critical security updates

Winsage
July 27, 2025
Beginning October 14, 2025, Microsoft will cease support for most versions of Windows 10, prompting the Ohio University Office of Information Technology (OIT) to restrict access for OHIO-managed systems running unsupported versions. This affects all versions of Windows 10 prior to version 22H2, which is eligible for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. The ESU program provides paid access to critical security updates for older operating systems after official support ends. OIT plans to restrict access for all Windows 10 systems, including those with ESU, by October 2026 and no later than October 2028, when the ESU program concludes.
Winsage
July 18, 2025
Microsoft has extended support for Windows 10 applications and services until August 2026, allowing users an additional year to transition to Windows 11. Support was originally set to end in October 2025. During this extension, Microsoft will stop new feature updates for MS Office applications on Windows 10, but critical security updates will continue until October 2028. Windows 10 will cease receiving software updates, including security patches, on October 14, 2025. Microsoft is offering free extended security updates for users who activate Windows Backup or choose a paid service. Windows 11 features a new interface, improved window organization tools, enhanced multi-monitor support, and integrates Microsoft’s AI assistant, Copilot. It also includes gaming enhancements like DirectStorage and Auto HDR, and supports Android apps through the Microsoft Store.
Winsage
July 7, 2025
Popular Science readers can acquire Windows 11 Pro keys for .97 until July 20 or while supplies last, a significant discount from the typical retail price of 9. Microsoft will discontinue support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Windows 11 Pro includes features such as BitLocker encryption, Windows Sandbox, Azure AD, Hyper-V, a revamped user interface, Windows Copilot AI assistance, Smart App Control, TPM 2.0, and DirectX 12 Ultimate. The offer provides a lifetime license with no future fees.
Winsage
June 26, 2025
Resilience is now a strategic necessity for organizations, prompting Microsoft to launch the Windows Resiliency Initiative (WRI) to integrate resilience and security into the Windows platform. In September 2024, Microsoft held the Windows Endpoint Security Ecosystem Summit (WESES) with endpoint security vendors and government representatives to discuss enhancing resilience. Following the summit, collaboration with Microsoft Virus Initiative (MVI) partners has increased, focusing on improving Windows security and reliability through rigorous testing and safe deployment practices. Next month, Microsoft will begin a private preview of a new Windows endpoint security platform for select MVI partners, allowing security solutions to operate outside the Windows kernel for better reliability. Microsoft has released the Windows Resiliency Initiative e-book to guide organizations in building resilience. Innovative products introduced under the WRI include: - Quick machine recovery (QMR) for faster recovery from unexpected restarts, reducing downtime to approximately two seconds. - Microsoft Connected Cache to enhance bandwidth efficiency during updates by caching content locally. - Universal Print anywhere for secure printing from any location. - Hotpatch updates for critical security updates without requiring a restart. - Windows 365 Reserve for secure access to a temporary Cloud PC during device disruptions.
Winsage
June 24, 2025
Windows has been the most widely used operating system globally since its launch in 1985, currently powering over a billion active devices each month. Support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025, meaning Microsoft will stop providing security and feature updates, as well as technical support for Windows 10 PCs. Users can check their eligibility for upgrading to Windows 11 through the Settings menu or the PC Health Check app. Windows 11 features enhanced security, improved performance, and a modern user interface, with built-in accessibility tools and AI capabilities. The Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) program will provide critical security updates for personal devices from October 15, 2025, to October 13, 2026. Organizations can subscribe to ESU for continued security updates for a year, with the option to renew annually. Windows 365 offers a cloud-based solution for transitioning to Windows 11 without needing to replace all devices immediately. Various Windows 11 and Copilot+ PCs are available from partners like Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Samsung, and Surface.
Winsage
June 16, 2025
The tech community is dissatisfied with Microsoft's compatibility requirements for Windows 11, which have made some PCs from six or seven years ago obsolete and ineligible for security updates. Apple's update policy for MacOS is similarly restrictive, with free security updates provided only for the three most recent versions. The upcoming MacOS 26 Tahoe will lead to MacOS 13 Ventura no longer receiving updates, leaving older Macs unsupported due to hardware compatibility issues. Macs from 2017 or earlier will not upgrade to MacOS 14 Sonoma. Users can check compatibility through the "About This Mac" option. For Windows PCs, compatibility with Windows 11 generally requires a CPU from 2019 or later, with Microsoft's PC Health Check app available to identify issues. Windows 10 users can purchase security updates for up to three years after the end of support in October 2025, unlike Mac users. Both platforms typically provide security updates for eight to ten years after release.
Winsage
June 11, 2025
Apple announced that macOS 26, also known as macOS Tahoe 26, will be the last version to support Intel-based Macs. The final Mac with an Intel processor was the previous-generation Mac Pro, succeeded by the M2 Ultra-powered Mac Pro in 2023. The transition to Apple Silicon began with the M1 series in 2020 and continued with the M2, M3, and M4 series. Critical security updates for Intel-based Macs will continue for a limited time but will eventually cease. macOS 27 will only support Apple Silicon Macs with M1 and later processors. Not all Macs running the current version, Sequoia, will be eligible for the Tahoe update; only those with Intel's ninth-generation Coffee Lake and Cascade Lake-based Xeon-W processors can run Tahoe. This includes specific models like the Mac Pro (2019) and MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019). Many Intel Macs, including various 2018 and older models, will not be able to upgrade to Tahoe. Apple's transition from Intel began in 2005, moving from PowerPC processors.
Winsage
June 2, 2025
A recent advisory warns Windows users about vulnerabilities, emphasizing the need to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 due to the impending cessation of support for Windows 10 in October. Asus has highlighted that users of Windows 10 or older systems will soon lose regular updates and support. Currently, around 750 million users are on Windows 10, with 500 million potentially eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 11. Recent market data shows Windows 10's user share has increased from 41% in April to over 43% in May, while Windows 11 has declined by 3.5%. The urgency for upgrades is heightened as the deadline for Windows 10 support approaches, raising concerns about a potential cybersecurity crisis.
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