End of an Era: Visual Studio 2015 Support Ending Soon
On October 14, 2025, a significant transition will occur for numerous Microsoft products, marking the end of support for Windows 10, along with its various editions including the 2015 Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC).This date also signifies the retirement of Visual Studio 2015, as announced by Microsoft.
Visual Studio 2015: A Key Development Tool
While many developers are acquainted with Visual Studio Code, a versatile code editor, it is Visual Studio that serves as Microsoft’s premier integrated development environment (IDE).The latest version, Visual Studio 2022, continues to receive updates and support, whereas earlier iterations such as Visual Studio 2015, 2017, and 2019 are being phased out. The impending cessation of support for Visual Studio 2015 is particularly noteworthy.
Support Timeline for Visual Studio 2015
Originally launched on July 20, 2015, Visual Studio 2015 enjoyed mainstream support until October 13, 2020, transitioning to extended support thereafter. Microsoft has clearly stated that this ongoing support will conclude on October 14, 2025, meaning developers relying on this version will no longer receive essential security updates.
Implications of End of Support
The termination of support means that not only Visual Studio 2015 itself, but also its related components—including Community, Enterprise, Professional editions, SDKs, and MSVC Tools v140—will no longer be updated. This poses potential security risks for those who continue to use outdated software.
Recommended Upgrades
Microsoft strongly advises users to upgrade to a newer supported version of Visual Studio promptly. Visual Studio 2017 (version 15.9) will continue receiving security updates until April 13, 2027; Visual Studio 2019 (version 16.11) will enjoy extended security updates until April 10, 2029. Furthermore, Visual Studio 2022 (version 17.4) is currently under mainstream support but will transition to extended support from January 12, 2027, to January 13, 2032.
Why Upgrade to Visual Studio 2022?
Transitioning to Visual Studio 2022 is highly recommended, as it brings numerous enhancements including integrated support for Git, improved. NET functionalities, and the innovative Copilot feature, which promotes efficiency in coding.
For detailed guidance on transitioning from Visual Studio 2015 to later versions, visit the official Microsoft advisory here.
Stay aware of the changes in support timelines to ensure your development environment remains secure and efficient.
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