Microsoft is stopping download sales on January 31st as part of a plan to wind down support for Windows 10 Home and Pro, according to a product page discovered by The Verge. According to Microsoft, that day “will be the last day that this Windows 10 download [and crucial license keys] are provided for sale.” But until it is permanently dropped in October 2025, it will still provide security updates for Windows 10.
A Microsoft representative informed The Verge that consumers had until January 31, 2023, to buy Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro from this site, but suggested that they buy Windows 11 instead. However, unless Microsoft officially states otherwise, Windows 10 may still be made available from other vendors and OEMs.
Windows 10 will be discontinued exactly 10 years after its initial release, which was in 2015. Just before the release of Windows 11, the firm disclosed the end date in June 2021 as part of its “modern lifecycle policy.” The operating system was largely well-received and successful when it was released, in part because it superseded Windows 8, which wasn’t, well, as well-liked.
In the meantime, Windows 11 was released to generally positive reviews, with compliments for the polish and criticism for the odd upgrade limitations. After the release of Windows 10, the minimum system requirements were lowered, although migrating away from Windows 10 has reportedly remained difficult.
