Windows 10 IoT LTSC and Windows Server series still provide 10 years of support
Previously, Microsoft believed that enterprises should not use the long-term service version of Windows 10, because the long-term service version has a slower replacement cycle that will not allow users to get the best experience.
Among them, the long-term service version belongs to the enterprise branch and therefore is not launched for ordinary consumers, but in fact, many consumers do use the long-term service version.
For enterprises, the long-term service version pursues stability rather than functional updates. Seeing that it is useless, Microsoft has shortened the long-term service version support cycle to five years.
Although some companies have complaints about this, however, they depend on Microsoft, but for certain specific versions, Microsoft has no guts to shorten the support cycle by five years.
Microsoft’s Internet of Things systems based on Windows 10 includes the Internet of Things version and the Internet of Things long-term service version. These systems are all built for the Internet of Things devices.
The IoT industry has special needs. For example, IoT devices equipped with related systems may be used for more than five years, and some may be used for up to ten years.
It is more difficult for such devices to directly upgrade the entire operating system through the network, but it is relatively simple to provide basic security updates.
Therefore, the Windows 10 IoT LTSC long-term service version launched by Microsoft still provides 10 years of support, that is, 10 years of security updates will be provided from the release date.
According to the latest support document released by Microsoft, the support period for the above version ends on January 9, 2029, and security support can still be provided for up to 8 years.
The long-term support version of the Internet of Things is called Windows 10 IoT 2019 LTSC, and the branch versions included are Enterprise and Internet of Things Core Edition.
Another product that Microsoft cannot easily modify the support period is Windows Server, which is a system provided by Microsoft for data centers and cloud computing platforms.
Normally, Windows Server releases a new version every 3 years. For example, the latest version of the current server system is Windows Server 2019.
For enterprises, the pursuit of servers is also stability and security. Functional updates are not necessary for enterprises. Some servers can run for up to ten years easily.
In order to reduce the possibility of business interruption, Microsoft also provides 10-year security support for Windows Server, that is, it does not need to upgrade to a new version after 10 years of release.
The advantage of this is that companies do not have to spend manpower and material resources to migrate the system every few years. Of course, for Microsoft, providing a longer cycle is also a performance of competitiveness.
The latest version of the current server system, Windows Server 2019, will end on January 9, 2029, which is the same as the long-term service version of the Internet of Things.
