Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 support ends January 12, 2027 — what Microsoft’s ESU plan looks like

Microsoft has set the end-of-support date for Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021: January 12, 2027. After that, devices on this LTSC release will no longer receive monthly security updates unless they’re covered by the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. Coverage and pricing details are now public, giving IT teams enough runway to plan their next moves.

Mainstream Windows 10 reached end of support in October 2025, but LTSC builds have longer lifecycles by design. With LTSC 2021 approaching its own finish line, Microsoft is urging organizations to map out migration and update strategies ahead of the deadline.

What changes on January 12, 2027

The operating system will keep running, but Microsoft will stop delivering monthly security fixes, bug fixes, non-security improvements, and regular technical support for Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021. Running without security updates quickly compounds risk in enterprise environments where devices often have long service lives and stringent change controls.

ESU pricing and how it works

Microsoft will offer Extended Security Updates for up to three years after support ends:

• Year 1 pricing is $61 USD per device. Organizations using Microsoft Intune or Windows Autopatch can expect about a 25% discount, bringing Year 1 to around $45 USD per device (per Neowin’s report).
• ESU will be sold through Volume Licensing, with availability beginning September 1, 2026 (Neowin).
• Windows Latest reports that pricing doubles each year, and enrolling a device in a later ESU year requires purchasing prior years as well.
• Coverage is limited to critical and important security updates. It does not deliver new features, general quality fixes, design changes, or standard technical support (Windows Latest).
• With ESU, Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 can continue receiving security updates through January 8, 2030 (Windows Latest).

Who is not affected

Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 follows a different lifecycle and remains supported until January 13, 2032. According to Windows Latest, the new ESU offer does not apply to the IoT edition because it is already covered by its existing lifecycle.

For context, Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019 (and its IoT equivalent) remains supported until January 9, 2029 (Windows Latest).

Planning the next move

Microsoft’s recommended migration path is Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC 2024. For many environments, moving LTSC to LTSC is a predictable route that preserves the “no frequent feature updates” model. If your validation cycles, application dependencies, or hardware constraints make a 2026–2027 transition tight, ESU can serve as a temporary bridge—nothing more. ESU keeps security fixes flowing, but it does not restore full support or add features.

Organizations still running earlier LTSB releases should note the broader cadence: Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2015 reached end of support on October 14, 2025; LTSB 2016 remains supported until October 13, 2026, and Microsoft has also introduced paid ESU options for those editions (Windows Latest).

Key dates and details at a glance

• Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 end of support: January 12, 2027
• ESU purchase availability: September 1, 2026 (Volume Licensing)
• ESU Year 1 price: $61 USD per device; ~$45 with Intune/Autopatch (Neowin)
• ESU term for LTSC 2021: up to three years, through January 8, 2030 (Windows Latest)
• Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 support through January 13, 2032; ESU not offered for IoT (Windows Latest)
• Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019 support through January 9, 2029 (Windows Latest)

If your fleet includes LTSC 2021, this is the time to firm up timelines: decide whether you can complete a move to Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC 2024 before January 2027, or budget for ESU while you finish application and device migrations.

Sources

• Neowin: Microsoft shares Windows 10 LTSC end of support date, and extended security update details — https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-shares-windows-10-ltsc-end-of-support-date-and-extended-security-update-details/
• Windows Latest: Windows 10 LTSC 2021 is dying in 2027, Microsoft reveals what you need to know — https://www.windowslatest.com/2026/08/06/windows-10-ltsc-2021-is-dying-in-2027-microsoft-reveals-what-you-need-to-know/

Alex Mira

Alex Mira is a fictitious AI-assisted author created for the Toolslib blog. Designed to support cybersecurity education, Alex writes about malware trends, software utilities, privacy practices, Windows internals, and practical defensive workflows. Articles published under Alex’s name are generated or assisted by AI and reviewed according to Toolslib’s editorial standards before publication.