IoT Enterprise Archives

Winsage

May 23, 2026

Windows 11 now lets you remove Microsoft Copilot app with Group Policy or Registry, as it tries to win back users

Recent feedback from Windows 11 users has led Microsoft to simplify the process of uninstalling Copilot due to dissatisfaction with its integration. A Group Policy option titled “Remove Microsoft Copilot app” has been introduced in the April 2026 Update, allowing users to remove Copilot via User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows AI. Users can also uninstall Copilot directly from the installed apps list or by right-clicking the icon, although it may reappear after a fresh installation due to certain updates. To uninstall Copilot and Microsoft 365 Copilot using Group Policy, the following conditions must be met: both apps must be installed, the user did not install them independently, and the Copilot app has not been used for over 28 days. This policy is supported on Pro, Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise or LTSC versions of Windows 11. Windows 11 Home users can manually remove Copilot by creating a registry key at HKEYCURRENTUSERSoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindowsAI and setting a DWORD value named RemoveMicrosoftCopilotApp to 1. Alternatively, users can execute a PowerShell script to remove Copilot. Microsoft has not provided an uninstall option for Copilot in the Start menu.

Winsage

May 22, 2026

Get That Windows 7 Feel In An OS That Still Gets Updates

Classic 7 is a reskin of Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC, not a revival of Windows 7. It offers long-term support with security updates until 2032 and lacks consumer-oriented bloatware. Classic 7 eliminates forced feature updates, providing a stable user experience and a visually appealing interface reminiscent of Windows 7. Users may face challenges in obtaining a license for this version.

Winsage

May 8, 2026

Windows 11 Clients: The Group Policy Editors gpedit.msc and GPMC are broken

The Group Policy Editors gpedit.msc and gpmc from the RSAT tools are experiencing functionality issues in Windows 11 due to a bug that causes an overflow error, resulting in incorrect configurations being saved. This issue was first reported by Mark Heitbrink to Microsoft in March 2026, but he has not received feedback. The bug appears to be unique to Windows 11 clients, as tests on Windows Server did not show the problem. Mark documented the bug with submission number VULN-180447 and case number 111952. He described how to reproduce the issue involving the group policy "Delay Foreground download from http" and the decimal value "4294967295," which gets altered to "2147483647" on Windows 11. Mark speculated that the issue might be due to the Windows client using the INT data type instead of unsigned INT, leading to an overflow. He noted that over 50 policies are affected by this MaxValue issue across various components.

Winsage

April 24, 2026

Microsoft Throws IT Admins a Bone With Ability to Remove Copilot From Windows

Microsoft is adjusting its rollout strategy for Copilot AI in Windows 11 in response to user concerns by slowing down the introduction and visibility of AI features. IT administrators can now completely remove Copilot from their systems with the new setting called RemoveMicrosoftCopilotApp, introduced in Windows 11, version 25H2 (KB5083769). This feature allows for non-disruptive uninstallation of Copilot for organizations using Pro, Enterprise, Education, or IoT Enterprise editions. Specific criteria must be met for effective removal: both Microsoft 365 Copilot and Microsoft Copilot must be installed, the app should not have been installed by the user, and it must not have been launched in the past 28 days. The change is reversible, allowing for reinstallation if needed.

Winsage

March 5, 2026

I tested Windows 11 LTSC in 2026, and it’s the best version of Windows 11 without Copilot, AI and other bloat

Windows 11 LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) is a specialized edition of Windows 11 designed for organizations that prioritize stability over the latest features. It allows users to defer feature updates for up to ten years, receiving only monthly quality updates and optional feature updates every three years. LTSC includes only Microsoft Edge as a modern app, with classic versions of Calculator, Notepad, and Paint, and lacks Copilot integration, the Microsoft Store, and Widgets. Users can operate LTSC without signing into a Microsoft account. The version was officially announced in April 2023, with Enterprise and IoT editions set to launch in late 2024. It is suitable for large organizations, industrial systems, IT departments, and IoT devices needing long-term support. General users can download a 90-day trial of LTSC, but a clean installation is required for transitioning from Windows 11 Pro or Home. The minimum system requirements include a 1 GHz processor, 4 GB RAM, and 64 GB storage. LTSC offers advantages such as no bloatware, a stable environment, and a lower storage footprint, but it does not receive new Windows features and lacks access to the Microsoft Store by default.

Winsage

February 25, 2026

Microsoft gives Windows laggards the ‘gift of time’ wrapped in licensing fees

Microsoft is offering up to three years of Extended Security Updates (ESU) for older Windows installations, with the expectation of compensation. Most major versions of Windows 10 will reach end of support by 2025, while Windows 10 Enterprise 2016 LTSB and Windows IoT Enterprise LTSB 2016 will end support on October 13, 2026, and Windows Server 2016 will conclude support on January 12, 2027. Microsoft recommends upgrading to Windows Server 2025 for Windows Server 2016 users. The pricing for ESU for Windows 10 2016 LTSB starts at a specified amount per device for the first year, with expected increases in subsequent years. Customers using Intune or Windows Autopatch may receive a reduced rate. There is no official pricing for Windows Server 2016 ESU, creating uncertainty for administrators. Historically, Microsoft has charged a premium for extended support, with previous ESU costs for Windows Server 2012 being 100 percent of the full license price for the first year. The final cost of ESU will depend on each organization’s licensing agreement.

Winsage

February 24, 2026

Microsoft extends security patching for three Windows products at a price

Support for Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016 and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2016 LTSB will end on October 13, 2026, while Windows Server 2016 will reach its end of support on January 12, 2027. Organizations using these products will receive one final monthly security update on the specified dates, after which they will not receive security patches, updates, or technical support. The Extended Security Updates (ESU) program allows organizations to purchase coverage for up to three years beyond the end of support, with pricing starting at a specified amount per device for the first year and doubling for each subsequent year. Windows Server 2016's ESU pricing has not been announced, and Microsoft recommends upgrading to newer Long-Term Servicing Channel releases. In the European Economic Area, Windows 10 users can access ESU until October 14, 2026, without payment or cloud account requirements due to advocacy from Euroconsumers.

Winsage

February 24, 2026

Support for Windows Server 2016 is coming to an end

Microsoft has announced the end of support for several Windows products launched in 2016, including Windows Server 2016, Windows 10 Enterprise 2016 LTSB, and Windows IoT Enterprise LTSB 2016. Windows Server 2016 has been in the extended support phase since January 2022, with security updates available until January 12, 2027. Windows 10 Enterprise 2016 LTSB and Windows IoT Enterprise LTSB 2016 will reach the end of their extended support on October 13, 2026. Microsoft offers the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for these products, allowing critical security updates for a fee, with costs for Windows 10 Enterprise 2016 LTSB set to increase annually per device. ESU will also be available for Windows Server 2016, but pricing details are not yet released. Windows IoT Enterprise LTSB 2016 will receive extended support through hardware manufacturers, with terms and costs varying by supplier. Microsoft emphasizes that using unsupported software increases risks and that migrating to a newer version of Windows is the only long-term solution.

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.