end of support for Windows 10 Archives

Winsage

May 2, 2025

Amid the slow death of Windows 10, Microsoft’s CEO reveals a bold stat about Windows 11

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, meaning no more security patches will be provided. As of April 2024, Windows 10 comprised 70% of Windows users, but this dropped to 54% by April 2025. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella reported a nearly 75% increase in commercial deployments of Windows 11 year over year. Transitioning from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is free, but Windows 11 requires more RAM and memory, which may not be compatible with older hardware. Microsoft continues to release updates for Windows 11, with the latest security update on April 25 and the anticipated 24H2 version released in October 2024. The next version, Windows 11 25H2, is expected between September and October 2025.

Winsage

May 1, 2025

4 Windows versions Windows 12 should shamelessly imitate

Windows 12 is speculated to potentially launch in two to three years, following the end of support for Windows 10. It may draw inspiration from previous successful versions like Windows XP, Windows 7, and Windows 10, focusing on user customization, performance, and reducing bloatware. Windows 11, launched six years after Windows 10, introduced a new visual style and features but faced criticism over hardware requirements. Windows 12 is expected to build on Windows 11's foundation with incremental improvements and enhanced support for ARM processors.

Winsage

April 30, 2025

Microsoft wants users to ditch Windows 10 before its imminent death — Using Copilot+ PCs with Recall to upsell Windows 11

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, and is encouraging users to transition to Windows 11 through its new Copilot+ PCs. These PCs meet Windows 11's system requirements and feature AI-powered enhancements, including up to 13% faster performance than the MacBook Air M4, operating up to 5 times faster than five-year-old Windows devices, and offering up to 22 hours of video playback and 15 hours of web browsing on a single charge. In January, Microsoft reported that 15% of premium-priced laptops sold in the U.S. during the holiday quarter were Copilot+ PCs, with expectations for this percentage to increase. Windows 11's market share is currently 42.69%, while Windows 10 holds 54.2%.

Winsage

April 27, 2025

Last Chance to Get Windows 11 Pro at an All-Time Low Price

The majority of Windows users are still using Windows 10, with the end of support for this version approaching, prompting the need to upgrade to Windows 11. Windows 11 Pro license keys are currently available for .97, down from the regular price of 9, but this offer expires on April 27. Windows 11 Pro includes features such as biometric login, encrypted authentication, advanced antivirus protections, improved voice typing, and better search capabilities. It also integrates Microsoft Teams and Widgets and introduces an AI-powered assistant called Copilot. For gaming, Windows 11 Pro supports DirectX 12 Ultimate for enhanced graphics. To upgrade, devices must meet specific requirements: running Windows 10 or higher, a processor of at least 1GHz, a minimum of 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. The upgrade is designed to improve productivity with tools like Snap Layouts and support for multiple virtual desktops.

Winsage

April 25, 2025

Time to see Windows 11 as a transformation accelerator – not a drag on resources

Many organizations are hesitant to upgrade to Windows 11, with a global adoption rate of only 38% since its launch in 2021. This reluctance is due to companies wanting to extend the lifespan of existing devices, despite the risks associated with inaction. Microsoft will soon discontinue free security patching for Windows 10, leading to potential costs for continued support. Windows 11 has been shown to reduce security incidents by 58% and decrease firmware attacks by more than threefold. Organizations that delay the transition may hinder their competitiveness and face employee dissatisfaction, particularly in sectors like healthcare. The end of support for Windows 10 presents a crucial opportunity for companies to reassess their IT infrastructure and invest in higher-performing technology.

Winsage

April 23, 2025

I turned my Windows PC into an EdgeBook — Microsoft’s web apps were the most glaring issue

Microsoft Edge was used as the sole application for two weeks to explore its capabilities as a potential alternative to ChromeOS for Windows 10 users. The experiment revealed that while Edge has useful features like the Sidebar and Edge Drop, the web versions of Microsoft Office were inadequate for daily tasks, often performing poorly and lacking functionality compared to desktop versions. Essential applications identified during the experiment included Snipping Tool, PowerToys, Microsoft Office apps, and a dedicated photo editor. The experiment also highlighted the possibility of uninstalling many applications from Windows 11, emphasizing the benefits of a clean install. Additionally, the potential of Windows 10X as a competitor to ChromeOS was noted, though it remains unrealized.

Winsage

April 23, 2025

Microsoft just broke another essential Start menu feature on Windows 10, and we aren’t even surprised

Microsoft's Windows 10 update KB5055518 has disrupted the Jump Lists feature in the Start menu, which allows users to access recently opened files by right-clicking app icons. Users report that Jump Lists were functioning properly before the update, and the feature remains enabled in system settings. However, the "Recent" header in Jump Lists is missing. While Jump Lists still work for pinned applications on the taskbar, the disruption in the Start menu is significant. This change follows a pattern of Microsoft removing features from Windows 10, potentially to encourage users to upgrade to Windows 11, especially as support for Windows 10 is nearing its end.

Winsage

April 22, 2025

Windows 10 LTSC – the version that won’t expire for years

The end of support for Windows 10 is approaching in October, but two editions will remain supported for two and seven more years, respectively. Windows 10 LTSC 2021 will receive mainstream support until January 12, 2027, and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 until January 13, 2032. LTSC versions lack the Windows Store and many modern applications, offering a streamlined experience with essential features only. Activation of LTSC editions requires an enterprise product key, obtainable through a Volume License Agreement. The IoT version is limited to US English, while the standard LTSC supports 38 languages. LTSC editions do not receive version upgrades, remaining on version 21H2 indefinitely. LTSC ISO files are not readily available on the Microsoft download page but can be accessed through the Microsoft portal with an enterprise license. Unauthorized third-party Windows distributions, such as Tiny11 and Atlas OS, exist but may violate Microsoft’s terms of service.

Winsage

April 21, 2025

How to keep using Windows 10 in a virtual machine after support ends

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Users can run Windows 10 in a virtual machine (VM) to continue using it safely. The tool Disk2Vhd can convert a physical Windows 10 installation into a virtual hard drive (VHD or VHDX) for use in virtualization software like VirtualBox or Hyper-V. To use Disk2Vhd, download and extract it, launch the appropriate executable, select partitions for conversion, and choose between VHD and VHDX formats based on the virtualization software. After conversion, transfer the VHD file to the target computer and set up a new VM, integrating the backup file instead of creating a new virtual hard drive. Users can also reinstall Windows 10 in a VM using an installation medium and the Media Creation Tool to download the ISO file. When creating a VM, allocate at least 4GB of virtual memory and install necessary programs and guest extensions afterward. Creating a backup point after installation is recommended for stability.

Winsage

April 21, 2025

Intune flaw pushed Windows 11 upgrades on blocked devices

Microsoft identified a "code issue" within its Intune device management software as the reason for the unintended rollout of Windows 11 to devices not designated for the upgrade. The flaw triggered upgrades despite existing policies meant to prevent them. Microsoft is working on a fix and has advised organizations to pause Windows updates via Intune to avoid further issues. Devices that received the upgrade erroneously will need manual intervention to revert to their previous version. This incident follows a similar occurrence in November 2024, where customers experienced unexpected upgrades from Windows Server 2022 to Windows Server 2025. Microsoft attributed that incident to third-party products used for managing server updates. Additionally, a month prior, Microsoft retracted a preview update for Windows 11 due to severe issues causing crashes.