Deprecation: What it means in the Windows lifecycle

Did you know that deprecation is not the end point of the lifecycle? Lifecycle describes the length of time something lasts. Deprecation simply means that a Windows feature, functionality, or service is no longer in active development, and it will be retired and removed from a future release.

For your organization's IT health, you should regularly plan for and implement lifecycle changes for devices, apps, operating systems, tools, documents, and more. We know from your comments on our blog posts that those changes are complex. Let's define the basics to help you be ready and proactively manage Windows lifecycle and deprecation at your organization.

Lifecycle stages and terms

The lifecycle duration of a product depends on what that product is, but all finite entities have this in common: there is a beginning and an end.

• The beginning of a lifecycle is often described with the terms launch and availability.
• Once available, the product enters its most vigorous and productive period called support (this may also be known as servicing for products with version upgrades such as Windows). This period can be 2, 5, 10, or more years, depending on the policy.
• The end of a lifecycle is most clearly marked with the terms end of life, end of support, retirement, and removal. It's important to note that deprecation isn't among these end-of-life terms!

For additional details, see Lifecyle terms and definitions.

Deprecation isn't the end—it's an opportunity

Although deprecation is often thought of as “the end,” it's not. A deprecation announcement is an advance notice or a “save the date” courtesy to signal that the product will be retired or removed in the future.

Deprecated products are supported until their retirement or removal date; however, they are no longer in active development and won't evolve. Sometimes years can go by between the deprecation announcement and the actual end of the lifecycle, which gives you time to prepare for change.

When understood correctly, deprecation announcements are good news because:

• Lifecycle changes strengthen your organizational compliance goals as you'll always use in-support technology for better security and productivity.
• You can continue using the product with its current functionalities, but you should begin decreasing existing usage. It's also the time to stop initiating new uses for what's being deprecated, so you don't increase investment in something that is going away.
• You can avoid surprises by proactively planning and preparing for the end of the lifecycle, including creating an impact assessment and mitigation plan. This is also the ideal opportunity to begin considering next steps and new solutions.

Manage lifecycles proactively

Just as your organization evolves to adapt to changes in the global and local landscapes, technology does as well. That's why it's crucial that IT pros manage lifecycle changes. Here's what we recommend:

Stay in the know. Bookmark the Microsoft Lifecycle Policy as your consistent and predictable guidelines for the availability of support throughout the life of a product.

• Learn more about the Windows client features lifecycle.
• Read more about deprecated features for Windows client.
• For other Microsoft product lifecycles, get the specifics by browsing by product.

Be proactive. Document the lifecycle of all your Windows and Microsoft products in your inventory or other reporting efforts. Consider calendarizing and basing your hardware and software refresh cycles on the already available end-of-support dates. Come back regularly to check on the announcements and reminders that will help keep you up to date. Schedule lifecycle management time as part of your regular IT management responsibilities.

Let us help. In a complex IT environment where everything is on a different lifecycle, let us help! In addition to the announcements noted above, we intentionally publish important lifecycle news on a variety of channels to reach you early wherever you are. Find us on the channel that works best for you:

• Windows message center
• Microsoft 365 admin center
• Windows IT Pro Blog
• @MSWindowsITPro on X

And remember, the next time you see the word deprecation, it's not the end. It can be the beginning of something new, and you have time to prepare!

Continue the conversation. Find best practices. Bookmark the Windows Tech Community, then follow us @MSWindowsITPro on X and on LinkedIn. Looking for support? Visit Windows on Microsoft Q&A.