Question 1

What happens when Windows Embedded reaches end of life?

Accepted Answer

When Windows Embedded reaches end of life, it stops receiving security patches, bug fixes, and new features. Currently, 6 Windows Embedded versions are already EOL.  Running an EOL version exposes your systems to unpatched security vulnerabilities with no official fix available.

Question 2

Is Windows Embedded still supported?

Accepted Answer

Check the version table above for the support status of each Windows Embedded release.

Question 3

Is it safe to use Windows Embedded after end of life?

Accepted Answer

No. Running Windows Embedded after EOL is not safe for production systems. Once a version reaches end of life, newly discovered CVEs are published publicly but never patched — leaving your systems permanently exposed. The only safe path is upgrading to an actively supported Windows Embedded release.

Question 4

How to upgrade from Windows Embedded compact-2013 to Windows Embedded the latest version?

Accepted Answer

To upgrade Windows Embedded to the latest version: (1) review the official migration guide for breaking changes, (2) test your application against the new version in a staging environment, (3) update dependencies that have version constraints, (4) run your full test suite, (5) deploy with a rollback plan. The earlier you start, the more time you have to resolve compatibility issues before EOL.

Question 5

When is the next Windows Embedded LTS version?

Accepted Answer

Not all Windows Embedded releases have a designated LTS status. Check the version table above — LTS releases are marked with an "LTS" badge. Refer to the official Windows Embedded release policy for information on upcoming long-term support versions.

Question 6

How long does Windows Embedded support each version?

Accepted Answer

On average, Windows Embedded supports each release for approximately 119 months (~9.9 years).  The exact EOL date for each version is listed in the table above.

Version	Released	Active support	EOL date	Until EOL	Latest	CVEs	Status
8.1-industry	Nov 25, 2013	Jul 10, 2018	Jul 11, 2023	1064d ago	—	—	EOL
8.1-pro	Nov 13, 2013	Jan 9, 2018	Jan 10, 2023	1246d ago	—	—	EOL
compact-2013	Aug 11, 2013	Oct 9, 2018	Oct 10, 2023	973d ago	—	—	EOL
posready-7	Sep 10, 2011	Oct 11, 2016	Oct 12, 2021	1701d ago	—	—	EOL
compact-7	Mar 15, 2011	Apr 12, 2016	Apr 13, 2021	1883d ago	—	—	EOL
standard-7-sp1	Feb 28, 2011	Oct 13, 2015	Oct 13, 2020	2065d ago	—	—	EOL

Windows Embedded End of Life Dates

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