Īs of September 2022, the most recent version of Windows is Windows 11 for consumer PCs and tablets, Windows 11 Enterprise for corporations, and Windows Server 2022 for servers. However, Windows is not the most used operating system when including both mobile and desktop OSes, due to Android's massive growth. Windows is the most popular desktop operating system in the world, with 75% market share as of April 2022, according to StatCounter. The first version of Windows was released on November 20, 1985, as a graphical operating system shell for MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces (GUIs). Defunct Windows families include Windows 9x, Windows Mobile, and Windows Phone. For example, Windows NT for consumers, Windows Server for servers, and Windows IoT for embedded systems.

Each family caters to a certain sector of the computing industry. Windows is a group of several proprietary graphical operating system families developed and marketed by Microsoft.

Windows 9x and earlier: Monolithic ( MS-DOS).

Windows Embedded Compact/Windows CE: Hybrid.

ESUs will continue for three years, renewable on an annual basis, until October 13, 2026. Remain on-premises by upgrading to Windows Server 2022 or purchasing Extended Security Updates (ESUs)Ĭustomers needing to stay on-premises can upgrade to Windows Server 2022, or purchase Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for Windows Server 2012 – providing up to three years of security updates only. For on-premises servers, customers can use Azure Arc to receive automated/scheduled ESU updates and installation as well as the security and governance capabilities in Azure.

Migrate to Azure and receive up to three years of free Extended Security Updates (ESUs)Ĭustomers can migrate applications and databases to Azure Virtual Machines and receive free Extended Security Updates for three years after the end of support. After this date, these products will no longer receive security updates, non-security updates, bug fixes, technical support, or online technical content updates. Microsoft has migration guidance for both cloud and on-premises solutions. Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 will end on October 10, 2023. Please go here to search for your product's lifecycle.

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