Microsoft: Outdated Windows devices will stop receiving security updates
Unsupported Windows versions will lose access to Windows Update services after certificate rotation.
Summary
Microsoft announced that devices running unsupported versions of Windows will no longer receive security updates starting in May and June 2027, following the rotation of Windows Update certificates. Users and administrators must upgrade to a supported Windows version before these certificates expire to continue receiving critical security patches. While systems on supported versions have already received new certificates, those on older versions need to install specific security updates or plan for an upgrade.
Full text
Microsoft: Outdated Windows devices will stop receiving security updates By Sergiu Gatlan October 9, 2026 06:12 AM 0 Microsoft says devices running unsupported versions of Windows will stop receiving security updates after next year's Windows Update certificate rotation. To ensure devices keep receiving updates, admins and users must upgrade to a supported version of Windows before the Windows Update certificates expire in May and June 2027. "As a standard security practice, these certificates have an expiration date. This means that they eventually need to be rotated (that is, replaced by new certificates). A set of these certificates will expire on May 17, 2027 and June 19, 2027," Microsoft said on Thursday. It also added that devices on unsupported versions of Windows "will lose access to Windows Update services and won't receive any updates as a result" and recommended "upgrading to a supported version of Windows client or server." In a separate Microsoft 365 Message Center update, it also noted that replacement certificates have already been delivered to systems running a supported Windows version and don't require additional action if they're up to date. Microsoft shared the following detailed guidance on the required actions by Windows version: Windows 11, version 25H2 and later: No action is required. Windows 11, version 24H2 and Windows Server 2025: Install the September 2025 security update or later before June 19, 2027. Other supported versions of Windows 11, Windows Server 2022, and Windows 10: Install the July 2026 security update or later before June 19, 2027. Windows 10 Enterprise 2019 LTSC, Windows Server 2019, and Windows Server 2016: Install the July 2026 security update or later before May 17, 2027. Other Windows versions: Upgrade to a supported version of Windows client or Windows Server. Microsoft advised IT administrators to identify all devices running older or unsupported Windows versions before the Windows Update certificate rotation in 2027. They should also deploy monthly Windows updates on all supported devices to keep them up to date and create an upgrade plan for unsupported devices before May and June 2027. "And if you do need to act on older device populations, there's still time! Review, update, and plan upgrades for unsupported versions before the May 2027 or June 2027 certificate expiration dates," it added. However, this doesn't apply to devices that receive updates from Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), which downloads updates and distributes them across enterprise networks. Last month, Microsoft released Windows 11, version 26H2 (also known as the Windows 11 2026 Update), which is now generally available for eligible Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 systems as a small enablement package (instead of a full OS replacement) in a phased rollout that will expand over the next few months. Build your security blueprint for AI-powered attacks Join Mikko Hyppönen and security leaders from the NFL, CHANEL, and Atlassian for a two-hour digital summit on what AI-speed attacks change, what defenders should stop doing, and how to validate, decide, fix, and re-validate at machine speed. Save your seat Related Articles: Windows 11 cumulative updates KB5124008 & KB5122880 releasedMicrosoft asks users to ignore 'Antivirus is turned off' errorsWindows 11 KB5120998 update released with 35 changes and fixesCritical RCE flaw in Windows IKE Extension now actively exploitedMicrosoft: Windows KB5124010 update crashes some games and apps