[German]It's clear that Microsoft is already developing successors to Windows 10/11 and Windows Server 2022. Now, however, the first hints have come to my attention that there might be a Windows 12 and a Windows Server 2025. So there is still an "on-premises" server operating system planned by Microsoft. Here some information, what came under my eyes.
Advertising
Windows 10 is Oct. 2025 EOL
The first date that is relevant for many users – and decision makers in companies – is in 2025. Microsoft has set the end of support for Windows 10 to October 14, 2025.
- his applies to both Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro, as well as Pro Education, Pro for Workstations, as can be seen in the life cycle document.
- Windows 10 Enterprise and Education will also be out of support on this date, see this Life Cycle document.
Only the LTSC variants of Windows 10 will be supported a bit longer (Windows 10 1909 Enterprise LTSC will be supported until 2029 – but this variant is only used in special scenarios.
There is indeed Windows 11 as a client operating system. But I'm not sure if this product isn't already so burned that Microsoft will soon focus on a successor.
And Windows Server?
In the area of server operating systems, Windows Server 2022 is the current version. This operating system still receives support with security updates until October 14, 2031, as can be seen in the life cycle document. So still plenty of time? But the end of mainstream support has been set for October 13, 2026.
So you can count on five fingers that there could be a successor by 2025 at the latest. In fact, while researching, I found a reference to the development of Windows Server 2025 on the site changewindows.org.
Advertising
Does VMware already know more?
German blog reader Stefan contacted me Friday in a personal message on Facebook and sent me the following text along with two photos. Stefan wrote (I've translated his text):
Hi Günter,
I have something for a blog entry on occasion ;-).
Appears when you want to configure a new VM in a current vSphere 8 ;-)
Thanks for your blog and have a nice weekend!
Stefan
I'm glad to hear that, but I didn't immediately snag what was meant. Only when I took a closer look at the following photos, I realized what was meant. If you configure a new virtual machine in VMware vSphere 8, "Windows 12" is already offered as the guest operating system.
"Windows 12" as vSphere 8 guest os
Only a 64-bit version of this operating system is still available – a 32-bit version should no longer be available. The second photo, on the other hand, shows "Windows Server 2025" as a vSphere 8 guest operating system.
"Windows Server 2025" as vSphere 8 guest os
Of course, that doesn't have to mean anything, Microsoft could name the products differently. But since the VMware people cooperate very closely with Redmond, I assume that this was not "sucked out of the fingers, but will be more concrete. Thanks to Stefan for the hint.
Similar articles
Microsoft will stop Windows 10 perpetual license sales to consumers by Jan. 31, 2023
Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool (MSDT) for Windows 11 will be deprecated in 2025
Lansweeper Windows 11 Readyness-Test: Almost 50% of systems still incompatible in October 2022
Windows 7/Server 2008 R2 receive 0patch micropatches in 2023 and 2024
Windows Server 2022: MS 365 apps to be supported
Windows as a service: Future feature updates only every 3 years?
