Will Your Mac or Windows PC Receive Updates in 2026? A Complete Support Lifespan Guide

Apple and Microsoft have long been at the center of debates regarding device longevity, support lifespans, and the true meaning of “planned obsolescence.” As concerns about cybersecurity rise and budgets tighten for businesses and home users alike, knowing whether your Mac or Windows PC will continue receiving security updates into 2026 and beyond has never been more crucial. While headlines often seize on the latest dramatic shift—such as Microsoft’s stringent hardware requirements for Windows 11 or Apple’s yearly macOS release cycle—the reality for everyday users is nuanced, often confusing, and shaped by a tangle of policies that affect the devices we rely on most.

The Myth of Perpetual Updates: Why Hardware Age Matters More Than You Think​

Through both Apple and Microsoft, a hard truth is evident: support does not revolve around when you bought your device but is tied to the platform year—the release year of the key chips powering your machine. This critical distinction isn’t always obvious to the consumer, who may buy a MacBook or a Dell laptop “new” but find themselves cut off from essential updates sooner than expected.

Apple’s macOS Update Policy: Three Strikes and You’re Out​

Apple’s approach is deceptively simple—on the surface. Each year, a new version of macOS appears (for 2025, it’s “MacOS 26 Tahoe,” expected to launch in the fall). Apple provides free security updates for the current and two previous major macOS releases—a rolling window typically covering about three years.
But this clarity is blurred by hardware support: only certain models can upgrade to the newest OS. If your Mac is stuck on an older version—locked out of the upgrade path by hardware cutoffs—it will stop receiving security fixes once your OS drops out of that three-year window.

How to Determine if Your Mac Is at Risk​

• Macs supported for the Ventura release (MacOS 13, 2022) include models up to the 2017 MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac Mini, or 2018 iMacs and Mac Pros.
• When MacOS 26 Tahoe ships in fall 2025, Ventura and any Macs unable to move beyond it will lose security coverage.
• The core date to watch is the chip (CPU) release year, not the sales date. For example, a “brand new” 2018 Mac Mini bought in 2025 is perilously close to losing support, regardless of it being unopened.

The only official way to be sure of your model’s fate is to use the “About This Mac” menu on your device, noting the precise model and researching its compatibility with the latest OS. The Macworld compatibility list and entries on endoflife.date are indispensable for this.

Gaps in Transparency​

Apple does not operate a public-facing support lifecycle portal akin to Microsoft’s Support Lifecycle. Users must piece together clues: when an upgrade is no longer possible, support is quietly ending. This opacity means many may be running a Mac that looks and feels current but is no longer protected.

Windows Support: Opportunity, Confusion, and a Glimmer of Flexibility​

Windows PC users face another labyrinth. With a diverse landscape of system builders, custom rigs, and a sprawling array of Intel, AMD, and ARM chips, Microsoft’s compatibility and support story is both broader and more byzantine.

Deciphering Windows 10 and 11 Support Windows​

Windows 11’s release elicited outrage—Microsoft’s minimum requirements were surprisingly strict. Only PCs with CPUs introduced from 2017 (Intel 8th Gen Core, certain AMD Ryzen chips, and later models) are officially supported.

• PCs produced from 2019 onward are almost certain to qualify for Windows 11.
• Most 2017–2018 builds stand a fair chance, but some budget or low-end processors are excluded.
• The wild card is TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module). Any retail PC sold after mid-2016 was required to have TPM enabled, but it’s often deactivated in firmware and must be switched on manually.

Microsoft’s PC Health Check tool is the company’s official method for determining upgrade eligibility. Even still, hardware compatibility lists (Intel’s supported processors, for example) can be difficult for lay users to parse, meaning many discover their “modern” PC doesn’t qualify only at the moment of attempted upgrade.

Noteworthy Loopholes—For Now​

Unlike Apple, Microsoft provides a (somewhat unofficial) workaround: for technically savvy users, a registry hack exists to bypass CPU checks and install Windows 11 on unsupported systems. However, Microsoft offers no guarantee: these PCs may lose out on future updates or run into compatibility snags at any time.

Extended Security Updates: A Fee for Peace of Mind​

As Windows 10’s end-of-support date (October 2025) looms, Microsoft has confirmed that Extended Security Updates (ESU) will be available for up to three years, though for a fee. These paid updates will cover critical vulnerabilities but are aimed more at business and education customers than private users. Apple, on the other hand, offers no such option: when support ends, that’s it.

Comparing Device Lifespans: The Reality in 2026​

So, will your Mac or Windows PC receive updates in 2026? The answer revolves around the year your device’s core processor was introduced—and a heavy dash of “it depends.”

General Guidelines: Device Longevity​

• If your computer uses a CPU/platform introduced in 2019 or later, odds are extremely high that it will get updates through 2026, regardless of being Mac or Windows.
• If your platform year is 2017–2018, Windows users face “maybe.” Intel 8th Gen Core systems are mostly covered, but Pentium/Celeron or older AMD chips may not be. Apple users with these machines, particularly those unable to update past Ventura, are at imminent risk of losing support by fall 2025.
• Pre-2017 hardware is almost universally out of luck for both platforms—unless relying on unofficial hacks or delayed enterprise arrangements.

Charting Support: Understanding Platform Year​

Platform Year (CPU release)	Windows 10 Updates	Windows 11 Updates	macOS Updates (2026)
2020+	Yes (until late 2025)	Yes	Yes
2019	Yes	Yes	Yes
2017-2018	Yes (maybe for 11)	Maybe	Maybe
≤2016	No

[TD]No[/TD][TD]No[/TD]

Windows 10 ESU may be available for a fee through late 2028.

Critical Analysis: Who Gets the Longer Road?​

While both Apple and Microsoft market “long-term value,” their approaches reflect their company cultures and technical ecosystems. Apple benefits from vertical integration, controlling both its hardware and software stack, allowing them to enforce support cutoffs strictly—but leaving users fewer options when dropped. Microsoft, by managing a sprawling third-party ecosystem, provides users avenues to extend device life—sometimes officially, sometimes not—but this flexibility comes at a cost of confusion and uneven results.

Strengths​

• Apple:
• Predictable, roughly 7–8 years of updates for most Macs, plus regular feature improvements during support.
• Security updates for the latest three OS versions mean systems running a supported release are usually well-protected.
• Microsoft:
• Wide hardware support, meaning millions of older devices remain usable longer—especially with Windows 10’s ESU program.
• Registry hacks and workarounds provide a path for technically confident users to “bend the rules.”

Potential Risks​

• Apple:
• Users often lulled into a false sense of security. Macs still being sold refurbished (or even new in box from third parties) may face swift end-of-support dates.
• Lack of a transparent, centralized schedule means confusion is likely for less technical owners.
• Microsoft:
• Compatibility requirements are inconsistent—one 2018 laptop may qualify while another doesn’t, depending on arcane CPU support lists.
• The existence of unofficial upgrade paths may mislead users into thinking they have full support, when they may in fact lose access to some critical updates or features unexpectedly.
• ESU program for Windows 10 isn’t free—home users will need to factor in these costs if they wish to delay hardware upgrades.

The Larger Trend: Planned Obsolescence or Responsible Security?​

With both Apple and Microsoft, the push to phase out older hardware is often justified by a need to stay ahead in the security arms race. Newer processors and chips—whether Apple’s proprietary Silicon or Intel/AMD x86 units supporting upgraded instruction sets like TPM 2.0—are vital for sophisticated security features, including secure boot, hardware encryption, and biometric access.
From a cybersecurity standpoint, both companies are right to retire legacy devices that are vulnerable to modern attack vectors. But the environmental cost of forced obsolescence, as well as the financial burden on consumers and organizations, raises difficult questions. Should computers costing thousands of dollars only be secure for 6–8 years? What of lower-income users or schools that depend on older tech?

Recommendations for Device Owners Approaching 2026​

For Mac Users​

• Immediately verify your model and macOS compatibility using the “About This Mac” menu and external documentation.
• Avoid purchasing “new” but old-model Macs from third parties unless you’ve confirmed their support timeline.
• Consider upgrading to Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, or later) if security longevity is a priority.

For Windows Users​

• Run Microsoft’s PC Health Check tool to determine Windows 11 eligibility.
• If using Windows 10 on older hardware, investigate the cost and viability of the ESU program for your use case.
• Where performance and security allow, consider enabling TPM and Secure Boot in system firmware.
• If willing to accept risk and understand the limitations, registry workarounds offer temporary reprieve for unsupported systems—but are not permanent solutions.

For Both​

• Regularly back up data in preparation for security end-of-life, enabling quick migration if the worst happens.
• Be mindful of the software ecosystem: support for browsers, productivity tools, and antivirus may also end when your OS ages out, further compounding security risks.

SEO Insights: Device Support Lifespan, Security Updates in 2026​

Searchers increasingly want to know, “Will my computer get updates in 2026?”, “How long will my Mac be supported?”, and “Windows PC security updates end date.” Incorporating these phrases supports discoverability while serving readers’ urgent questions. If you’re asking when your PC or Mac will stop getting security updates, remember to check not just the model year, but the year of the chips inside—the platform year.

Final Word: Time for Transparency​

The responsibility ultimately sits with manufacturers to clearly communicate device lifespans—not merely in marketing fine print, but in proactive, user-friendly guides and reminders. Until then, communities and independent trackers will remain essential resources. For the savvy Windows or Mac owner in 2026 and beyond, vigilance is key—monitor official channels, challenge assumptions, and question the true age of your technology before trusting it with your data.
With the pace of both threat development and hardware innovation only accelerating, expect these debates to intensify rather than recede. Those who stay informed and proactive will fare best, securing both their systems and their peace of mind in a digital landscape where “the end” may come sooner than you think.

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Source: Technology For You Will your Mac or Windows PC still get security updates in 2026? Check this chart | Technology For You