As a developer, you’ve likely worked with Microsoft Visual Studio at some point. But do you know the exact end-of-support dates for each version? Missing the point when security updates and technical support end can expose you to unexpected risks. This comprehensive guide covers the end-of-support schedules for all Visual Studio versions.
1. Understanding Visual Studio Support Policy Fundamentals
Microsoft applies the Fixed Lifecycle Policy to Visual Studio, providing 10 years of total support divided into two phases: 5 years of Mainstream Support followed by 5 years of Extended Support.
During Mainstream Support, you receive comprehensive support including new features, platform updates, security updates, and functionality fixes. During Extended Support, only security updates are provided.
2. Current Supported Visual Studio Versions and End Dates
Visual Studio 2022 – The Safe, Latest Version
| Edition | Release Date | Mainstream Support End | Extended Support End | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 (All Editions) | November 8, 2021 | November 8, 2026 | January 13, 2032 | ✅ Active Support |
Visual Studio 2022 follows Microsoft’s Fixed Lifecycle Policy with 10 years of support. The first 5 years provide mainstream support with new features and security updates, while the remaining 5 years offer extended support with security updates only.
Key Features:
- 64-bit IDE with enhanced large project handling capabilities
- Built-in Git version control support
- Rich GitHub integration
- AI-powered IntelliCode code completion
Visual Studio 2019 – Still Safe But Requires Attention
| Version | Release Date | Mainstream Support End | Extended Support End | Support Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16.11 (Recommended) | August 10, 2021 | April 10, 2024 (Ended) | April 10, 2029 | ✅ Extended Support |
| 16.10 | May 25, 2021 | – | August 10, 2021 | ❌ Support Ended |
| 16.9 | March 2, 2021 | – | October 11, 2022 | ❌ Support Ended |
| 16.8 | November 10, 2020 | – | March 9, 2021 | ❌ Support Ended |
| 16.7 | August 5, 2020 | – | April 12, 2022 | ❌ Support Ended |
| 16.6 | May 19, 2020 | – | August 5, 2020 | ❌ Support Ended |
| 16.5 | March 16, 2020 | – | May 19, 2020 | ❌ Support Ended |
| 16.4 | December 3, 2019 | – | October 12, 2021 | ❌ Support Ended |
| 16.3 | September 23, 2019 | – | December 3, 2019 | ❌ Support Ended |
| 16.2 | July 24, 2019 | – | September 23, 2019 | ❌ Support Ended |
| 16.1 | May 21, 2019 | – | July 24, 2019 | ❌ Support Ended |
| 16.0 | April 2, 2019 | – | January 12, 2021 | ❌ Support Ended |
Supported Editions: Community, Professional, Enterprise, Build Tools
Important: Only version 16.11 of Visual Studio 2019 is currently receiving extended support. All other versions have ended support, so you must upgrade to 16.11. Bold versions were once designated as Servicing Baselines.
Visual Studio 2017 – Extended Support Phase
| Version | Release Date | Mainstream Support End | Extended Support End | Support Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15.9 (Recommended) | November 13, 2018 | April 12, 2022 (Ended) | April 13, 2027 | ✅ Extended Support |
| 15.8 | August 14, 2018 | – | November 13, 2018 | ❌ Support Ended |
| 15.7 | May 7, 2018 | – | August 14, 2018 | ❌ Support Ended |
| 15.6 | March 5, 2018 | – | May 7, 2018 | ❌ Support Ended |
| 15.5 | December 4, 2017 | – | March 5, 2018 | ❌ Support Ended |
| 15.4 | October 9, 2017 | – | December 4, 2017 | ❌ Support Ended |
| 15.3 | August 14, 2017 | – | October 9, 2017 | ❌ Support Ended |
| 15.2 | May 10, 2017 | – | August 14, 2017 | ❌ Support Ended |
| 15.1 | April 5, 2017 | – | May 10, 2017 | ❌ Support Ended |
| 15.0 | March 7, 2017 | – | January 14, 2020 | ❌ Support Ended |
Supported Editions: Community, Professional, Enterprise, Build Tools, Test Professional
Visual Studio 2017’s mainstream support ended in April 2022, and it’s currently in the extended support phase with security updates only. You must use version 15.9 to receive support.
3. End-of-Support and Soon-to-End Versions
Critical Alert! Visual Studio 2015
| Edition | Release Date | Mainstream Support End | Extended Support End | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Update 3 + KB3165756 | July 20, 2015 | October 13, 2020 | October 14, 2025 | 🚨 Support Ends in 2 Months! |
| 2015 Update 2 | March 30, 2016 | – | October 14, 2025 | 🚨 Unsupported Version |
| 2015 Update 1 | November 30, 2015 | – | October 14, 2025 | 🚨 Unsupported Version |
| 2015 RTM | July 20, 2015 | – | October 14, 2025 | 🚨 Unsupported Version |
Supported Editions: Community, Enterprise, Express for Web, Express for Windows 10, Express for Windows Desktop, Professional, Release Management, Test Professional
Critical Notice: Microsoft recently officially announced that Visual Studio 2015 extended support will completely end on October 14, 2025. To receive support, you must use Update 3 + KB3165756; all other versions are unsupported.
All Already End-of-Support Versions
| Version | Release Date | Mainstream Support End | Extended Support End | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visual Studio 2013 Update 5 | October 17, 2013 | April 9, 2018 | April 9, 2024 | ❌ Support Completely Ended |
| Visual Studio 2013 Update 4 | November 12, 2014 | – | April 9, 2024 | ❌ Unsupported Version |
| Visual Studio 2013 RTM~Update 3 | October 17, 2013 | – | Not Supported | ❌ Unsupported Versions |
| Visual Studio 2012 Update 5 | October 31, 2012 | January 9, 2018 | January 10, 2023 | ❌ Support Completely Ended |
| Visual Studio 2012 Update 4 | November 13, 2013 | – | January 10, 2023 | ❌ Unsupported Version |
| Visual Studio 2012 RTM~Update 3 | September 12, 2012 | – | Not Supported | ❌ Unsupported Versions |
| Visual Studio 2010 SP1 | April 29, 2010 | July 14, 2015 | July 14, 2020 | ❌ Support Completely Ended |
| Visual Studio 2010 RTM | April 29, 2010 | – | Not Supported | ❌ Unsupported Version |
| Visual Studio 2008 SP1 | November 19, 2007 | April 10, 2013 | April 10, 2018 | ❌ Support Completely Ended |
| Visual Studio 2008 RTM | November 19, 2007 | – | Not Supported | ❌ Unsupported Version |
| Visual Studio 2005 SP1 | November 7, 2005 | April 12, 2011 | April 12, 2016 | ❌ Support Completely Ended |
| Visual Studio 2005 RTM | November 7, 2005 | – | Not Supported | ❌ Unsupported Version |
| Visual Studio 2003 | April 24, 2003 | October 8, 2008 | October 8, 2013 | ❌ Support Completely Ended |
| Visual Studio 6.0 | June 1998 | September 30, 2003 | September 30, 2008 | ❌ Support Completely Ended |
Key Information:
- Visual Studio 2012 support for the IDE and its associated products, runtimes, and components completely ended on January 10, 2023.
- Visual Studio 2008 support completely ended on April 10, 2018.
- Bold versions represent the final supported versions for each release.
4. Visual Studio 2022 Complete Version-by-Version Support Schedule
Visual Studio 2022 is available through two channels: Current Channel and LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel).
Current Channel – Latest Features Priority
| Version | Release Date | Support End Date | Status | Latest Release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17.14 | May 13, 2025 | January 13, 2032 | ✅ Long-term Support | 17.14.7 |
| 17.13 | February 11, 2025 | May 13, 2025 | ❌ Support Ended | 17.13.7 |
| 17.11 | August 13, 2024 | November 12, 2024 | ❌ Support Ended | 17.11.6 |
| 17.9 | February 13, 2024 | May 21, 2024 | ❌ Support Ended | 17.9.7 |
| 17.7 | August 8, 2023 | November 14, 2023 | ❌ Support Ended | 17.7.7 |
| 17.5 | February 21, 2023 | May 16, 2023 | ❌ Support Ended | 17.5.5 |
| 17.3 | August 9, 2022 | November 8, 2022 | ❌ Support Ended | 17.3.7 |
| 17.1 | February 15, 2022 | May 10, 2022 | ❌ Support Ended | 17.1.7 |
LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) – Stability Priority
| LTSC Version | Release Date | Support End Date | Support Period | Status | Latest Release |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17.14 (Current) | May 13, 2025 | January 13, 2032 | 6 years 8 months | ✅ Long-term Support | 17.14.7 |
| 17.12 | November 12, 2024 | July 14, 2026 | 18 months | ✅ Active Support | 17.12.9 |
| 17.10 | May 21, 2024 | January 13, 2026 | 18 months | ✅ Active Support | 17.10.16 |
| 17.8 | November 14, 2023 | July 8, 2025 | 18 months | ⚠️ Ending Soon | 17.8.22 |
| 17.6 | May 16, 2023 | January 14, 2025 | 18 months | ❌ Support Ended | 17.6.22 |
| 17.4 | November 8, 2022 | July 9, 2024 | 18 months | ❌ Support Ended | 17.4.21 |
| 17.2 | May 10, 2022 | January 9, 2024 | 18 months | ❌ Support Ended | 17.2.23 |
| 17.0 | November 8, 2021 | July 11, 2023 | 18 months | ❌ Support Ended | 17.0.23 |
LTSC Channel Features:
- Even-numbered minor versions are designated as LTSC.
- Each LTSC version is typically supported for 18 months.
- Version 17.14 is specially supported for the entire Visual Studio 2022 lifecycle.
- Available only for Enterprise, Professional, and Build Tools editions.
Note: Starting from 17.14, there is no separate LTSC channel; Current Channel 17.14 provides long-term support.
5. Detailed Edition Information and Special Versions
Visual Studio Edition Breakdown
| Edition | Visual Studio 2022 | Visual Studio 2019 | Visual Studio 2017 | Visual Studio 2015 | Visual Studio 2013 | Visual Studio 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community | ✅ Supported | ✅ Supported | ✅ Supported | ✅ Supported | ❌ | ❌ |
| Professional | ✅ Supported | ✅ Supported | ✅ Supported | ✅ Supported | ✅ Supported | ✅ Supported |
| Enterprise | ✅ Supported | ✅ Supported | ✅ Supported | ✅ Supported | ✅ Ultimate | ✅ Ultimate |
| Build Tools | ✅ Supported | ✅ Supported | ✅ Supported | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Test Professional | ❌ | ✅ Supported | ✅ Supported | ✅ Supported | ✅ Supported | ✅ Supported |
Express Editions (Free Versions)
| Express Edition | Supported Version | End of Support Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visual Studio 2015 Express | ||
| – Express for Web | 2015 Update 3 | Ending October 14, 2025 |
| – Express for Windows 10 | 2015 Update 3 | Ending October 14, 2025 |
| – Express for Windows Desktop | 2015 Update 3 | Ending October 14, 2025 |
| Visual Studio 2013 Express | ||
| – Express for Web | 2013 Update 5 | ❌ Ended April 9, 2024 |
| – Express for Windows | 2013 Update 5 | ❌ Ended April 9, 2024 |
| – Express for Windows Desktop | 2013 Update 5 | ❌ Ended April 9, 2024 |
| Visual Studio 2012 Express | ||
| – Express for Web | 2012 Update 5 | ❌ Ended January 10, 2023 |
| – Express for Windows 8 | 2012 Update 5 | ❌ Ended January 10, 2023 |
| – Express for Windows Desktop | 2012 Update 5 | ❌ Ended January 10, 2023 |
| Visual Studio 2010 Express | ||
| – Visual C# 2010 Express | SP1 | ❌ Ended July 14, 2020 |
| – Visual Basic 2010 Express | SP1 | ❌ Ended July 14, 2020 |
| – Visual C++ 2010 Express | SP1 | ❌ Ended July 14, 2020 |
| – Visual Web Developer 2010 Express | SP1 | ❌ Ended July 14, 2020 |
Team Foundation Server Related
| Product | Supported Version | End of Support | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Team Foundation Server 2018 | Update 3 | TBD | ✅ Supported |
| Team Foundation Server 2017 | Update 3 | April 13, 2027 | ✅ Extended Support |
| Team Foundation Server 2015 | Update 4 | October 14, 2025 | ⚠️ Ending Soon |
| Team Foundation Server 2013 | Update 5 | April 9, 2024 | ❌ Support Ended |
| Team Foundation Server 2012 | Update 4 | January 10, 2023 | ❌ Support Ended |
Visual Studio for Mac (Special Product)
| Version | End of Support | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visual Studio 2022 for Mac | August 31, 2024 | ❌ Product Discontinued |
| Visual Studio 2019 for Mac | August 31, 2024 | ❌ Product Discontinued |
| Visual Studio 2017 for Mac | August 31, 2024 | ❌ Product Discontinued |
Important: Visual Studio for Mac was completely discontinued on August 31, 2024.
Other Related Products
| Product | Support Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visual Studio Code | ✅ Continued Support | Separate product with ongoing development |
| Visual Studio LightSwitch | ❌ Discontinued | Visual Studio 2015 was the last supported version |
| Visual Studio Tools for AI | ❌ Discontinued | Replaced by Visual Studio 2019 extensions |
| Visual Studio Lab Management | ❌ Discontinued | Replaced by Azure DevOps |
6. Community Edition Special Support Policy
Visual Studio Community Edition, unlike other editions, is supported only on the latest minor version of the Current Channel. When a new version is released, support for the previous Community Edition ends immediately.
Community Edition Support Status
| Visual Studio Version | Community Edition Support Status |
|---|---|
| Visual Studio 2022 | ✅ Latest version only (currently 17.14) |
| Visual Studio 2019 | ❌ Support ended (April 2022) |
| Visual Studio 2017 | ❌ Support ended (April 2022) |
| Visual Studio 2015 | ❌ Support ending (October 14, 2025) |
Important: Community Edition users must always maintain the latest version, making an upgrade to the latest Visual Studio 2022 Community essential.
7. Related Component Support Schedules
Visual C++ Redistributable Packages
Visual C++ Redistributables follow the lifecycle of the Visual Studio version in which they first shipped.
| Redistributable Version | Based on Visual Studio | End of Support | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual C++ 2022 | Visual Studio 2022 | January 13, 2032 | ✅ Supported |
| Visual C++ 2019 | Visual Studio 2019 | April 10, 2029 | ✅ Supported |
| Visual C++ 2017 | Visual Studio 2017 | April 13, 2027 | ✅ Extended Support |
| Visual C++ 2015 | Visual Studio 2015 | October 14, 2025 | ⚠️ Ending Soon |
| Visual C++ 2013 | Visual Studio 2013 | April 9, 2024 | ❌ Support Ended |
| Visual C++ 2012 | Visual Studio 2012 | January 10, 2023 | ❌ Support Ended |
| Visual C++ 2010 | Visual Studio 2010 | July 14, 2020 | ❌ Support Ended |
| Visual C++ 2008 | Visual Studio 2008 | April 10, 2018 | ❌ Support Ended |
| Visual C++ 2005 | Visual Studio 2005 | April 12, 2016 | ❌ Support Ended |
MSVC Compiler Toolsets
Starting with Visual Studio 2017, MSVC toolsets follow the product lifecycle of the Visual Studio version in which they first shipped.
| Toolset | Based on Version | End of Support | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSVC v143 | Visual Studio 2022 | January 13, 2032 | ✅ Supported |
| MSVC v142 | Visual Studio 2019 | April 10, 2029 | ✅ Supported |
| MSVC v141 | Visual Studio 2017 | April 13, 2027 | ✅ Extended Support |
| MSVC v140 | Visual Studio 2015 | October 14, 2025 | ⚠️ Ending Soon |
Note: Visual C++ Redistributables included in other Microsoft products (SQL Server, Windows Server, etc.) may follow the lifecycle of those host products.
8. Upgrade Strategy and Recommendations
Immediate Upgrade Required
- Visual Studio 2015 users: Support ends October 14, 2025 (imminent)
- Visual Studio 2013 and below: Already end-of-support
- Visual Studio 2019 16.10 and below: End-of-support versions
Step-by-Step Upgrade Guide
Step 1: Check Current Version
- In Visual Studio, go to Help → About Microsoft Visual Studio to verify your exact version.
- Alternatively, check through the Visual Studio Installer.
Step 2: Backup Data
- Back up project files and settings.
- Commit all changes to source control (Git, etc.).
Step 3: Review Compatibility
- Refer to Microsoft Learn’s Compatibility Guide to check existing project compatibility.
Step 4: Install New Version
- Download the latest version from the Visual Studio official download page.
9. Security Updates and Administrator Updates
Visual C++ Redistributable Considerations
Visual C++ Redistributables follow the lifecycle of the Visual Studio version in which they first shipped. For example, MSVC v142 tools shipped with Visual Studio 2019 follow Visual Studio 2019’s support lifecycle.
Administrator Updates
IT administrators can automatically deploy Visual Studio security updates through Windows Update for Business (WUfB). This is crucial for maintaining organizational security.
Supported deployment methods:
- Azure Active Directory joined devices (WUfB)
- Domain-joined devices (SCCM)
- Manual deployment (Microsoft Catalog)
Understanding Visual Studio’s end-of-support schedules and upgrading at appropriate times is essential for maintaining development environment security and stability.
Immediate action required:
- Visual Studio 2015: Support ends in 2 months
- Visual Studio 2013 and below: Already end-of-support
- Visual Studio 2019 16.10 and below: Unsupported versions
Recommended action plan:
- Verify your current Visual Studio version
- Establish upgrade plans based on end-of-support schedules
- Upgrade to Visual Studio 2022 when possible (latest features and longest support period)
- Consider LTSC channels for enterprise environments
Development environment security is non-negotiable. Continuing to use end-of-support software is equivalent to exposing yourself to security vulnerabilities. Plan ahead and prepare to maintain a secure and efficient development environment.
Related Links:
- Microsoft Visual Studio Lifecycle Information
- Visual Studio 2022 Product Lifecycle
- Visual Studio 2019 Product Lifecycle
- Visual Studio Downloads
- Visual Studio End of Life Information
- Visual Studio Administrator Guide