The end of Windows 10 Mobile the facts

Microsoft plans to end support for Windows 10 Mobile on December 10, 2019. The company revealed plans to end support for the mobile operating system on a support page on the company's website.

Support may end earlier than that for certain handsets running Windows 10 Mobile. All mobile devices upgraded to Windows 10 Mobile version 1709 will receive updates until the end of support day. Mobiles that run Windows 10 Mobile version 1703 on the other hand won't receive updates after June 11, 2019 anymore.

End of support does not mean that customers can't use their devices anymore; this will still be possible. The devices won't receive security updates or other updates after support end though.

Your Windows 10 Mobile device should continue to work after December 10, 2019, but there will be no updates after that date (including security updates) and device backup functionality and other backend services will be phased out

Third-party support and paid support may provide ongoing support according to Microsoft.

Microsoft suggests that customers switch to devices running the Android or iOS operating systems (and use Microsoft apps on these devices).

With the Windows 10 Mobile OS end of support, we recommend that customers move to a supported Android or iOS device. Microsoft's mission statement to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, compels us to support our Mobile apps on those platforms and devices.

Windows 10 Mobile end of support facts:

• Windows 10 Mobile 1703 support ends on June 11, 2019.
• Windows 10 Mobile 1709 support ends on December 10, 2019
• Creation of new device backups continues to work until March 10, 2020.
• The Windows Device Recovery tool will remain available to provide recovery images for Windows 10 Mobile devices. Microsoft did not reveal when it plans to end support for the tool.
• Photo upload and device backup restoration services will work for 12 months after end of support (up to June 11, 2020 or December 10, 2020 depending on the Windows 10 Mobile version).
• The App Store may continue to work after end of support.
• Windows Update still supports updates for Windows 10 Mobile devices. Microsoft states that it has no plans to "remove historical Windows 10 Mobile updates from Windows Update".

Customers who plan to run devices with Windows 10 Mobile after support end are encouraged to craete manual backups; this is done under Settings > Update & Security > Backup > More Options > Back up now.

Closing Words

Microsoft never managed to get a strong foothold in the mobile market. The purchase of Nokia did not change much in that regard (other than putting the final nail in Nokia's coffin).

The end of Windows 10 Mobile and the focus on producing applications for Android and iOS devices marks an end of an era of failed attempts to create a major mobile operating system.

Now You: What went wrong, in your opinion? (via Deskmodder)