Support for Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1803 (April 2018 Update), on consumer-based licenses, will be ending in just a few weeks. Microsoft has already started recommending an update to all end-users before the forced upgrade begins.

“Windows 10, version 1803 will reach the end of servicing on November 12, 2019. This applies to the following editions* of Windows 10 released in April of 2018: Windows 10, version 1803, Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, and IoT Core,” Microsoft published on their website. “These editions will no longer receive security updates after November 12, 2019. Customers who contact Microsoft Support after this date will be directed to update their device to the latest version of Windows 10 to remain supported.”

Despite this only applying to non-enterprise licenses of Windows 10, since Enterprise and Education licenses will expire on November 10, 2020, it’s still imperative for all unsupported versions to be upgraded as soon as possible. Any unsupported devices will not receive the latest and greatest quality updates from Microsoft and will be left open to vulnerabilities until upgraded.

Earlier this year, Microsoft officials stated that they were putting AI algorithms in place that would automatically update those on older variants of Windows 10 directly to 1903, the May 29109 Update via the Windows Update service.

As of July 16, Microsoft started to initiate this upgrade for devices “that are at or nearing end of service and have not yet updated their device,” Microsoft’s documentation states.  “Based on a large number of devices running the April 2018 Update, that will reach end of 18 months of service [in November], we are starting the update process now for Home and Pro editions to help ensure adequate time for a smooth update process.”

Although this started back in June and we can only hope many personal devices have been automatically upgraded, end-users always seem to choose their own path and have been known to ‘turn-off’ the Windows Update services. Whether a personal device in a non-enterprise setting or versions of Windows 10 Pro being used within an organization, it’s still possible these consumer versions may exist within the industry and could potentially be left out-of-date as well as a major vulnerability within the network.

Leverage a Cloud-Based Solution

Trusting Windows Update alone, or even WSUS with Pro versions, may or may not bring these devices to a supported version.

Using a cloud-based solution to bring older Windows 10 devices up-to-date ensures success and standardization, whether devices are inside or outside the network.