#Windows three year cycle

Microsoft may just be gearing up to switch to its original three-year development cycle for major versions of Windows. The report comes from Windows Central, suggesting that Microsoft may shift back to its original three-year cycle with Microsoft also planning to increase the output of new features rolling out to the latest versions of Windows. Microsoft had originally abandoned its three-year cycle with Windows 10 last launching in 2015, Windows 8 launching back in 2012, and Windows 7 back in 2009. Furthermore, it reported that Windows 11 version 22H2 may ship the features of Sun Valley 3 and kick off its effort (internally called "Moments") of dropping new features up to four times a year outside major OS releases. This reportedly would help product teams ship its new features much sooner with Microsoft having supposedly tested this with the rollout of the Taskbar weather button on Windows 11 earlier this year. To keep those legacy machines safe from potential threats, the tech giant introduced the Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) program last year, allowing personal account users to opt into continued patch coverage. Since Windows 10 was supposed to be retired at the end of 2025, the 1-year extension program was originally scheduled to reach its absolute end on October 12, 2026. [caption id="attachment_325429" align="aligncenter" width="570"] Windows 11[/caption] For users holding out against Windows 11 due to their own personal preferences, or those whose hardware fails to meet the stricter upgrade requirements; this buys an extra year of safe operating time without worrying about unpatched vulnerabilities. Read more in our articles including "Microsoft reportedly switching to a 3-year development cycle, may release Windows 12 in 2024" and "Microsoft extends Windows 10 lifespan for another year... again".