Microsoft made a change to its Windows 10 website that raises a big question about its next operating system

This isn't a big deal on its own — it's exactly how Windows has worked for the last several versions.

There's a 5 year "mainstream" period where Windows gets new features and substantial updates, and then an additional 5 years of security patches during an "extended" support period.

Past that ten years, business users can purchase custom support contracts — like the US Navy recently did with Windows XP, giving Microsoft millions to support the 14-year-old operating system. Meanwhile, Microsoft tends to issue a new version of Windows every three years or so, starting this cycle all over again.

What's odd is that Microsoft has repeatedly said that Windows 10 is "the last version of Windows," with the company promising time and again that it will deliver updates, features, security patches, and the like in an ongoing manner, rather than releasing a formal Windows 11 (or 12 or 13).

So then the question becomes, if Microsoft isn't going to release a new Windows in three years, or six years, or nine years, what happens to Windows 10 once that ten-year period of promised support expires?

It seems unlikely that Microsoft would start charging for Windows updates or support during the supported period, as some armchair analysts have suspected.

Sure Microsoft wants to make money off of subscription revenue. But the company's number one priority right now seems to be ensuring that everyone uses Windows 10 on all their devices.

After all, once the world's on Windows 10, and using the latest versions, Microsoft is in a better position to sell you stuff like the growing Office 365 productivity software suite as a paid subscription.

It's also why Microsoft is forcing Windows 10 updates on consumers. And as ZDNet's Ed Bott writes, Microsoft has clarified some of its language to indicate that the only thing that can stop you from getting Windows 10 updates while it's in that supported timeframe is if your device itself becomes incompatible with Windows 10 after an update.

But once the 10 year support lifecycle for Windows 10 is finished, Microsoft is free to do whatever it wants. It’s possible (though not likely) that Microsoft will move to a paid subscription model for Windows, or maybe it’ll simply extend the support period once that deadline is looming more closely. If Microsoft is serious about not planning a Windows 11 though, this is a mystery that will be with us for at least the next few years.

Microsoft has issued the following comment:

"We intend to offer security updates for Windows 10 as long as the device will support these updates. As servicing support for Windows 10 machines will vary by device, depending on the length of time OEMs decide to support their device, we encourage you to contact your device manufacturer for more information on your specific device."

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