Below is the product life cycle and updates for Windows 11. Microsoft has made a small change to the life cycle of Windows 11 compared to Windows 10.
Let's see how Windows 11 maintenance updates differ from Windows 10. In short:
- Windows 11 will have cumulative monthly updates security which their size will be up to 40% smaller from Windows 10 cumulative updates.
- Windows 11 will have an annual feature update rate, a change from the Windows 10 half-yearly rate.
- Windows 11 will be supported for 24 months in Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations and Pro Education.
- Windows 11 will be supported for 36 months in Enterprise and Education versions.
- Windows 11 will be available to commercial customers through the existing Windows 10 servicing channels.
Wangui McKelvey, CEO, Microsoft 365, said:
"We've also heard from many of you that an annual update works best and a simplified service plan makes development easier."
Windows 10 had a six-month upgrade rate. This is changing in Windows 11 as it appears to be adopting an annual rate for feature updates. Many users rated the annual update better, hence the change in the Windows 11 life cycle from the half-yearly updates in Windows 10. Feature updates in Windows 11 will be released in the second half of the calendar year.
For Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, and Pro Education, updates will be supported for 24 months. For Enterprise and Education editions, they will be supported for 36 months.
According to the company, Windows 11 users have full control and transparency over updates, as well as system restart, update pause and other controls over optional updates. Users will be able to choose to start the feature update process from Windows 10 to Windows 11. If a system does not meet the minimum requirements, the update will not be allowed.
For enterprises, Windows 11 will be available through all existing Windows 10 maintenance channels. For Education and Enterprise editions, the service Windows Update for Business will allow consumers to have more control over the Windows update process.
Businesses can use Microsoft Endpoint Manager, PowerShell, or other custom tools created through the Microsoft Graph SDK to approve, schedule, or expedite updates. IT administrators can easily access monthly and function updates from the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.
Οι αθροιστικές μηνιαίες ενημερώσεις ασφαλείας των Windows θα συνεχιστούν και στα Windows 11. Θα υπάρχουν οι ενημερώσεις "B" ή Patch Tuesday κάθε μήνα στα Windows 11 για τις τελευταίες ενημερώσεις ασφαλείας. Ωστόσο, το μέγεθος των ενημερώσεων θα είναι μικρότερο κατά 40% σε σύγκριση με τις παλαιότερες ενημερώσεις.
Will Windows 10 and Windows 11 coexist?
Wangui McKelvey reports:
"We'll continue to support you if you use Windows 10"
Windows 11 will be available to everyone by the end of 2021. However, Microsoft will continue to support Windows 10 until 2025 and version 21H2 will also be released later this year along with the Windows 10 Long-Term Service Channel ( LTSC)
