Microsoft reminds about Windows Update certificate expiration: who will be affected

⚡ The gist in 5 seconds - Microsoft has reminded users that security certificates for Windows Update will expire next year. - Users of newer OS versions don't need to take any action. - Older PCs need to upgrade to a current version of Windows to keep access to updates. ### 🔍 What was found Microsoft has officially warned that the security certificates required to connect to Windows Update services will expire in 2025. The announcement was published on the company's blog and is aimed primarily at owners of older OS versions — they are advised to upgrade their systems to continue receiving updates. The certificates are used for secure connections to the Windows Update infrastructure: they verify the authenticity of the services and encrypt traffic. Once they expire, devices without a current OS version may lose the ability to download security updates. Newer versions of Windows already include the necessary mechanisms, so their users don't need to do anything. ### 💡 Why it matters This reminder is effectively a deadline for anyone still running outdated editions of Windows. The certificate expiration, combined with Microsoft's broader push to phase out support for legacy operating systems, turns upgrading from a mere recommendation into a requirement for access to Windows Update security. The exact list of affected versions isn't specified in the source, but the logic is simple: the older the system, the higher the risk of being left without updates.