IoT Enterprise Archives

Winsage

January 1, 2026

Microsoft’s 2026 end-of-support wave includes Windows 11 24H2, Office 2021, and more

Microsoft will discontinue support for Windows 11 24H2 on October 4, 2026. Windows 11 23H2 Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise support ends on November 10, 2026. Office 2021 support will conclude on October 13, 2026. Upgrading from Office 2021 to Office 2024 will require purchasing a new license. The following products will also lose support in 2026: .NET 9 (November 10), .NET 8 (November 10), PowerShell 7.4 (November 10), and Windows Server 2012/2012 R2 (October 13).

Winsage

December 27, 2025

Windows 11 Users Demand Leaner OS to Cut AI Bloat and Boost Speed

Microsoft is facing significant user criticism regarding Windows 11, particularly due to its emphasis on artificial intelligence features, which many users find unnecessary and detrimental to performance. Complaints include sluggish interfaces, increased resource consumption, and a cluttered user experience, leading to calls for a more streamlined version that prioritizes speed, reliability, and efficiency. Users have reported issues such as slow file explorers and excessive RAM usage, often linking these problems to AI-driven functionalities. Community-driven alternatives like Tiny11 have emerged, focusing on eliminating bloatware and AI features to enhance efficiency, especially on older hardware. Microsoft has acknowledged user concerns and promised improvements, but the integration of AI tools continues to dominate updates. The company is also reconsidering its strategy in response to backlash, including relaxing system requirements for certain versions of Windows. However, there remains a strong demand for a lightweight version that balances innovation with core functionalities, as users express frustration over imposed features and a lack of choice.

Winsage

November 26, 2025

How to make your ATMs Windows 11 ready

ATM operators are facing challenges in transitioning from Windows 10 to Windows 11 as support for Windows 10 ends. Many ATMs currently operate on various versions of Windows 10 IoT LTSC, including 2015, 2016, 2019, and 2021, each with different support lifecycles and upgrade paths. The most urgent concern is the Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC/LTSB 2015, which will lose support on October 14, 2025. The readiness of ATM manufacturers for Windows 11 varies; Diebold Nixdorf and Hyosung have announced their support, while NCR Atleos has not provided public information on its plans. Effective migration to Windows 11 requires thorough planning and testing, as manual testing processes may be inefficient. Utilizing virtualization and automation can enhance testing capabilities, allowing for concurrent testing of multiple OS versions, automated regression testing, and remote access to testing environments. Advanced tools like VirtualATM can help organizations manage the upgrade process more effectively.

Winsage

November 12, 2025

Microsoft: Windows 11 23H2 Home and Pro reach end of support

Microsoft has announced that security updates for the Home and Pro editions of Windows 11 23H2 will cease as of November 11, 2025. The last available update for these editions will be the November 2025 monthly security update. In contrast, the Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise editions of Windows 11 23H2 will remain under mainstream support until November 2026. Users are encouraged to upgrade to Windows 11 25H2, which became available in September 2025 and will receive support until October 2027. Eligible devices can check for the update in the Windows Update settings, and for unmanaged devices, the update will be applied automatically.

Winsage

November 11, 2025

UK’s £312M Windows 10 Fiasco: Upgrading to Obsolescence on EOL’s Doorstep

The UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has allocated £312 million to upgrade its IT systems to Windows 10, just months before Microsoft ends support for the operating system on October 14, 2025. Defra faces challenges in migrating thousands of devices, with 24,000 outdated machines incompatible with newer systems. A survey indicates that 90% of UK finance firms also struggle with outdated IT infrastructure, increasing cybersecurity risks. The National Cyber Security Centre has warned organizations to prepare for migrations to Windows 11. Defra's £312 million expenditure includes software licenses, consulting fees, and hardware refreshes, but additional risks such as increased downtime and regulatory fines could lead to significant consequences. The department's outdated devices do not meet Windows 11’s TPM 2.0 requirements, complicating the upgrade process. Experts advocate for an upgrade to Windows 11, but extensive compatibility testing and user training are necessary. Government oversight bodies are scrutinizing Defra’s expenditures, and discussions suggest alternatives like Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC, which offers updates until 2032. The financial implications of Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates pricing add strain, as costs double in subsequent years. The urgency for upgrades is emphasized by the potential cybersecurity risks, with experts warning of vulnerabilities affecting national food security and environmental initiatives.

Winsage

November 6, 2025

Microsoft confirms a bug is hitting paid Windows 10 ESU users

Microsoft's extended security updates (ESU) program for Windows 10 is experiencing a display bug that causes some users to receive erroneous "end of support" notifications despite being enrolled in the program. This issue arose after the installation of the KB5066791 update, released on October 14, 2025, which is the final official security patch for Windows 10. The glitch affects various editions, including Windows 10 22H2 Pro, Education, and Enterprise, as well as Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021. Microsoft has confirmed that this is a visual error, and devices with a legitimate ESU license will continue to receive security updates. A temporary solution has been provided for businesses, while individual users will need to wait for a future Windows update to fix the issue. Users can verify their enrollment in the ESU program by checking the Windows Update settings for a confirmation message.

Winsage

November 4, 2025

Windows 10 update incorrectly tells some users they’ve reached end-of-life, despite having extended support — Microsoft confirms message sent to Enterprise, Pro, and Education users in error

Microsoft has ceased mainstream support for Windows 10, prompting users to transition to Windows 11. Certain versions of Windows 10, including Enterprise LTSC and those in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, will continue to receive security updates until at least 2027. However, users have reported receiving premature end-of-support notifications, particularly those using Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 and IoT Enterprise, which are supported until 2032. This confusion arose after the deployment of the KB5066791 updates on October 14, 2025, which triggered erroneous messages. Microsoft acknowledged the error, stating that the notifications were a mistake, and has provided a cloud configuration fix that requires users to be online and restart their systems. Microsoft reassured users that both Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 remain supported and will continue to receive updates as per their lifecycles.

Winsage

November 4, 2025

Microsoft wrongly tells supported Windows 10 PCs they’re out of support, nudges Windows 11

Microsoft has acknowledged a bug affecting some Windows 10 users, incorrectly notifying them that their systems are “out of support.” Users can extend their Windows 10 support at no cost until October 13, 2026. The misleading message appears even when the user’s PC remains fully supported. This issue potentially impacts users on Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, Education editions with ESU enabled, as well as Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 and IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021. Users will continue to receive updates if they are on Windows 10 LTSC or linked to ESU. Microsoft is rolling out a server-side fix for the false alert, which is expected to disappear within 24 to 48 hours. Users can verify their installed version or edition by navigating to Settings > System > About. Microsoft has provided a rollback option for IT administrators to address this issue.

Winsage

October 18, 2025

What is Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 and why does it expire in 2032 and not in 2025?

Windows 10 support will expire on October 14, 2025, but Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 will receive updates until January 2032. This version is designed for embedded systems like kiosks and ATMs, focusing on security and stability without new feature releases. Transitioning to Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC requires a new license, as an in-place upgrade is not possible. Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC may lead to compatibility challenges and lacks access to the Microsoft Store. Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC is also an option, with support lasting until 2029 and extended support until October 2034. Transitioning from standard Windows versions to IoT Enterprise LTSC can be complex and may involve data loss.