With the release of the Windows 10 & 11 Operating Systems, Microsoft introduced a new way to build, deploy, and service Windows: Windows as a service. New features are packaged into Feature Updates. Bug fixes and security fixes are packaged into Quality/Feature Updates. These updates can be deployed using existing management tools like SCCM. To align with the new method of delivering feature and quality updates in Windows 10 & 11, Microsoft introduced the concept of servicing channels.
Historically, new versions of Windows 10 (also called feature updates) were released twice a year via the Semi-Annual Channel. Beginning with Windows 10, version 21H2 (the Windows 10 November 2021 Update), feature updates will be released annually in the second half of the year via the General Availability Channel
Microsoft announced that Windows 10 &11 new feature update releases will have a yearly cadence (2nd half of the Calendar year) in an annual servicing channel. The servicing and support information is available on Microsoft’s Whats new in Windows client deployment page. The servicing timeline for available Windows versions is available on Microsoft’s Windows Lifecycle Fact Sheet.
There are 3 types of servicing channels available:
Windows Insider Program
This program provides Preview Builds that registered entities can get access to validate new features as well as compatibility with existing apps and infrastructure prior to the new features being released in an Annual Channel.
General Availability Channel
This channel delivers the new per year feature update releases. Organizations can choose when to deploy updates from the General Availability channel.
Long-Term Servicing Channel
LTSC releases (formerly known as LTSB) are intended for specialized systems that often require a longer servicing option because of their purpose. The LTSC servicing model prevents Windows LTSC devices from receiving the usual feature updates and provides only quality updates to ensure that device security stays up to date.
For additional details on Windows as a service, please refer to:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/update/waas-overview
Note:
- This article is intended for publishing a support stance for newer Windows releases. To know the supported Windows versions of a specific product version during its release, we recommend referring to the product documentation.
- Installing Citrix software versions released prior to the General Availability version is not recommended. Customers who choose to do so will need to validate that any issue generating a Support call isn’t already addressed with a newer Citrix software version if available, and might be required to upgrade to a newer Citrix software version.
- If testing an Insider Preview build, it is recommended to use the latest available Current Release or Long Term Service Release version of Citrix VDA or Citrix Workspace App.
- Once a Windows version reaches End of Service that version is no longer serviced or supported by Microsoft. Citrix does not support running its software on an operating system that is not supported by its manufacturer. Please refer to Microsoft’s Windows Lifecycle Fact Sheet for Windows End of Service information.
See the table below for newer versions of Windows 10 and supported Citrix versions:
| Windows Version | OS Builds (Or higher) | Servicing Options | Citrix Support | Citrix Version | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 22H2 Update |
|
GA | Supported | **2209 or newer **2203 LTSR CU1 or newer **1912 LTSR CU5 or newer |
|
| Windows 11 22H2 | 22621.521 | GA | Supported | **2206 or newer **2203 LTSR CU1 or newer |
|
| Windows 11 21H2(Initial version) | 22000.194 | GA | Supported | **2109 or newer **2203 LTSR or newer |
|
| Windows 10 21H2, 2021 LTSC | 19044.1387 | SAC, LTSC | Supported | **2109 or newer **2203 LTSR or newer **1912 LTSR CU4 or newer *7.15 LTSR CU8 or newer |
|
| Windows 10 21H1 | 19043.928 | SAC | Supported | **2103 or newer **1912 LTSR CU2 or newer *7.15 LTSR CU7 or newer |
|
| Windows 10 20H2 | 19042.610 | SAC | Supported | **2009 or newer **1912 LTSR CU1 or newer *7.15 LTSR CU6 or newer |
|
| Windows 10 2019 LTSC | 17763.107 | LTSC | Supported | **2203 LTSR or newer CUs
**1912 LTSR or newer *7.15 LTSR CU3 or newer |
|
| Windows 10 2016 LTSB | 14393.447 | LTSB | Supported |
**2203 LTSR or newer CUs **1912 LTSR or newer *7.15 LTSR CU1 or newer |
* 7.15 LTSR is currently EOL. Refer to Citrix Product Lifecycle dates listed at https://www.citrix.com/support/product-lifecycle/product-matrix.html
** Standard product EOL and other timelines apply for the respective versions of Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops https://www.citrix.com/support/product-lifecycle/product-matrix.html
Known Issues Articles
- CTC464127 Windows 11 22H2 Update – Citrix Known Issues
- CTX255870 Windows 10 v2004, 20H2, 21H1 & 21H2 – Citrix Known Issues
- CTX238758 Windows 10 May 2019 Update (v1903) – Citrix Known Issues
- CTX234973 Windows 10 October 2018 Update (v1809) – Citrix Known Issues
- CTX231942 Windows 10 April 2018 Update (v1803) – Citrix Known Issues
- CTX229052 Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (v1709) – Citrix Known Issues
- CTX223074 Windows 10 Creators Update (v1703) – Citrix Known Issues
- CTX216312 Windows 10 Anniversary Update (v1607) – Citrix Known Issues