Microsoft is widening the scope of the Extended Security Update (ESU) program to cover more versions of Windows. The ESU program came to attention with the end of mainstream support for Windows 10, with Microsoft eventually being forced to give all users a way to gain access to security updates for a few more years.
But this was for particular editions of Windows 10, and it left other users unsure about where they stood. Now Microsoft has announced that the ESU program is expanding to include three additional editions of Windows.
The three Windows editions in question are Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016, Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2016 LTSB, and Windows Server 2016. The first two will reach end of support in October this year, while the latter has a cutoff date in January 2027.
Just as with the current ESU program, in expanding it to include these editions of Windows, a further three years of security updates is being made available to users.
Microsoft explains:
Three Windows products first released in 2016 are close to reaching end of support (EOS) on the following dates:
- Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016: October 13, 2026
- Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2016 LTSB: October 13, 2026
- Windows Server 2016: January 12, 2027
If your organization still uses the products listed above, your devices will receive a final monthly security update on these dates. After that, these devices will no longer receive Windows security updates, non-security updates, bug fixes, technical support, or online technical content updates.
The good news? If you need additional time, you can use the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program.
What is the Extended Security Update program?The ESU program is not intended to be a long-term solution but rather a temporary bridge.
- What Extended Security Updates are: The ESU program offers critical and important security updates only (as defined by the Microsoft Security Response Center). Technical support is limited to the activation of the ESU licenses, installation of ESU monthly updates, and addressing issues that may have been caused by an update.
- What Extended Security Updates are not: Extended Security Updates do not include new features, quality fixes, or design change requests. The ESU program does not extend technical support for Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016, Windows IoT Enterprise LTSB 2016, or Windows Server 2016.
Extended Security Updates are available for purchase for up to three years after the end of the mainstream support date.
Of course, Microsoft would much rather that people moved on to officially supported versions of Windows weherever possible, and it uses the latter half of the announcement to try to push users in this direction.
Microsoft refers to the ESU program as giving people “the gift of time”, and concludes by saying:
The more complex your environment, the more lifecycle events you need to juggle – we know! If you expect to have devices remaining on Windows Server 2016 or Windows 10 Enterprise 2016 LTSB after those versions reach end of support, consider the ESU program. However, we do recommend that you work to upgrade to the latest LTSC releases of Windows for the best experience, which are currently:
Follow this article and the Windows message center for more details, when available.
Image credit: Alexey Novikov / Dreamstime.com
