Meanwhile, Windows 11 launched to decent acclaim, with applause for the polish and boos for the weird upgrade restrictions. The OS received generally good reviews and met with success when it arrived - in part because it replaced Windows 8, which wasn't, er, as warmly received. The company announced the end date in June of 2021 as part of its ' modern lifecycle policy,' just prior to the launch of Windows 11. Windows 10 was first launched in 2015, and so will be discontinued exactly 10 years later.

However, Windows 10 may still be offered elsewhere from other retailers and OEMs, until Microsoft confirms otherwise. 'Customers have until Januto purchase Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro from this site,' a Microsoft spokesperson told The Verge, while advising customers to purchase Windows 11 instead.

However, it will continue to support Windows 10 with security updates until it's discontinued for good in October 2025. That date 'will be the last day this Windows 10 download are offered for sale,' according to Microsoft. As part of an effort to wind down support of Windows 10 Home and Pro, Microsoft is stopping sales of downloads on January 31st, according to a product page spotted by The Verge.