Windows 10 version 21H1 reached end of servicing on December 13, 2022. It is already unsupported and no longer receives normal security updates or fixes. Press Windows key + R, enter winver, and check whether the PC is still on 21H1. If it is, back up important data and plan a move to a supported Windows release; consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) do not cover 21H1.
Updated for August 2026.
When did Windows 10 version 21H1 support end?
Microsoft ended servicing for Windows 10 version 21H1 on December 13, 2022. That is the specific deadline for 21H1, the first-half 2021 feature update. Microsoft’s Windows release announcement distinguishes it from the subsequent 21H2 release.
Do not confuse that date with Windows 10’s later general end-of-support date. Version 22H2 was the final general Windows 10 release, and ordinary Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. Microsoft’s Home and Pro lifecycle page identifies 22H2 as the final version for those editions. Enterprise and Education editions have their own lifecycle dates; consult Microsoft’s Enterprise and Education lifecycle page rather than applying Home and Pro dates to them.
21H1, 21H2, and 22H2 are different releases
- 21H1: the release named in this article; servicing ended December 13, 2022.
- 21H2: a separate release with end dates that vary by edition.
- 22H2: the final general Windows 10 version; ordinary Windows 10 support ended October 14, 2025.
If a device says 21H2 rather than 21H1, do not use the 21H1 date to determine its lifecycle status.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
What end of support means for a 21H1 PC
An unsupported release no longer receives its normal Microsoft security updates, vulnerability fixes, reliability and bug fixes, or technical support for that release. As new vulnerabilities are found, an unpatched operating system can become increasingly exposed. Newer software and services may also become less compatible over time.
The computer does not suddenly stop working on the deadline. Existing files and applications may continue to run, but that does not mean the operating system is receiving security fixes. Windows Update may still open; the presence of the update screen alone does not prove that the installed release is supported.
Rank #2
- 15.6" diagonal, HD (1366 x 768), micro-edge, BrightView, 220 nits, 45% NTSC.
Check your Windows version and edition
Use winver
- Press Windows key + R.
- Type
winverand press Enter. - Read the version shown in the About Windows window.
Use Settings
- Open Settings.
- Select System, then About.
- Under Windows specifications, note the version and edition.
Record both values. The version tells you which release is installed; the edition—such as Home, Pro, Enterprise, Education, Pro Education, or Pro for Workstations—can affect lifecycle dates and ESU eligibility.
Choose a supported path from 21H1
Back up important files before a feature upgrade, and check that essential applications and peripherals will work with the destination system. Then choose a route based on the PC and how it is managed:
Rank #3
- 10th Generation Intel Core i5-1035G1 processor
- 12GB system memory for full-power multitasking
- 256GB Solid State Drive
- 15.6" Micro-edge touchscreen display
- If the PC meets Windows 11 requirements: use Microsoft’s PC Health Check or compatibility checker, install available Windows updates, and follow a Microsoft-supported Windows 11 installation method. Microsoft says an eligible Windows 10 PC must be running 22H2 and meet the minimum hardware requirements to upgrade after Windows 10 support ended; see its Windows 10 support guidance. Do not assume every 21H1 installation can upgrade directly.
- If Windows 11 is not an option but the PC can reach 22H2: update to 22H2, then assess whether consumer ESU is available for the edition and device. This is a temporary bridge, not a return to ordinary Windows 10 support.
- If the device is managed by an organization: ask the IT administrator about the migration plan or commercial ESU. Consumer enrollment rules and price do not automatically apply to company-managed computers.
- If the PC is too old, unreliable, or incompatible: replace it with supported hardware, or consider a managed/cloud desktop if that suits the workload and connectivity.
Before an upgrade, also verify access to the account used on the PC and, if device encryption or BitLocker is enabled, keep the recovery key somewhere accessible outside the computer.
What Windows 10 22H2 and ESU can—and cannot—do
Moving from 21H1 to 22H2 gets a PC onto the final general Windows 10 release and is a prerequisite for consumer ESU. It does not restart ordinary Windows 10 support or create another feature-release cycle. A 21H1 PC cannot enroll directly in consumer ESU.
Rank #4
- Latitude 7480 Laptop 14"
- Intel Core i7 6th Gen i7-6600U -Core Processor 2.6GHz (3.4GHz With Turbo Boost)
- 256 GB SSD Hard Drive & 16GB Memory
- 1920x1080 FHD resolution Non-Touch with Webcam and an integrated graphics chip
- Wireless Wifi & Bluetooth
Microsoft’s current Windows 10 ESU page says eligible Windows 10 22H2 PCs can receive extended security updates through October 12, 2027. An older Microsoft end-of-support page still displays October 13, 2026. The current ESU page is the newer source for the consumer program’s date; check it for current terms and regional availability.
Consumer ESU eligibility and coverage
Microsoft lists consumer ESU for Windows 10 22H2 Home, Professional, Pro Education, and Pro for Workstations devices. The PC must have the latest Windows update installed, and enrollment requires an administrator Microsoft account that is not a child account. Consumer ESU is not intended for devices joined to an Active Directory domain or Microsoft Entra, enrolled in mobile-device management, operating in kiosk mode, or already covered by another ESU license. Microsoft distinguishes Microsoft Entra-registered devices from Entra-joined devices; registration alone does not have the same stated exclusion.
Best Value
ESU provides critical and important security updates only. It does not provide new features, design changes, general bug fixes, or ordinary technical support, and it does not prevent a later Windows 11 upgrade.
Enrollment options and cost
For eligible consumer devices, Microsoft currently lists three enrollment options: no additional charge when syncing PC settings, redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or a one-time purchase for $30 USD plus applicable tax (or a local-currency equivalent). Microsoft says one existing ESU license can cover up to 10 eligible devices. Availability and terms can vary by region, so confirm the details on Microsoft’s current ESU page before enrolling.
Enroll an eligible 22H2 consumer PC
- Open Settings.
- Go to Update & Security, then Windows Update.
- Select Enroll now when the ESU option appears.
- Sign in with an administrator Microsoft account if prompted.
- Choose an available method: settings synchronization, Microsoft Rewards points, or purchase.
- Return to Windows Update and confirm the enrollment status.
If Enroll now does not appear, check the version and edition, install the latest updates, and determine whether the device is organization-managed or otherwise ineligible. An option that is absent on 21H1 is not fixed by retrying enrollment; the PC must first be on eligible 22H2.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Business PCs need a separate ESU decision
Organizations with domain-joined, Entra-joined, MDM-managed, regulated, or specialized devices may need commercial ESU rather than consumer enrollment. Microsoft’s commercial Windows 10 ESU guidance describes that route. The consumer $30 price is not a business-fleet price; organizations should confirm licensing through Microsoft or their licensing partner. For companies considering a hosted Windows environment during migration, Microsoft describes Windows 365 and other transition options in its transition guidance.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Quick Recap
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using the 21H2 date for 21H1: they are separate releases, and edition can affect lifecycle dates.
- Assuming ESU extends 21H1: consumer ESU requires an eligible 22H2 PC.
- Treating ESU as full support: it is limited to critical and important security updates.
- Applying consumer rules to a business PC: organizational management can make consumer enrollment ineligible, and commercial licensing is separate.
- Assuming Microsoft 365 updates mean Windows is supported: Microsoft says Microsoft 365 Apps security updates on Windows 10 continue through October 10, 2028. That separate application-support timeline does not restore Windows operating-system support.
- Bypassing Windows 11 hardware requirements as if it were supported: a technically possible installation is not equivalent to a Microsoft-supported upgrade path and may carry update, driver, security, and stability risks.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
