Neowin News Feed for: Lifecycle

Microsoft announces major change for Configuration Manager

Usama Jawad — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 12:52:01 +0000

Configuration Manager is still used in many enterprise environments, but Microsoft has now communicated a major change that IT admins will want to know about. Read more...

Microsoft announces surprise ESU programs for Skype for Business and Exchange

Usama Jawad — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 05:16:01 +0000

Microsoft has published advisories announcing Extended Security Update (ESUs) for some Skype and Exchange products, but there are many caveats. Read more...

Microsoft is halting some updates for older versions of Windows 10

Usama Jawad — Fri, 20 Jan 2023 06:46:01 +0000

Microsoft has decided to permanently halt preview updates for a couple of older, but still supported, versions of Windows 10. These updates will now only be offered to Windows 10 22H2 and Windows 11. Read more...

Microsoft is changing the way it bundles Python in Visual Studio

Usama Jawad — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 07:04:01 +0000

Microsoft has announced a significant change to its Python bundling strategy in Visual Studio. Going forward, new versions of the IDE will support the current broadly available version of Python. Read more...

Microsoft is ending support for Windows Thin PC next month

Usama Jawad — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 05:58:01 +0000

Microsoft has issued a reminder that it is retiring Windows Thin PC next month. The SKU is based on Windows Embedded Standard 7 and is a stripped down version of Windows 7 for low performance PCs. Read more...

Goodbye: Mainstream support for Windows Phone 8.1 is ending tomorrow

Usama Jawad — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 09:44:02 +0000

Mainstream support for Windows Phone 8.1 is wrapping up tomorrow. If the lifecycle support date isn't extended, three out of every four Windows phone users will be using an unsupported handset. Read more...

Support for the original version of Windows 10 is ending today

Usama Jawad — Tue, 09 May 2017 10:50:02 +0000

The original version of Windows 10 - that is version 1507 - is reaching the end of its lifecycle. Microsoft will no longer be issuing security updates to machines running this iteration of the OS. Read more...

Some new PCs running Windows 7 and 8.1 won't receive further updates

Usama Jawad — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 20:24:01 +0000

It appears that Microsoft has started blocking updates to some new PCs running older versions of Windows including Windows 7 and 8.1 in an effort to encourage users to upgrade to its latest OS. Read more...

Microsoft: Windows 7 does not meet the demands of modern technology; recommends Windows 10

Usama Jawad — Mon, 16 Jan 2017 16:20:02 +0000

With Windows 7 approaching the end of extended support in three years, Microsoft is once again encouraging enterprise users to upgrade to Windows 10, touting security features and enhancements. Read more...

Microsoft announces deadlines for end of support for various products

Usama Jawad — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 11:34:01 +0000

Microsoft has cautioned that some of its older software products are reaching end of support soon. The company has detailed workarounds and upgrade paths for each of them as well. Read more...

Microsoft extends SQL and Server lifecycle by an additional six years with Premium Assurance

Michael Firth — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 22:46:01 +0000

Microsoft is adding an official 'third tier' to the product lifecycle of Windows / SQL Server. Launching in 2017, customers can pay a fee for six years of additional support. Server 2008 lives on! Read more...