What does "end-of-life" (EOL) refer to in the context of operating systems?

In the context of operating systems, "end-of-life" (EOL) refers to the point at which software is no longer supported by the vendor. This means that the company responsible for the operating system will no longer provide updates, bug fixes, security patches, or official customer support for that version. As a result, users are encouraged to upgrade to newer versions to ensure they receive necessary updates and maintain the security and functionality of their systems.

This is a crucial concept for IT professionals and users alike, as running software that has reached EOL can expose systems to vulnerabilities and stability issues. EOL does not directly pertain to when applications stop being developed, the expiration of software licenses, or restricted access to system settings.