OneDrive support for Windows 10 is ending on 15 August 2026 for every build older than version 22H2 — so if you are still running Windows 10 21H2, 21H1, 20H2, or anything earlier, Microsoft will stop delivering OneDrive sync app updates, security patches, and bug fixes to your machine from that date. Your files will not vanish overnight, but the risk of unpatched vulnerabilities and broken sync behaviour rises sharply the longer you stay put. Here is exactly what the end of OneDrive support for Windows 10 means, which versions are affected, and what to do before the deadline.
What Microsoft Has Actually Announced
Microsoft has confirmed that OneDrive support for Windows 10 will end for version 22H1 and all earlier builds on 15 August 2026. Microsoft’s own advisory (Message Center reference MC1426708) uses the “version 22H1 and earlier” label — in practice that means any Windows 10 build below 22H2. The one release that escapes the cut is Windows 10 22H2, the final feature update Microsoft ever shipped for Windows 10, which keeps OneDrive sync until 10 October 2028, aligned with the Extended Security Update window for that build.
This distinction matters. Running 22H2 still buys you time, but running anything older leaves you only weeks away from losing OneDrive support for Windows 10 entirely. The change surfaced in Microsoft’s Message Center and was reported by outlets including The Register.
Which Windows 10 Builds Lose OneDrive Sync Support?
The following builds will no longer receive OneDrive sync app updates after 15 August 2026:
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Windows 10 21H2 (build 19044) — released November 2021
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Windows 10 21H1 (build 19043) — released May 2021
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Windows 10 20H2 (build 19042) — released October 2020
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Windows 10 2004 (build 19041) — released May 2020
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All earlier Windows 10 feature update builds
Not affected (for now): Windows 10 22H2 (build 19045), which retains OneDrive sync support until 10 October 2028. Microsoft’s advisory labels the affected group “22H1 and earlier”; because there was no separate consumer 22H1 build, the practical rule is simple — if you are not on 22H2, you are affected.
To check your build, press Win + R, type winver, and press Enter. The version number appears on the second line of the dialog.
OneDrive End of Support: What Exactly Stops Working After 15 August?
The end of OneDrive support for Windows 10 affects the sync app itself — not your cloud data. Here is the breakdown that matters:
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No more sync app updates: Microsoft will not push new features, bug fixes, or security patches to OneDrive on affected builds.
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Sync may break over time: as Microsoft updates the OneDrive backend and changes protocols, an outdated client on an unsupported OS can lose the ability to sync entirely — potentially weeks or months after the deadline.
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Your cloud files stay safe: data already uploaded to OneDrive remains intact. You can still reach it through OneDrive.com in any browser, whatever your local build.
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No immediate data loss on the cut date: the sync app does not self-destruct on 15 August — it simply stops receiving updates. Sync degradation happens progressively.
Even so, running a cloud sync client without security patches is a real risk. Once OneDrive support for Windows 10 ends, any vulnerability Microsoft discovers in that client stays unpatched on your machine — a potential route for credential theft or ransomware.
Why OneDrive Support for Windows 10 Is Ending Now
This move fits Microsoft’s broader lifecycle strategy. Windows 10 as a whole reached end of support on 14 October 2025 for mainstream consumers. With security updates for the operating system already withdrawn, Microsoft is now tightening first-party app support for the older builds within Windows 10 — and OneDrive is the latest to get a hard date.
The fact that Windows 10 22H2 keeps OneDrive support until 2028 is deliberate: it gives users who could not or did not move to Windows 11 a managed off-ramp, while increasing the pressure on anyone clinging to much older builds. Microsoft has run the same play with Office, Edge, and Teams — end broad Windows 10 support, then retire app support on the older sub-versions one by one.
OneDrive Sync Ending: How to Check Your Version and Update
If you are on an affected build, the first question is whether you can move to Windows 10 22H2 — the simplest fix, and the one that extends your OneDrive support for Windows 10 by roughly two more years.
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Open Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update.
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Click Check for updates. If 22H2 is offered, install it.
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If Windows Update does not offer 22H2, use the Windows 10 Update Assistant from Microsoft’s website to force the upgrade.
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After installing 22H2, reopen OneDrive and confirm sync resumes normally.
This clears the immediate 15 August deadline, but it is not permanent — Windows 10 22H2 itself loses all Microsoft support, including consumer Extended Security Updates, by 10 October 2028.
The Better Long-Term Fix: Upgrade to Windows 11
If your hardware supports it, upgrading to Windows 11 is the cleanest answer to the end of OneDrive support for Windows 10. Windows 11 ships with a fully supported, regularly updated OneDrive client, and Microsoft has committed to its support lifecycle well beyond the Windows 10 deadlines.
Before you worry about hardware compatibility, a Windows 11 upgrade is more affordable than most people realise — Shop Key Online offers a Windows 11 Pro licence from just €15.95, making a full, genuine upgrade very accessible. If your machine passes the Windows 11 hardware check (TPM 2.0, 64-bit processor, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage), there is little reason to stay on an unsupported Windows 10 build.
Not sure whether your PC is compatible? Our guide on how to upgrade an incompatible Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 walks through every option, including workarounds for machines that fail the official compatibility check.
What to Do if Your PC Cannot Run Windows 11
If your hardware genuinely cannot support Windows 11 and moving to Windows 10 22H2 is not possible either, you have two practical choices:
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Use OneDrive in the browser only: manage every file through onedrive.live.com. This bypasses the sync client entirely and keeps your data accessible whatever your Windows build.
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Move to another cloud or a local backup: if sync is central to your workflow, shift that workload to a service that still supports older Windows builds, or consolidate your files onto an external drive while you plan a hardware refresh.
How to Back Up Your OneDrive Files Before the Deadline
Before OneDrive support for Windows 10 ends, backing up your data is non-negotiable — whatever migration path you choose. Follow these steps:
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Open OneDrive on your PC and make sure every file is synced locally (right-click the OneDrive tray icon → View online to cross-check).
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Copy your local OneDrive folder (typically
C:\Users\YourName\OneDrive) to an external drive or a second backup location. -
Sign in to OneDrive.com in a browser, select all files, and download a full ZIP archive as a secondary backup.
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Check shared folders and business data separately — “Shared with me” files do not always sync locally by default.
Even on Windows 10 22H2, where you are not immediately affected, a full backup before any transition is simply good practice.
OneDrive Support for Windows 10 Timeline at a Glance
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14 October 2025: Windows 10 mainstream support ended for all editions.
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15 August 2026: OneDrive sync app updates end for Windows 10 version 22H1 and all older builds.
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10 October 2028: OneDrive sync app updates end for Windows 10 22H2, the final supported build.
Together these dates tell a clear story: Microsoft is steadily winding down Windows 10, and the end of OneDrive support for Windows 10 is simply the latest piece of that plan to get a firm deadline.
FAQ
Will my Windows 10 OneDrive files be deleted when support ends?
No. Files stored in the OneDrive cloud are not affected by the sync app support cut. They stay fully accessible through the OneDrive website and any other supported device you sign in to. Only the local sync client on your older Windows 10 build stops receiving updates — your cloud data stays intact.
Does the end of OneDrive support for Windows 10 affect 22H2?
No — Windows 10 22H2 is explicitly excluded from the 15 August 2026 deadline. Microsoft has confirmed that OneDrive sync support continues on 22H2 until 10 October 2028. If you are running 22H2, you have roughly two more years before you need to act on OneDrive specifically.
How do I check which version of Windows 10 I am running?
Press Win + R, type winver, and press Enter. A small dialog shows your Windows version (for example, Version 22H2) and build number. If it shows anything earlier than 22H2 — such as 21H2, 21H1, or 20H2 — you are affected by the August 2026 end of support.
Can I keep using the old OneDrive client after 15 August 2026?
The client will not uninstall itself on that date, but it will no longer receive updates, security patches, or bug fixes. Over time, as Microsoft changes the OneDrive service backend, the old client may fail to sync correctly. More importantly, any vulnerability found after the cut-off stays unpatched, creating a real risk to your credentials and synced data.
Is upgrading to Windows 11 the only solution?
It is the best long-term solution for most users, but not the only one. Moving to Windows 10 22H2 buys you until October 2028 with a supported OneDrive client. If neither is possible, you can use OneDrive entirely through a browser without the sync app. That said, upgrading to Windows 11 is strongly recommended — licences start from as little as €9.80 at Shop Key Online, making it a very low-cost fix.
What about OneDrive for Business or Microsoft 365 subscribers on older Windows 10 builds?
The same rule applies. OneDrive for Business and the Microsoft 365 personal and family sync clients all use the same underlying OneDrive sync app. If you are on Windows 10 version 22H1 or older, that client stops receiving updates on 15 August 2026 regardless of your Microsoft 365 subscription. Microsoft recommends moving to a supported OS to keep a fully functional, secure sync experience.
