Windows 11 Announced – What’s the Impact on the Windows IoT/Embedded Versions?

On June 24, 2021, Microsoft announced they would release a new version of Windows in the 2021 holiday season. This release will not be another build version of Windows 10 as we’ve received twice annually for the past six years, but something they previously stated would never occur – Windows 11.

The announcement made no mention of the embedded IoT channel, leaving our embedded and IoT customers with many questions. It wasn’t until July 2nd when a Microsoft blog provided some answers. This page outlines key support lifecycle facts for Windows 11 products and the future of Windows 10 and legacy offerings.

Key points to note about the Windows 11 non-IoT versions (Windows 11 Home, Pro, and Enterprise):

• Windows 11 Home & Pro will be available on select direct OEM devices this holiday season.
• Windows 11 Home & Pro will not be available as a stand-alone product until some time in 2022.
• Windows 11 will be available to Insider preview members in July 2021.
• Windows 11 will only get one new feature build per year (goodbye to the SAC twice-annual feature builds. Source: Windows 11 Support Cycle)
• Windows 11 Home & Pro build releases will get 24 months of support (vs. Win 10 for 18-30 months).
• Windows 11 Enterprise & Education build releases will get 36 months of Support (vs. Win 10 for 18-30 months).
• Select qualifying Windows 10 systems can get a free upgrade to Windows 11 sometime next year.

What is the status of Windows 10 and older products?

What about Windows 11 IoT?

The Microsoft blog states –  “We will also release IoT versions of Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022. The first release of Windows 11 IoT Enterprise will have a servicing timeline of 36 months from the month of release as described in our lifecycle documentation. We will announce more information around these releases in the future.”

Given that the Windows 11 IoT Enterprise version will have 36 months of support, the first release will fall under the SAC family. However, because the Windows 11 family will only have a single release per year it will not be named “SAC” and instead will just be called Windows 11 IoT Enterprise.

Microsoft has now officially released the General Availability date for Windows 11 IoT Enterprise: Oct 5th, 2021

Some key support lifecycle facts for Windows 11 IoT Enterprise:

• Windows 11 IoT Enterprise will have only one release per year.
• Windows 11 IoT Enterprise will be based on the first release of Windows 11 Enterprise.
• Windows 11 IoT Enterprise will get 36 months of support per build.

Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC

The Long Term Service Channel (LTSC) edition will be called Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC. The Long Term Service Channel (LTSC) edition is estimated to be released near the end of 2024 as the LTSC products are on a 3 year release cycle. Email to get the latest news, updates, and answer questions on all Windows IoT products via windowsiot@arrow.com.

References

• ^{Windows IoT support lifecycle and upcoming releases blog}
• ^{Windows 11 Support Lifecycle}
• ^{Search Product and Services Lifecycle Information}
• ^{Windows 10 IoT Lifecycle}
• ^{Windows 10 Home and Pro Lifecycle}
• ^{Is Windows 11 Coming?}

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.