 Mobile users will no longer be eligible to receive new security updates, non-security hotfixes, free assisted support options or online technical content updates from Microsoft for free.

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Windows Phone 8.1 reached the end of support on July 11, 2017.

Starting with Windows 10 Mobile, Microsoft will make updates available for the operating system on your phone, including security updates, for a minimum of 24 months after the lifecycle start date. These updates will be incremental, with each update built on the update that preceded it. To remain supported, customers need to install each update that is released. Distribution of the updates may be controlled by the mobile operator or the phone manufacturer from which you purchased your phone. Update availability will also vary by country, region, and hardware capabilities.

Updates are cumulative, with each update built upon all of the updates that preceded it. A device needs to have the latest update installed to remain supported.

Updates may include new features, security and/or non-security fixes, or a combination of both. Not all features in an update will work on all devices.

A device might not be able to receive updates if the device hardware is incompatible, lacking current drivers, or otherwise outside of the Original Equipment Manufacturer's ("OEM") support period.

Update availability might vary, for example by country, region, network connectivity, mobile operator (e.g., for cellular-capable devices), or hardware capabilities (including, e.g., free disk space).

Third-party products that integrate with Microsoft products such as the Windows Mobile operating system are not included in the Microsoft Lifecycle Policy. Please contact your mobile operator or OEM for support and warranty information about your mobile hardware.

The Windows Mobile Lifecycle Policy covers the Windows mobile operating system. Downloadable applications and subscription services are supported by the publisher.

Microsoft will make updates available for the Windows Embedded Handheld operating system, including security updates, for five years after the lifecycle start date. Product updates will be incremental, with each update built on the update that preceded it. To remain supported, customers need to install each update that is released. When a future release doesn't operate on currently supported hardware, Microsoft will provide five years of support from the date of notice of the upcoming hardware change.

Microsoft will make updates available for the operating system, including security updates, for five years after the lifecycle start date. Distribution of the updates may be controlled by the mobile operator or the device manufacturer from which you purchased your device. Update availability will also vary by country, region, and hardware capabilities.

Third-party products that integrate with Microsoft products, such as the Windows Embedded 8.1 Handheld hardware, are not included in the Microsoft Lifecycle Policy. Please contact your mobile operator or OEM for support and warranty information about your mobile hardware.

The Windows Embedded 8.1 Handheld Lifecycle Policy covers the Windows Embedded 8.1 Handheld operating system. Downloadable applications and subscription services are supported by the publisher.

Based on feedback from enterprise customer and enterprise handheld OEMs, our customers need enterprise-class lifecycle support for their operating systems to ensure they can stay on a supported platform for a longer time than the lifecycle for a mobile operating system allows. Therefore, the enterprise handheld device lifecycle is greater than the lifecycle for a mobile device.

For bug requests, security fixes, or change requests, enterprise customers can receive support from their relevant device manufacturer.