enrollment Archives

Winsage

February 5, 2025

Remember it’ll cost ya to keep the lights on for Windows 10

Microsoft has updated its support documentation for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10, detailing the pricing structure for commercial customers starting in 2024. The costs are set at per device for the first year, doubling in the second year, and reaching four times the initial cost in the third year. Organizations that join in Year Two must still pay for Year One, as the ESUs are cumulative. Free support for most versions of Windows 10 will end in November 2025. Organizations with a Windows 10 endpoint connected to a Windows 365 Cloud PC may qualify for free ESUs, and Windows 10 virtual machines in Windows 365 or Azure Virtual Desktop can access ESUs for up to three years with an active Windows 365 subscription license.

Winsage

December 21, 2024

How to install and deploy Network Controller on Windows Server

The Network Controller in Windows Server is a server role that enables centralized management of physical and virtual network infrastructures. To install and deploy a Network Controller, the following steps are required: 1. Create a Security Group: Establish an Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) Security Group by creating a new group in Active Directory User and Computer, adding necessary users, and requesting a certificate from a Certificate Authority. 2. Install the Network Controller: Open Server Manager, navigate to Add Roles and Features, select the Network Controller role, and complete the installation process. 3. Deploy Network Controller: Configure the Network Controller cluster by creating a cluster node using PowerShell commands, specifying parameters such as the node name, server FQDN, fault domain, and REST interface. Then, run a command to configure the cluster with options for authentication, management security group, log locations, and SSL usage. Finally, validate the deployment by executing the command Get-NetworkController.

Winsage

December 19, 2024

The objectively best AI tool on Copilot+ PCs is arriving on AMD and Intel chips

Microsoft is enhancing its Copilot+ PCs with upgraded live captions and translation features, allowing real-time translation for over 44 languages. This capability is designed to improve communication during video calls, recordings, and streamed content. The feature is available on AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs and requires enrollment in the Windows 11 Dev channel for access.

AppWizard

December 16, 2024

Gemini Advanced subscribers can now use Gemini Flash 2.0 Experimental in latest Gemini app beta

Google has announced Gemini 2.0, which includes the Gemini 2.0 Flash Experimental model. This lightweight and fast model is available on the Gemini web client and is being rolled out to the mobile Gemini app in the latest beta update. Users can switch between models easily in version 15.50 of the Gemini app. The Gemini 2.0 Flash Experimental model is accessible only to Gemini Advanced subscribers, available through the Google One AI Premium plan. Users can join the Google app beta or expect future access through the stable channel.

Winsage

December 16, 2024

Attention if your PC is running Windows, the company warns 400 million users not to update to the latest version

Microsoft will terminate support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, meaning no more updates for bugs or security vulnerabilities will be provided. Currently, nearly 62% of PCs run on Windows 10. Approximately 400 million devices do not meet the minimum system requirements for Windows 11, and Microsoft advises against installing it on ineligible hardware due to potential compatibility issues. Users can check compatibility using the PC Health Check app. Alternatives for those unable to upgrade include installing Microsoft’s Extended Security Update (ESU) for an additional year or purchasing compatible hardware for Windows 11.

Winsage

December 7, 2024

Microsoft Expands Access to Windows Recall AI Feature

Microsoft has expanded its Windows Recall feature to Copilot+ PCs with AMD and Intel chipsets, following its initial availability on Snapdragon devices. The feature is currently in a preview stage for Windows Insiders and allows users to capture and revisit specific snapshots of their work. Microsoft has implemented privacy and security measures, including data encryption, turning Recall off by default, and requiring Windows Hello biometrics for recording sessions. Recall is also part of Microsoft's bug bounty program to address security vulnerabilities. The rollout was delayed from June to October and then to November before being launched in a limited capacity.

Winsage

December 5, 2024

Microsoft says having a TPM is “non-negotiable” for Windows 11

Microsoft requires TPM 2.0 support as a non-negotiable prerequisite for upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 to enhance security. TPM 2.0 is a specialized processor that provides hardware-based security functions, such as storing sensitive information securely. As of October 2023, over 61% of Windows systems globally still run Windows 10, while less than 35% have upgraded to Windows 11 since its launch in October 2021. Microsoft will offer an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for home users to postpone their upgrade to Windows 11 for an additional year, with enrollment opening closer to the end of support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Specialized versions of Windows, like LTSB and LTSC, will continue to receive updates beyond this date. Windows 11 24H2 has begun rolling out to eligible devices running Windows 11, versions 22H2 and 23H2.

Winsage

December 3, 2024

Turn on or off Filter Sensitive Information for Recall Snapshots in Windows 11

Users can manage the Sensitive Information Filter for Recall snapshots on a Copilot+ PC running Windows 11. By default, this filter prevents saving snapshots that may contain sensitive data. Users can disable the filter by going to Settings > Privacy & security > Recall & snapshots and toggling the Filter sensitive information option. Disabling the filter allows snapshots to be saved even with sensitive information visible, but all snapshots remain encrypted. To enable the Recall feature, users must ensure the Save snapshots option is turned on in the same settings menu. The minimum system requirements for Recall include a Copilot+ PC compliant with Secured-code standards, at least 16 GB RAM, 256 GB storage, a neural processing unit with 40 TOPs, and 50 GB of free storage. Additionally, Bitlocker or Device Encryption must be enabled, and enrollment in Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security is required with at least one biometric sign-in option activated.

Winsage

November 23, 2024

Previewing Recall with Click to Do on Copilot+ PCs with Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.2415 (KB5046723) has been released to the Dev Channel, introducing features like Recall (Preview) and Click to Do (Preview) for Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs. Users can join the Dev Channel by registering for the Windows Insider Program and selecting the Dev Channel in the settings. Recall allows users to search for previously interacted items on their PC using AI, requiring Windows Hello for authentication and enabling BitLocker and Secure Boot. Users can manage saved snapshots, delete unwanted ones, and ensure their data remains private. Recall detects sensitive information and does not save such snapshots. Click to Do integrates with Recall to enhance productivity by offering actions for recognized text and images within snapshots. This feature is also currently exclusive to Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs. The update includes various improvements and fixes across Windows 11 PCs, such as enhancements to Windows Hello, Narrator, and speech functionalities. Known issues with Recall and Click to Do will be addressed in future updates.

Winsage

November 15, 2024

Microsoft just killed the Windows 10 Beta Channel again

Microsoft has closed the Windows 10 Beta Channel and transitioned all enrolled Windows Insiders to the Release Preview Channel. The Beta Channel was reopened in June 2023 for testing new features for Windows 10, version 22H2, but was discontinued five months later without detailed explanation. Over 60% of Windows systems globally still operate on Windows 10, while Windows 11 accounts for 35% of the market share. Windows 10 version 22H2 will receive monthly security updates until October 14, 2025, after which Microsoft will stop addressing bugs and vulnerabilities. Home users can postpone their transition to Windows 11 for an additional year by purchasing Extended Security Updates (ESU), with enrollment available closer to the end of support in 2025. Enterprise customers will have access to ESU starting November 1, 2024, with the first ESU set to be released in November 2025.