licensing agreement

Winsage
February 25, 2026
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
October 18, 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.
AppWizard
July 18, 2025
Minecraft has partnered with Simple Modern to launch a new line of themed merchandise for the back-to-school season, which includes a Minecraft-themed Fletcher backpack, Hadley lunchbox, and an insulated stainless-steel water bottle. Simple Modern has established collaborations with over 100 colleges and universities and major sports leagues, as well as brands like Disney, Marvel, and Fortnite.
Winsage
May 31, 2025
Microsoft will retire Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, after which it will no longer receive technical support, feature updates, or security patches. Users can upgrade to Windows 11, but not all devices meet its requirements. Microsoft offers an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for an additional year of security support for a fee. Another option is the Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC edition, which provides a streamlined experience but is not intended for general consumer use and comes with complex licensing requirements. Windows 10 LTSC will receive official support for several years, but as mainstream Windows 10 approaches its end-of-support date, software and driver support may decline. Users with older hardware may consider acquiring a Windows 10 LTSC key to extend device functionality, but should weigh the associated challenges.
AppWizard
May 26, 2025
The FIA has partnered with Nacon to revive the World Rally Championship (WRC) gaming series, set to launch in 2027, following the end of its licensing agreement with Codemasters. Nacon will have exclusive rights to develop WRC games for PC and consoles over the next six seasons. Arne Dirks, the FIA's chief marketing officer, expressed excitement about the collaboration. Kylotonn, the studio likely to develop the games, has received mixed reviews for its past WRC titles, with WRC 7 rated "very positive" and WRC 10 rated "mostly positive" on Steam. Community reactions are mixed, with some fans disappointed by the change from Codemasters, while others are cautiously optimistic about Kylotonn's progress in game quality.
Winsage
May 20, 2025
Microsoft unveiled a vision for AI agents at its annual Build conference, highlighting their potential to operate across various contexts and enhance productivity. The company announced the availability of Grok 3, an AI model from Elon Musk's xAI, on its Azure AI Foundry marketplace. Microsoft shares closed up 1% on Monday. Pfizer entered an exclusive licensing agreement with 3SBio for an experimental cancer treatment, SSGJ-707, with an upfront payment of 4 million and potential additional payments of up to .8 billion. Following the announcement, shares of 3SBio surged over 32%. Foxconn plans to invest nearly .5 billion in its Indian operations, acquiring shares in Yuzhan Technology India as Apple shifts some iPhone assembly from China to India. Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Limited (CATL) shares rose 16.4% in its market debut, raising billion in the largest IPO of the year. Vodafone reported a full-year operating loss of €411 million, down from a €3.67 billion profit the previous year, attributed to non-cash impairment charges. Despite this, Vodafone launched a €2 billion share buyback program, leading to a 1.6% increase in its shares.
Winsage
March 31, 2025
- Windows was originally named "Interface Manager" before being changed to "Windows" prior to its launch in 1985. - Early versions of Windows (1.0, 2.0, and 3.x) operated on top of MS-DOS and required users to boot into MS-DOS before launching the graphical interface. - The Briefcase folder was an early tool for synchronizing files between computers, which became obsolete with the rise of cloud storage solutions. - Prior to Windows XP, user profiles were basic and lacked robust security; full user accounts were implemented with Windows NT. - Several applications from Windows 1.0, including Calculator, Paint, Notepad, Clock, and Control Panel, are still present in Windows 11 in modernized forms. - The "Format" dialog in File Explorer has used the same code for over 30 years, although updates for FAT32 support are being developed. - TrueType fonts were introduced in Windows 3.1 in 1992 through a licensing agreement with Apple, improving font rendering quality. - The "Ctrl + Alt + Delete" shortcut was created by IBM engineer David Bradley as a debugging tool and later adopted by Microsoft for secure attention sequences in Windows NT. - Windows 1.0 required a minimum of 256KB of RAM at its launch in 1985, while Windows 11 requires at least 4GB.
AppWizard
February 19, 2025
Valve has released the complete client and server code for Team Fortress 2 (TF2) as part of its Source engine Software Development Kit (SDK), allowing developers to create game modifications. The SDK enables fans to "change, extend or rewrite" the TF2 experience, but all modifications must be non-commercial and offered free of charge. TF2 mods can be published on the Steam Store as new games. Valve emphasizes the importance of respecting community contributions and encourages mod creators to integrate community-driven content with the new modifications while honoring the work of Workshop contributors.
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