Microsoft flags falsely Windows 10 21H2 Enterprise LTSC as EOL

[German]Brief information for owners and administrators of Windows 10 21H2 Enterprise LTSC (and, of course, the IoT version). Administrators of these machines are (incorrectly) being shown information that support for this version is now ending. In my opinion, this is not correct, as LTSC versions receive 5 or 10 years of support.

Windows 10 22H2 is EOL

Microsoft released the final updates for Windows 10 22H2 on October 14, 2025, but updates will continue to be available for ESU license holders. There are also the so-called LTSC versions of Windows 10, which will reach end of life at a later date. Here are the end of life dates communicated by Microsoft to date.

• Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019: End of support January 9, 2029
• Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021: End of support January 12, 2027
• Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2019: End of support January 9, 2029
• Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021: End of support January 13, 2032

Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 has a shorter 5 years lifespan. So if you have Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 installed, you should still receive security updates until the beginning of 2027, no ifs, ands, or buts.

Windows 10 21H2 Enterprise LTSC shows also EOL

German blog reader Markus posted this night this comment (thanks) and reported that Microsoft had also declared Windows 10 21H2 Enterprise LTSC as EOL. Below is a screenshot of the Microsoft article, claiming EOL.

The End of service statement declares all Windows 10 versions to be "End of Service." This also applies to the LTSC variants, if the above text is to be believed. Redmond declare that the listed versions of Windows 10 have reached the end of their lifecycle. Devices running the above versions of Windows 10 will no longer receive monthly security and quality updates that provide protection against the latest security threats. To continue receiving security and quality updates, Microsoft recommends upgrading to the latest version of Windows 11.

A test in Windows 10 21H2 Enterprise LTSC

Blog reader Markus then tested it on Windows 10 21H2 Enterprise LTSC and installed such a version. He actually gets the message "no longer supported" in Windows Update. Bolko writes in this comment that he gets the following message:

"Your version of Windows is no longer supported."
"Your device will no longer receive security updates."

However, Bolko also mentions that there is a Continue Updates button below the message in the Windows Update window. And under Advanced Options, you can manually suspend updates until March 13, 2026.

My test with Windows 10 IoT 2019 Enterprise LTSC

I have a machine running Windows 10 IoT 2019 Enterprise LTSC here and had the October 2025 updates installed. After restarting, these updates are shown as installed. Windows Update also does not list anything about an end of updates.

It's a false flag operation from Redmond

The message and the support document are not accurate in my opinion. All LTSC version will receive support and security updates until the dates I mentioned above. A German reader zitet here Microsoft's Copilot answer:

In Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC, Microsoft incorrectly displays the end of life after the update on October 14, 2025!

What happened?
With the October update, Microsoft apparently accidentally set an EOL flag for Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 (version 21H2) and IoT Enterprise LTSC.

…

You can ignore the EOL warning as long as you are using the LTSC version.

Microsoft is expected to fix the issue with a future update.

No action is required for security-critical systems (e.g., industrial PCs, medical technology) as long as the LTSC version is installed correctly.

My two cents

Well that's the next fat fail from Microsoft, the flagging of Enterprise LTSC versions als EOL are definitely wrong. Don't know, what they are doing or smoking in Redmond, that such a flaw isn't fixed immediately.

Microsoft probably is currently reaping the rewards of its AI Copilot obsession. No matter how you look at it. For those who still haven't woken up, this should be a wake-up call to finally consider alternatives to Microsoft Windows and other products.

I'll see if I can get WinBoat set up on my Linux machine—and if it can deliver on its promise of "running any Windows application on Linux" by testing some of these stubborn Windows applications. Applications such as graphics tools or PDF viewer programs that I use were able to run in Wine.

Similar articles:
Microsoft Security Update Summary (October 14, 2025)
Patchday: Windows 10/11 Updates (October 14, 2025)
Patchday: Windows Server-Updates (October 14, 2025)

Windows 10: Surprise, there is an ESU support extension; also for private users
Windows 10: Prices for Extended Security Updates announced
Microsoft wants 30 US-$ for 1 year Windows 10 consumer support extension
Windows 10: News about ESU program – free options for consumers
Windows 10: ESU information and FAQ for home users
Windows 10: 0patch provides 5 years of additional support
Windows 10: End of support in October 2025 – Million systems about to be replaced?
0patch secures Microsoft Office 2016 and 2019 after October 2025
Windows 10: End of support in October 2025 – Million systems about to be replaced?
Microsoft's Marketing tales: Windows 11 is free for a short time; support for Microsoft 365 app ends in October 2025 for Windows 10
End of support for Windows 10 and Office 2016/2019 in October 2025 – Part 1
Running Windows 10 and Office 2016/2019 securely after October 2025 – Part 2
Microsoft, sustainability and Windows 11 as an environmental disaster
Petition to Microsoft demands Windows 10 support extension
Canalys warns: Windows 10 support end will send at least 250 million PCs to the land fills
Windows 10: Microsoft offers ESU in the EEA without conditions for consumers
Windows 10 22H2 reports end of support – US consumer organization calls for ESU for all