Windows 10 Versions Explained: 22H2, Home, Pro & LTSC in 2026
The phrase Windows 10 versions can mean two different things. It can refer to the Windows edition you have — such as Windows 10 Home or Pro — or the Windows release installed on the PC, such as Windows 10 version 22H2.
That distinction matters more than ever in 2026 because Microsoft has stopped releasing new standard Windows 10 versions.
Quick answer: Windows 10 version 22H2 is the final standard Windows 10 release. Normal support for Windows 10 Home and Pro ended on 14 October 2025. Home and Pro are editions of Windows 10, while 22H2 is the release version. Older releases such as 21H2, 20H2 and 2004 are already out of support. Some specialised LTSC editions follow separate Microsoft lifecycle dates.
Windows 10 is no longer an actively developed standard operating system. Microsoft is not releasing another normal feature version after 22H2. Eligible Windows 10 22H2 personal PCs can enrol in Microsoft's Consumer Extended Security Updates programme for critical and important security updates through 12 October 2027.
Windows 10 Version vs Windows 10 Edition
These terms are often mixed together, but they describe different things.
Windows 10 edition
The edition determines which Windows features are available.
Examples include:
- Windows 10 Home.
- Windows 10 Pro.
- Windows 10 Enterprise.
- Windows 10 Education.
Windows 10 version
The version identifies the Windows 10 release installed on the computer.
Examples include:
- 22H2.
- 21H2.
- 21H1.
- 20H2.
- 2004.
For example: a computer can run Windows 10 Pro version 22H2. “Pro” is the edition and “22H2” is the Windows release.
What Is the Latest Version of Windows 10?
The final standard version of Windows 10 is:
Windows 10 version 22H2
Microsoft released Windows 10 version 22H2 in October 2022 and confirmed that it would be the final version of Windows 10.
There will not be another normal Windows 10 feature release such as 23H2, 24H2 or 25H2.
If an article tells you Windows 10 version 2004, 20H2 or 21H2 is the latest version, it is outdated. Version 22H2 is the final standard Windows 10 release.
Is Windows 10 22H2 still supported?
Normal Microsoft support for Windows 10 Home and Pro version 22H2 ended on:
14 October 2025
The operating system continues to work, but normal free:
- Security updates.
- Feature updates.
- Bug fixes.
- Microsoft technical support.
have ended for standard Home and Pro installations.
Windows 10 Version History
Windows 10 was originally released in 2015 and received regular feature releases for several years.
Some of the best-known Windows 10 versions include:
| Windows 10 version | Approximate release | Status for Home/Pro in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 22H2 | October 2022 | Final Windows 10 release; normal support ended October 2025 |
| 21H2 | November 2021 | Out of support |
| 21H1 | May 2021 | Out of support |
| 20H2 | October 2020 | Out of support |
| 2004 | May 2020 | Out of support |
| 1909 | November 2019 | Out of support |
| 1903 | May 2019 | Out of support |
| 1809 | November 2018 | Out of support |
| 1803 | April 2018 | Out of support |
| 1709 and earlier | 2015–2017 | Out of support |
If a normal Home or Pro computer is still running one of these older Windows 10 releases, it should not be treated as a currently supported Windows installation.
Updating from an old Windows 10 version to 22H2 does not restore normal Windows 10 support. Version 22H2 itself reached the end of standard support in October 2025.
Why Did Windows 10 Versions Have Names Like 22H2?
Microsoft used version names to identify Windows feature releases.
For example:
- 21H1 referred to a release from the first half of 2021.
- 21H2 referred to a release from the second half of 2021.
- 22H2 referred to the second-half 2022 Windows 10 release.
Earlier Windows 10 releases used numbers such as 1909 and 2004.
The naming changed over time, but the underlying purpose was similar: identifying which Windows 10 release was installed.
Windows 10 Home
Windows 10 Home is the standard consumer edition of Windows 10.
It provides the normal Windows environment for:
- Web browsing.
- PC gaming.
- Microsoft Office.
- Email.
- Streaming.
- Home working.
- Studying.
- Everyday Windows applications.
Home is still relevant where a customer specifically needs Windows 10 for an older compatible PC and does not require the additional Pro features.
Windows 10 Home is normally enough when:
- The computer is for normal personal use.
- You do not need full BitLocker management.
- You do not need Remote Desktop hosting.
- You do not use Hyper-V.
- The PC does not need workplace domain functionality.
Windows 10 Pro
Windows 10 Pro contains the normal consumer Windows features and adds functionality intended for business users, IT environments and advanced users.
Important Pro features include:
Full BitLocker management
Provides the full BitLocker Drive Encryption management tools available in Windows Pro.
Remote Desktop host
Allows the Windows 10 Pro PC to act as a host for Microsoft's built-in Remote Desktop connections.
Hyper-V
Provides Microsoft's Hyper-V virtualisation platform on compatible hardware.
Group Policy
Adds additional administrative controls for managing Windows behaviour and settings.
Domain joining
Supports traditional workplace domain environments.
Business management features
Includes additional functionality intended for centrally managed business PCs.
Pro is not automatically faster than Home. Choose Windows 10 Pro because you need one or more of its additional features, not simply because the word “Pro” sounds more powerful.
For a detailed comparison, see our Windows 10 Home vs Pro guide.
Windows 10 Enterprise
Windows 10 Enterprise was designed for organisations that need more extensive deployment, security and device-management functionality.
It is different from the normal consumer Home and Pro purchasing route.
Enterprise environments can include capabilities aimed at:
- Centralised IT management.
- Large-scale deployment.
- Enterprise security.
- Application control.
- Managed workplace devices.
Windows 10 Enterprise should not be confused with Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC. LTSC is a separate servicing model with its own lifecycle.
Windows 10 Education
Windows 10 Education was designed for schools, universities and other qualifying educational environments.
It contains advanced management and security functionality intended for institutionally managed PCs.
For an ordinary personal computer, Home or Pro is normally the relevant Windows 10 edition.
What Is Windows 10 LTSC?
LTSC stands for Long-Term Servicing Channel.
Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC editions are specialised Windows releases intended for particular organisational and fixed-purpose scenarios where frequent feature changes are undesirable.
They should not be treated as simply another consumer version of Windows 10.
LTSC releases follow their own Microsoft lifecycle. This is why you may see some Windows 10 products continuing to receive updates even though normal Windows 10 Home and Pro support ended in October 2025.
Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021
Microsoft lists Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 with support extending into January 2027.
Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021
This is a different product again.
Microsoft's lifecycle for Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 extends considerably further, with extended support into January 2032.
Do not use the IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 support date to claim that ordinary Windows 10 Home or Pro is supported until 2032. These are different Windows products with different licensing, purposes and lifecycles.
Is LTSC better than Windows 10 Pro?
Not for most home users.
LTSC exists for specialised deployment scenarios rather than as a consumer upgrade from Windows 10 Home or Pro.
If you simply need Windows for an everyday personal PC, compare Home, Pro and Windows 11 rather than seeking out LTSC because it has a longer lifecycle.
What Happened to Windows 10 Mobile?
The old version of this article described Windows 10 Mobile as though it were still a current Windows 10 option.
It is not.
Windows 10 Mobile was Microsoft's operating system for smartphones and some mobile devices. Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 Mobile years ago.
Windows 10 Mobile is not a current Windows edition to choose in 2026. It should only be discussed as part of Windows history.
How to Check Which Windows 10 Version You Have
You can check both the Windows edition and release without installing any additional software.
Method 1: Use winver
- Press Windows key + R.
- Type winver.
- Press Enter.
A window will show the Windows release and build information.
For a fully updated standard Windows 10 installation, you should expect to see Version 22H2.
Method 2: Windows Settings
Open:
Settings → System → About
Look under Windows specifications.
You should see information including:
- Edition.
- Version.
- OS build.
Edition
Windows 10 Pro
This tells you which feature set is installed.
Version
22H2
This identifies the Windows 10 release.
How to Check Whether Windows Is Activated
The Windows version and Windows activation status are separate.
Open:
Settings → Update & Security → Activation
Check:
- The installed Windows edition.
- Whether Windows reports as activated.
- Any activation error shown.
You may not need another Windows licence. If the correct Windows edition is already activated on the computer, buying another product key is normally unnecessary.
If you are unsure, use the:
Windows 10 Extended Security Updates in 2026
Microsoft's Consumer Extended Security Updates programme is intended to reduce the security risk for eligible Windows 10 personal PCs that need more time before moving to Windows 11.
Consumer ESU applies to eligible devices running:
Windows 10 version 22H2
Microsoft currently states that Consumer ESU continues through:
12 October 2027
Consumer ESU provides:
- Critical security updates.
- Important security updates.
It does not provide:
- New Windows 10 feature versions.
- New product functionality.
- Normal feature development.
- General Microsoft technical support.
ESU does not create a “Windows 10 2026 version” or “Windows 10 2027 version”. The operating-system version remains Windows 10 22H2. ESU simply extends eligible security servicing.
Can You Update an Older Windows 10 Version?
If a PC is still running an old Windows 10 release such as 2004, 20H2 or 21H2, it is well outside the normal lifecycle for that release.
Where hardware and software compatibility permit, the appropriate routes are generally:
- Update to Windows 10 22H2 if the machine must remain on Windows 10.
- Move to Windows 11 if the PC meets Microsoft's requirements.
- Replace or retire hardware that cannot safely support a current operating system where security is important.
Moving to Windows 10 22H2 alone does not return the PC to normal free support. It is still Windows 10, which reached standard end of support in October 2025.
Windows 10 or Windows 11 in 2026?
For a modern compatible PC with no specialist Windows 10 requirement, Windows 11 is normally the better long-term choice.
Windows 10 still makes sense where:
- The PC cannot meet Windows 11 requirements.
- Legacy software specifically requires Windows 10.
- Specialist hardware depends on Windows 10 drivers.
- An existing business environment requires Windows 10 compatibility.
- You are restoring or maintaining an established Windows 10 system.
Before choosing Windows 10 purely because it is familiar, check whether the computer can run Windows 11:
Which Windows 10 Version Should You Use?
If you specifically need ordinary Windows 10 in 2026, the answer is much simpler than it was when Windows 10 was receiving regular feature releases.
Windows 10 22H2
This is the final standard Windows 10 release.
Do not deliberately install an older Home or Pro release such as 2004 or 21H2 for normal use.
Windows 10 Home
Suitable where Windows 10 is specifically required for ordinary personal computing and Pro-only features are unnecessary.
Windows 10 Pro
Choose Pro when you need features such as full BitLocker management, Remote Desktop hosting, Hyper-V, Group Policy or domain joining.
Enterprise / LTSC
Specialised Microsoft licensing and deployment products rather than normal consumer alternatives to Home and Pro.
For a completely new consumer PC that supports Windows 11, Windows 10 Home or Pro should not normally be the first choice. Windows 10 is now mainly a compatibility and legacy option.
Windows 10 Versions Checklist
Check the edition
Home, Pro, Enterprise or Education tells you which Windows feature set is installed.
Check the version
Use winver or Settings → System → About.
Look for 22H2
It is the final standard Windows 10 release.
Check activation
Settings → Update & Security → Activation.
Understand end of support
Normal Home and Pro support ended in October 2025.
Check ESU if staying on Windows 10
Eligible 22H2 personal PCs can receive extended security updates through October 2027.
Do not confuse LTSC with normal Windows 10
LTSC products follow separate licensing and lifecycle rules.
Check Windows 11 compatibility
A supported modern PC should normally move to Windows 11 unless there is a genuine Windows 10 requirement.
Related Windows Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the latest version of Windows 10?
Windows 10 version 22H2 is the final standard Windows 10 release. Microsoft has confirmed that there will not be another normal Windows 10 feature version.
Is Windows 10 version 2004 still current?
No. Windows 10 version 2004 was released in 2020 and is long out of support. It should not be described as the current or latest Windows 10 version.
What is the difference between Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 22H2?
Pro is a Windows edition. 22H2 is the Windows release version. A computer can therefore run Windows 10 Pro version 22H2.
Are Windows 10 Home and Pro still supported?
Normal Microsoft support for Windows 10 Home and Pro ended on 14 October 2025. Eligible Windows 10 22H2 personal PCs can enrol in Microsoft's Consumer ESU programme for critical and important security updates through 12 October 2027.
Will Microsoft release Windows 10 23H2 or 24H2?
No. Microsoft confirmed that Windows 10 version 22H2 is the final standard Windows 10 version.
What is Windows 10 LTSC?
LTSC stands for Long-Term Servicing Channel. It is a specialised Windows Enterprise servicing model intended for particular organisational and fixed-purpose scenarios. LTSC releases have separate lifecycle dates from ordinary Windows 10 Home and Pro.
Is Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 still supported?
Yes. Microsoft lists Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 with support extending into January 2027. This does not extend the support lifecycle of ordinary Windows 10 Home or Pro.
Is Windows 10 supported until 2032?
Not ordinary Windows 10 Home or Pro. Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 has a separate lifecycle extending into 2032, but it is a different specialised Windows product.
Does Windows 10 Mobile still exist?
Windows 10 Mobile is an obsolete Microsoft smartphone operating system and is no longer a current Windows 10 option.
How do I check my Windows 10 version?
Press Windows key + R, type winver and press Enter. You can also open Settings → System → About and check the Windows specifications section.
What version do I need for Windows 10 Consumer ESU?
Microsoft's Consumer Extended Security Updates programme applies to eligible personal devices running Windows 10 version 22H2.
Should I install Windows 10 or Windows 11 in 2026?
If your computer supports Windows 11 and you have no specific Windows 10 compatibility requirement, Windows 11 is normally the better long-term choice. Windows 10 remains relevant for older hardware, legacy software and specialist environments.
