The environmental effect on the aging behavior of NaCl and KCl windows was studied. Laser windows were aged at different relative humidities in a controlled climate-chamber. Degradation is monitored with a microscope inspection system equipped with a computer controlled image processing board. The temporal development of surface defect density under different atmospheric conditions was investigated with respect to optical absorption and damage thresholds of the windows at 10.6 micrometers . Laser windows coated with single layers of NaF deposited by an adapted IAD-technique were analyzed. The performance of the coated and uncoated laser windows is discussed under consideration of typical applications. In comparison to the bare samples, the coated windows show an improved resistivity against environmental influences. Accelerated testing theory is employed to model the aging behavior of the samples. An approach to deduce a qualified acceleration factor is made in order to extrapolate the lifetime of alkali halide laser window under normal conditions.