license agreement Archives

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.

AppWizard

February 12, 2025

Looks like Neverwinter Nights 2 has been freed from rights hell and is due an imminent enhanced edition release, bringing the 2006 RPG from 5GB to 36GB

Beamdog has redefined classic RPGs like Baldur's Gate 1 and 2, Planescape: Torment, Icewind Dale, and Neverwinter Nights 1 as definitive editions for modern gamers. Icewind Dale 2 and Neverwinter Nights 2 remain absent from this collection. The prospects for a remaster of Icewind Dale 2 are bleak due to issues with its source code. However, there is optimism for a re-release of Neverwinter Nights 2, as recent updates on SteamDB indicate that significant upscaling work on the game's textures has been completed, and it will include all expansions: Storm of Zehir, Mask of the Betrayer, and Mysteries of Westgate. The EULA references Aspyr, but it is speculated that they may have entrusted the remastering to Beamdog, which they acquired in 2022.

Winsage

December 23, 2024

Microsoft Windows IoT for Client Systems: A Historical Journey and Today’s Latest Innovations

Microsoft's Windows Embedded and Windows IoT products began in 1999 with Windows NT Embedded, codenamed Impala. Windows XP Embedded, known as Mantis, expanded toolkit capabilities with tools like Target Designer and Component Designer. Windows Embedded POSReady 2009 catered to the point-of-sale sector, maintaining a consistent kernel across consumer and embedded versions. Windows CE supported mobile devices with various architectures and reached its end of support in 2023. Windows Embedded 7 Standard and Windows 7 for Embedded Systems required special licensing agreements. Windows Embedded Standard 8 did not succeed in the industrial market, while Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, launched in 2015, introduced LTSB/LTSC options with a decade of security updates. A tiered licensing structure was introduced for Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, accommodating different CPU performances. The Base license allowed Windows 10 IoT Enterprise on industrial Arm devices, specifically the NXP i.MX8 family. Windows 11 21H2 established the General Availability Channel for IoT, with Windows 11 IoT Enterprise 2024 LTSC set to debut in May 2024. Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC supports Arm Qualcomm CPUs and introduces features like USB 4.0 and Wi-Fi 6/7 support, along with a commitment to 10 years of security updates. Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2021 LTSC will remain supported until 2031.

Winsage

October 30, 2024

Arm and Qualcomm are fighting–what does that mean for Windows on Arm?

Qualcomm is currently engaged in a legal battle with Arm, which has issued a 60-day ultimatum threatening to revoke Qualcomm's license to its technology before a court date in December. This conflict stems from Arm's lawsuit initiated in 2022 over Qualcomm's acquisition of Nuvia and involves financial disagreements over licensing fees. Qualcomm generates approximately billion annually from using Arm's technology, and its potential loss of access could disrupt various manufacturers reliant on its chips, including major players like Microsoft and Android manufacturers. Arm accounted for about 10% of its total revenue from Qualcomm last fiscal year, indicating a mutual dependence between the two companies. The outcome of this dispute could have significant implications for the broader technology sector.

AppWizard

October 12, 2024

Steam’s new disclaimer reminds everyone that you don’t actually own your games, GOG moves in for the killshot: Its offline installers ‘cannot be taken away from you’

Steam has added a message on its shopping cart page stating that a purchase of a digital product grants a license for the product on Steam, clarifying that users do not acquire ownership of a game. This update follows Valve's revision of its subscriber agreement and comes amid ongoing discussions about digital ownership and consumer rights. The message likely responds to consumer backlash against game publishers who have discontinued support for online titles, as seen in incidents like Ubisoft's discontinuation of services for The Crew. Additionally, a new California law requires retailers to inform consumers that digital games can be revoked at any time, prompting Valve's proactive measure to ensure compliance. GOG is also reviewing its checkout messaging in light of these developments.