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Setting the Record Straight on Windows 10 Pro End of Support

Ken Marlin
Ken Marlin
Supplier Manager
Windows 10 End of Support

My biggest competitor to Windows IoT isn’t Linux or Android. It’s Windows Pro.

That might sound surprising—but in many cases, customers choose Windows Pro for their fixed-purpose devices simply because of misinformation. Sometimes, they’ve read something inaccurate online about Windows IoT. Other times, they just couldn’t find enough information at all. And so, they default to what they know: Windows Pro.
That’s precisely why I’m writing this blog. It’s time to clear up the confusion.

Windows IoT is purpose-built for you if you’re building a fixed-purpose device or appliance. It offers the control, flexibility, and long-term support Pro simply can’t. With Windows 10 Pro reaching the end of support in October 2025, now is the right time to make the move to Windows IoT and keep running Windows 10 securely and reliably for years.

At Arrow, we’ve seen a sharp uptick in questions about Windows 10 lately. That spike is likely due to the upcoming end-of-support deadline. And what we’re finding is that for many customers, this is the first time they’ve even heard of Windows 10 IoT.

Let me touch on a few things I often hear from customers when it comes to Windows IoT:

  • “I was told that IoT indicates that the device must be connected to the internet.”
  • “Windows IoT can only be used for industrial controllers that run a single application.”
  • “IoT stands for connected devices, and I can only use it if my devices are all connected.”
  • “IoT doesn’t get any updates and thus many newer software applications won’t work with it.”
  • “My software application is only certified on Windows 10 Pro, so I can’t use IoT.”
  • “I already paid for Win Pro when I purchased the device, and I don’t want to buy Windows again.”

In addition to those common misconceptions, there’s much confusion around Windows 10 End of Support and its meaning.

Here are a few real questions and comments we’ve received from customers:

  • “Once Support ends, will the computer stop working?”
  • “When Support ends, can’t I just maintain security by keeping a 3rd party antivirus tool updated?”
  • “For the Win 10 IoT LTSC product w/10 years support, do I have to pay for the extended support?”
  • “What is ESU and how can I get it for my Windows 10 devices?”
  • “How difficult is it to switch from Windows Pro to Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC?”

Let’s examine the most common misconceptions and explain why Windows IoT Enterprise is the right choice for fixed-purpose devices.

What Windows IoT Is—and Isn’t

First, let’s define Windows IoT. It’s a family of operating systems specifically intended for OEMs that manufacture and build fixed-purpose appliances. You might think “IoT” means everything has to be connected to the Internet—but that’s not true. Windows IoT is the evolution of Windows Embedded, which has been serving this market for over 30 years. It’s designed for use across any industry vertical—not just industrial controllers. You can run a single application or multiple applications on a device, whether or not it connects to the Internet. Many OEMs build completely offline devices using Windows IoT. The client IoT editions even support deferred activation, allowing systems to run without ever connecting to the Internet.

What About the Windows 10 IoT LTSC Edition?

Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC Edition is a long-term support version of Windows designed for fixed-purpose devices. It offers enterprise features, enhanced control, and 10 years of security updates without disruptive feature changes.

Here’s where things often get confusing:

  • Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC editions only receive Quality Updates—mainly security patches or critical hotfixes.
  • They do not receive Feature Updates, which can sometimes disrupt system stability or application compatibility.

Your appliance can remain secure without changing the environment you certified and tested. That’s a huge win for long-term reliability.

Also, most applications that run on Windows 10 Pro will run just fine on Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC, since it’s built on Windows 10 Enterprise—an upgrade from Pro. You’ll also get added control and manageability features exclusive to Enterprise editions.

Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 is the final Windows 10 release and will be supported through January 2032.

Windows 10 Lifecycle Overview

Windows 10 Lifecycle Overview

What about Cost?

Customers often ask about cost, especially if they feel they’ve already paid for Windows 10 Pro bundled with a device. Here’s the reality: when you buy from OEMs like Dell, Lenovo, or HP, the Pro license is a part of the bundle—and the OEM likely paid very little for it.

That minimal cost shouldn’t prevent you from gaining all the benefits of IoT LTSC. IoT licensing is priced based on processor class, and the investment is well worth the long-term support, enhanced reliability, and reduced maintenance.

What is the Migration Process from Windows 10 Pro to Windows 10 IoT?

The migration process is simple, but there’s a caveat: a clean install is required if you’re currently on Windows 10 Pro 22H2, because IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 is based on the build 21H2.

That said, we at Arrow can help. We offer migration support and engineering services to make your transition smooth and successful.

Windows 10 Pro GAC vs Win 10 IoT Ent LTSC Road Map

What Happens When Windows 10 Pro Support Ends?

Windows 10 Pro support ends on October 14, 2025. For the first time, Microsoft is offering Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Home and Pro editions, previously available only to IoT OEMs with signed agreements.

Here’s how ESU pricing breaks down:

  • Windows 10 Home:
    • ~$30 for 1 year (may not be extended further)
  • Windows 10 Pro:
    • Year 1: $61 per device
    • Year 2: $122 per device
    • Year 3: $244 per device

So yes, you can keep running Pro beyond 2025—but it’ll cost you more each year.

Windows IoT: Built-In Long-Term Support

Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSB/LTSC editions already come with 10 years of support.

However:

  • LTSB 2015 (ends October 2025) will not receive ESU
  • For LTSC 2019 and LTSC 2021, ESU plans are still to be announced

Your Path Forward

If you’re an OEM currently using Windows 10 Pro for fixed-purpose appliances, now is the time to transition to Windows IoT. You can:

  • Move to Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 and receive support until January 2032
  • Begin testing Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024, which extends support to October 2034

Both options keep your appliances secure, stable, and supported for years.

If you have questions or need help navigating your transition, reach out to us—we’re here to help. For questions on ESU or IoT, contact us at windowsIoT@arrow.com.

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AI and GPU Capabilities AI-Ready Capabilities: Supports multi-instance GPU pooling and partitioning, enabling complex AI models and GPU-intensive applications. GPU Partitioning and Pooling: Enables sharing GPU resources across virtual machines (VMs) to support AI workloads. Performance and Resource Optimization NVMe Storage Performance: On identical systems, it delivers up to 70% more storage IOPS performance than Windows Server 2022. Block Cloning Support: With the ReFS file system format, block cloning offers significant performance improvements during file copying. Persistent Memory and HCI Performance Boosts: Delivers performance enhancements for virtualized SQL Server instances using persistent memory and improves Hyper-Converged Infrastructure (HCI) configurations and includes updates to Windows Admin Center. 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Maximizing IoT Potential: The Benefits of Custom Windows IoT Image Development
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Maximizing IoT Potential: The Benefits of Custom Windows IoT Image Development
Ken Marlin
Ken Marlin
Supplier Manager

Based in Phoenix Arizona, Ken is a Microsoft Business Development Manager at Arrow Electronics. Ken is a 3-time Microsoft MVP on Windows IoT products and has over 35 years of experience in supporting all Microsoft products and channels. Known in the industry as the Windows Champ, Ken has a youtube channel that provides valuable information on getting started with Windows IoT products and “How To” informational videos. His specialty is helping customers with complex licensing on Windows Server, SQL Server and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise.

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