What we know about Windows 11 Product Lifecycle and Servicing Updates

In this article, we are going to talk about Windows 11 Product Lifecycle and Servicing Update. Microsoft has made a slight change to the product lifecycle of Windows 11 as compared to Windows 10.

Let us check out how Windows 11 lifecycle and servicing update will be different than Windows 10. In short:

• Windows 11 will receive cumulative monthly security updates that are up to 40% smaller in size than Windows 10 cumulative updates.
• Windows 11 will have an annual feature update cadence, a change from the semi-annual cadence of Windows 10.
• Windows 11 will come with 24 months of support for Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, and Pro Education editions.
• Windows 11 will come with 36 months of support for Enterprise and Education editions.
• Windows 11 will be available to commercial customers via existing Windows 10 servicing channels.

Windows 11 will have annual feature update cadence

Wangui McKelvey, General Manager, Microsoft 365, stated:

“We’ve also heard from many of you that an annual update works best for you, and a simplified servicing plan makes it easier to deploy.”

Windows 10 used to have a semi-annual upgrade cadence. This is changed in Windows 11 as there will be an annual feature update cadence. A lot of users reviewed that the annual update is better, hence the change in Windows 11 lifecycle from semi-annual updates in Windows 10. The feature updates in Windows 11 will release in the second half of the calendar year.

For Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, and Pro Education editions, the updates will come with 24 months of support. As for Enterprise and Education editions, they will come for 36 months of support.

Windows 11 users have full control and transparency to device updates including schedule restart, pause update, and other control over optional updates. Users can choose to initiate the feature update process from Windows 10 to Windows 11. Although if users don’t meet hardware and minimum requirements, the update won’t be available.

Windows 11 for commercial organizations

For commercial organizations, Windows 11 will be obtainable through all existing Windows 10 servicing channels. As for the Education and Enterprise editions, the Windows Update for Business deployment service will allow consumers to have more IT control over the Windows update process.

Businesses can use Microsoft Endpoint Manager, PowerShell, or custom tools created through Microsoft Graph SDK to approve, schedule, or accelerate updates. The IT admins can have easy access to monthly and feature updates on Windows release health on the Microsoft 365 admin center.

Windows 11 Security Updates

Windows cumulative monthly security updates are kept in Windows 11 as well. There will be a “B” release or Patch Tuesday release every month in Windows 11 to keep up with the latest security concerns. However, the update size is now reduced up to 40% as compared to the previous update size. These updates will make sure to keep your device protected and at the same time productive. There will also be monthly “C” release preview updates for Windows Insider Program/ Windows Insider Program for Business.

Windows 10 and Windows 11 will coexist?

Wangui McKelvey says:

As you make the move to Windows 11, we will continue to support you as you use Windows 10

Windows 11 will be available to general users by the end of 2021. However, Microsoft will continue to support Windows 10 till 2025, and version 21H2 will also be released later this year with Windows 10 Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) edition.

There will be more details on the Windows 11 update and how they will be available to you. We thrive on bringing Windows updates and news to your attention. So, stay tuned!