Alongside the release of the April Patch Tuesday updates today, Microsoft also formally ended support for Windows 10 version 1607, known as the Anniversary Update, for Home and Pro users. PCs that remain on the Anniversary Update will no longer receive Microsoft's monthly updates going forward, potentially leaving them insecure.
In a note accompanying today's Patch Tuesday update for Windows 10 1607, Microsoft explained;
Windows 10 version 1607 will reach end of service on April 10, 2018. Devices running Windows 10 Home or Pro editions will no longer receive monthly security and quality updates that contain protection from the latest security threats. To continue receiving security and quality updates, Microsoft recommends updating to the latest version of Windows 10.
Though Pro and Home users are impacted by this move, Windows 10 and Education editions will still receive six months of additional servicing for version 1607, ending on October 9, 2018. Long-term servicing channels will still receive updates through October 2026. However, Enterprise and Education editions aren't all in the clear: Today marks the end of additional servicing for Windows 10 version 1511 as well.
This is all part of Microsoft's Windows as a Service (WaaS) model, which sees the company releasing more frequent major updates, but with a shorted general support period for each update. Though the Anniversary Update may no longer be supported for Home and Pro users, the Creators Update and Fall Creators Update will continue to receive monthly security updates in the coming months. Microsoft is also expected to release its feature update for spring 2018 any day now, so it will be added to the list soon.
