Extended Security Archives

Winsage

April 1, 2025

Windows 11 market share grows rapidly with the end of Windows 10 approaching

As of March 2025, Windows 10 has a market share of 54.23%, down 4.43 percentage points from the previous month, while Windows 11's market share has risen to 42.66%, an increase of 4.53 percentage points. Windows 11's adoption has surged by 15.98 percentage points since March 2024, while Windows 10 has declined by 14.84 percentage points during the same period. Regular support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025, with only the Extended Security Updates program available for continued security updates. Windows 7 has a market share of 2.22%, Windows XP is at 0.33%, and Windows 8.1 stands at 0.28%.

Winsage

March 27, 2025

Windows 10 Ending : Microsoft Makes Windows 11 Free, But Not for Long

Microsoft's official end of support for Windows 10 is set for October 2025, prompting the company to encourage users to transition to Windows 11 through a "limited-time" free upgrade offer. Windows 11 has stringent system requirements, including TPM 2.0 support, which many older PCs lack. Microsoft 365 apps will stop receiving updates on Windows 10 after support ends, although they will continue to function. Users who do not upgrade can opt for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for continued security patches at a cost. Options for users include upgrading to a compatible PC, switching to another operating system like Linux, or remaining on Windows 10 with limited support.

Winsage

March 26, 2025

New Windows 0-Day Vulnerability Let Remote Attackers Steal NTLM Credentials

A critical vulnerability affecting various Windows operating systems, including Windows 7, Server 2008 R2, Windows 11 v24H2, and Server 2025, allows attackers to capture NTLM authentication credentials through interactions with malicious files in Windows Explorer. Exploitation can occur when users open shared folders, insert USB drives with malicious files, or view downloaded files. The vulnerability is similar to a previously patched flaw (CVE-2025-21377) but has not been fully documented. Security researchers have developed micropatches available for free until Microsoft releases a permanent fix. These micropatches support a wide range of Windows versions, including legacy and currently supported systems. The micropatches have been automatically distributed to affected systems with the 0patch Agent installed.

Winsage

March 26, 2025

New Windows 0-Day Vulnerability Let Remote Attackers Steal NTLM Credentials

A critical vulnerability affects all Windows operating systems from Windows 7 to Windows 11 v24H2 and Server 2025, allowing attackers to capture NTLM authentication credentials through malicious files viewed in Windows Explorer. Exploitation can occur when users open shared folders, insert USB drives with malicious files, or view previously downloaded files. The vulnerability is similar to a previously patched flaw (CVE-2025-21377) but has not been publicly documented. Security researchers have developed micropatches through 0patch to temporarily mitigate the issue, which will be available at no cost until Microsoft releases a permanent solution. The micropatches support various Windows versions, including legacy and currently supported systems, and can be automatically deployed without requiring system reboots.

Winsage

March 25, 2025

The six-step countdown to Windows 10 end of life

The end of Windows 10 support is approaching, prompting IT decision-makers to consider transitioning to Windows 11. This transition allows organizations to modernize hardware, rethink client infrastructure, and adopt advanced management technologies. Continuing to use Windows 10 can lead to high maintenance costs and potential performance issues with M365/Office applications after October 14, 2025. Upgrading to AI-capable PCs can enhance operational efficiencies, while unsupported systems expose organizations to cyber threats and compliance risks. Windows 11 Pro offers improved security features, and upgrading aligns with sustainability goals through practices like Asset Recovery Services. A well-planned transition strategy is essential to avoid rushed decisions and ensure compatibility and training. Delaying the upgrade poses risks, including financial burdens from extended security update fees.

Winsage

March 24, 2025

Windows 11 offers massive benefits for users and great opportunities for the channel

The transition to Windows 11 is imminent, with significant opportunities for industry partners, as highlighted by Thomas Tapsas from Synnex. The end of technical support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025 means no further security or feature updates, and Microsoft 365 will not be supported on Windows 10. Approximately 5.7 million PCs in Australian commercial organizations are still running Windows 10, with over half unable to support Windows 11, necessitating the replacement of nearly 4 million computers before the deadline. Australia’s adoption rate of Windows 11 is around 38%, while over half of the UK market has already upgraded. Upgrading to new PCs running Windows 11 offers substantial hardware improvements, including better battery life and enhanced components. Newer PCs also support hardware protection for BitLocker-encrypted drives and experience 58% fewer security incidents. Organizations that have not begun the transition are approximately 300 days behind schedule in an average upgrade program that spans about 450 days.

Winsage

March 24, 2025

Windows 10 Support is Ending; Here’s What You Need to Do Next

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. After this date, Windows 10 PCs will still function but will not receive security updates or bug fixes, leading to potential vulnerabilities and compatibility issues. Microsoft is encouraging users to upgrade to Windows 11, which currently has a market share of 38%. Users can maintain security by keeping antivirus software and browsers updated, and Google Chrome will continue to receive updates on Windows 10. Microsoft offers an Extended Security Update (ESU) program for Windows 10, providing critical updates for a fee, with the first year starting on November 11, 2025, and ending on October 13, 2026. Consumers will need to upgrade to Windows 11 by October 2026 unless further extensions are announced. There are methods to bypass Windows 11's hardware requirements, such as using tools like Rufus or Registry workarounds. Alternatives to upgrading include Chrome OS Flex and Linux Mint, both of which offer user-friendly environments for continued computing tasks.

Winsage

March 23, 2025

Microsoft recommends a drastic move for Windows 11 upgrade, report says

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Currently, Windows 10 accounts for 58.7% of all Windows desktop users, while Windows 11 has 38.1%. Microsoft is encouraging users to upgrade to Windows 11 by sending emails about the end of support and providing information on the upgrade process. The minimum specifications for Windows 11 include a 1 GHz or faster processor with 2 or more cores, 4GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, and a TPM version 2.0. Some users have successfully installed Windows 11 on older computers, but certain hardware requirements may be challenging for others. Microsoft is offering Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10 users for a fee, providing an additional year of updates. The upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is free and designed to be straightforward, with notifications being sent to users. Windows 11 features enhanced functionality, including Microsoft Recall, which allows users to revisit past actions.

Winsage

March 16, 2025

E-waste or Linux? Charities face tough choices as Windows 10 support ends

Microsoft will end free security updates for Windows 10 in October, affecting charities that refurbish older computers. Approximately 240 million PCs do not meet Windows 11's hardware requirements, which include a CPU of 1GHz or faster with at least two cores, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, Secure Boot capability, and TPM 2.0 compatibility. Many recent computers are ineligible for the upgrade despite having sufficient RAM and storage. Chester Wisniewski from Sophos warns that using Windows 10 poses security risks, as vulnerabilities in both Windows 10 and 11 can be exploited. Charities using Windows 10 may face compliance issues with regulations like GDPR, risking fines and reputational damage. The U.S. recycles only 14 to 40 percent of electronic waste, leading to an estimated 1.06 billion pounds of e-waste, which contaminates soil and water. The UN estimates the annual economic cost of e-waste at billions, projected to rise significantly by 2030. Statcounter reports that Windows 10 still accounts for 58.7 percent of Windows installations. Organizations like PCs for People have shifted to Linux Mint for older systems, ceasing distribution of Windows 10 a year before the cutoff.

Winsage

March 14, 2025

Linux or Landfill? End of Windows 10 Leaves PC Charities with Tough Choice

Microsoft will cease free security updates for Windows 10 in October 2023, pushing users to upgrade to Windows 11. However, approximately 240 million PCs do not meet Windows 11's hardware requirements, which only support Intel 8th generation CPUs and AMD Ryzen 2000 series and newer. Many older computers from 2017 and 2018 will remain on outdated versions of Windows, be repurposed with alternative operating systems, or end up as ewaste, with only 14 to 40 percent of ewaste in the U.S. being recycled. Charities like PCs for People are shifting to provide Linux laptops for older systems, as they discontinue distributing Windows 10 due to security concerns. Windows 10 still accounts for 58.7 percent of all Windows installations, and experts warn that continuing to use it after the update cutoff poses significant security risks.