discontinuation

Winsage
August 10, 2025
Lawrence Klein, a San Diego resident, has filed a lawsuit against Microsoft challenging the company's decision to discontinue support for Windows 10 in October. Klein argues that Microsoft should maintain free support for Windows 10 until its user base falls below 10% of all Windows users, claiming the discontinuation pressures users to purchase new devices and helps Microsoft establish a monopoly in the generative AI market. As of April 2025, Windows 10 users make up approximately 52.94% of all Windows users, while Windows 11 adoption has been slow. Klein estimates that over 240 million devices may become obsolete due to Windows 11's hardware requirements, leading to increased e-waste. He criticizes Microsoft's strategy as atypical, noting that the transition to Windows 11 is being mandated only four years after its release, and he describes Windows 11 as "wildly unpopular." Klein seeks judicial intervention to stop misleading advertising, ensure clear communication about support discontinuation, and mandate continued updates for Windows 10 at no extra cost until its user base declines significantly. Klein is only requesting reimbursement for attorney's fees.
Winsage
August 3, 2025
Microsoft has discontinued Windows 11 SE, creating a gap in its educational technology offerings. Windows 11 Education, while robust, poses challenges for budget-conscious institutions due to its higher costs, lack of artificial restrictions, and lack of optimization for lower-spec devices. Consequently, Microsoft lacks a dedicated operating system for low-cost educational devices, allowing alternatives like Chrome OS and iPadOS to thrive in this market niche.
Winsage
August 2, 2025
Microsoft has announced the discontinuation of Windows 11 SE, its operating system for low-end computers, which will cease support, including software updates and technical assistance, by October 2026. Windows 11 SE will not receive the upcoming version 25H2 and will not have any feature updates after version 24H2. Users will no longer receive new features, fixes, or security patches, leaving their devices vulnerable. Windows 11 SE was designed for educational institutions and budget-conscious consumers, but it has not gained significant traction. The Surface Laptop SE, which primarily ran Windows 11 SE, has a support lifecycle ending in January 2028.
Winsage
August 2, 2025
Microsoft will discontinue support for Windows 11 SE by October 2026, ceasing all software updates, technical assistance, and security fixes. Devices running Windows 11 SE will continue to function, but users are advised to transition to another edition of Windows 11 for ongoing support. The upcoming 25H2 update will not be released for Windows 11 SE, leaving devices on the 24H2 version until support ends. Various manufacturers have produced laptops with Windows 11 SE, and Microsoft launched the budget-friendly Surface Laptop SE in 2021. Microsoft's previous attempts to compete with Chrome OS included the introduction of S Mode for Windows 10, which faced challenges due to limited app availability. A Gartner report indicates that Chromebook market share is declining, with a shift in focus towards Windows 11 upgrades rather than migration to Chrome OS.
Winsage
August 1, 2025
Microsoft will discontinue support for Windows 11 SE in October 2026, ending all software updates, technical assistance, and security fixes. Launched in 2021 as a lightweight operating system for educational settings, Windows 11 SE struggled to gain traction against established competitors like ChromeOS. Microsoft recommends users transition to devices that support other editions of Windows 11 to maintain access to ongoing support and security updates.
Winsage
August 1, 2025
Microsoft will discontinue support for Windows 11 SE by October 2026, meaning users will no longer receive software updates, technical support, or security patches. Windows 11 SE will not receive the upcoming 25H2 update, with version 24H2 being its last significant feature release. Launched in 2021 for K-8 classrooms, Windows 11 SE is designed for budget-friendly student laptops and includes preloaded educational applications. It is only available on select laptops from OEMs for educational institutions and cannot be installed on personal devices. The lack of security updates will require schools to invest in new devices that support Windows 11.
Winsage
August 1, 2025
Microsoft has decided to discontinue Windows 11 SE, a lightweight operating system introduced in 2021, aimed at low-cost laptops for educational environments. The company will cease all software updates for Windows 11 SE, with support officially ending in October 2026. The final update, version 24H2, will be the last released for this platform. Microsoft stated that it will not release a feature update after version 24H2 and recommends transitioning to a device that supports another edition of Windows 11 for continued support and security.
Winsage
August 1, 2025
Microsoft launched Windows 11 SE in late 2021 to compete with Google’s Chrome OS in the education technology sector, targeting low-cost devices for schools with a starting price around . The operating system was designed for Chromebook-like laptops, featuring restrictions on app installations to focus on educational tools and integration with Microsoft services like Office 365. Initial interest was noted, but adoption faced challenges due to schools' commitments to Chromebooks and limited app compatibility. By 2022, devices with Windows 11 SE appeared in schools, but market penetration remained modest, hindered by hardware requirements and competition from Chromebooks. Microsoft announced the discontinuation of Windows 11 SE in 2025, with support ending in October 2026, necessitating migration for schools using the OS. This decision reflects a strategic shift towards cloud-based solutions and highlights the challenges of competing against established platforms like Chrome OS.
AppWizard
July 31, 2025
Chromebook users have experienced the disappearance of the Google Play Store and Android applications, attributed to software updates, device compatibility issues, and changes in Google’s policies. Chrome OS selectively supports Android applications, with devices launched in or after 2019 generally able to access the Play Store, while older models may lose access during updates. Troubleshooting often involves checking settings or performing a factory reset, but these do not always resolve the issue. Google is phasing out legacy Chrome Web Store applications in favor of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), which disrupts Android app access. Workarounds like sideloading apps from APK files exist but require technical expertise and raise security concerns. Google is integrating new features into Chrome OS, including Play Store filters, but persistent app disappearance issues could undermine user trust. The situation reflects broader tensions in Google’s ecosystem management, impacting the adoption of Chromebooks as professional devices. Users have expressed frustration over unexplained app losses, highlighting the need for clearer communication from Google.
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