LTSC Archives

Tech Optimizer

September 8, 2026

Microsoft Confirms False “Defender Antivirus Turned Off” Alerts Spreading Across Windows Devices

Microsoft has acknowledged a software bug causing persistent Windows Security pop-ups that incorrectly indicate antivirus protection is disabled. These notifications began appearing after the latest Microsoft Defender Antivirus updates, but the antivirus is functioning correctly. The issue affects various versions of Windows and Windows Server with the latest Defender updates. Microsoft has committed to resolving the issue in a future update, though no timeline has been provided. Users are advised to verify the status of their antivirus through the Windows Security app and disregard the notifications until a fix is released.

Tech Optimizer

September 4, 2026

Microsoft Confirms False “Defender Antivirus Turned Off” Alerts Spreading Across Windows Devices

Microsoft has acknowledged a software bug in its Windows operating system that causes misleading pop-up notifications, indicating that antivirus protection is disabled. These alerts began appearing after the latest Microsoft Defender Antivirus updates, despite the antivirus functioning correctly. The notifications can occur at startup and intermittently, and cannot be silenced through standard notification controls. The issue affects various versions of Windows and Windows Server with the latest Defender updates. Microsoft is working on a resolution, but no timeline has been provided. Users are advised to verify their antivirus status through the Windows Security app and can ignore the notifications if real-time protection is confirmed as active.

Winsage

August 31, 2026

Windows 10 and 11 users are seeing a Defender warning that isn’t real

Recent updates to Microsoft Defender Antivirus have caused notifications to incorrectly indicate that "Microsoft Defender Antivirus is turned off," despite the software functioning normally. This issue affects various versions of Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server. Microsoft is aware of the bug and is working on a fix, but no specific release date has been announced.

Winsage

August 27, 2026

The Windows 10 deadline most ISVs haven’t planned for yet

Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016 and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2016 LTSB will reach their end of support on October 13, 2026, after which they will no longer receive security updates. These operating systems are designed for fixed-function devices like kiosks and point-of-sale terminals, which are often not actively managed, posing risks if the end-of-support date is overlooked. Microsoft offers an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program as a temporary solution, with escalating costs over three years, but it is not intended as a long-term fix. Customers must decide whether to continue paying for ESU, upgrade to newer hardware, or transition away from Windows.

Winsage

August 22, 2026

Microsoft’s Windows 10 cutoff could push 400 million working PCs toward e-waste heap

Microsoft will end standard support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, affecting an estimated 400 million PCs that may not meet the new eligibility criteria for Windows 11, which include TPM 2.0, UEFI Secure Boot, and modern processors. This could lead to a potential increase of 1.6 billion pounds of electronic waste if these devices are discarded. Users may need to invest in new hardware or alternative operating systems, despite their current machines still functioning adequately. Microsoft offers an Extended Security Updates program until October 12, 2027, and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC, which will be supported until January 2032. Users can also consider transitioning to Linux or ChromeOS Flex for older computers.

Winsage

August 17, 2026

Windows Server 2022 reaches end of mainstream support in 60 days

Microsoft has announced that the mainstream end date for Windows Server 2022 is set for October 13, 2026, after which it will enter extended support until October 14, 2031. Windows Server 2022 became generally available in September 2021 and is part of the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) offering, which guarantees a decade of support. Microsoft recommends upgrading to Windows Server 2025, which will be generally available in November 2024, and will reach its end of support on November 13, 2029, with five years of extended support until November 14, 2034. A free 180-day trial of Windows Server 2025 is available. Additionally, hotpatching for Windows Server 2022 will be extended until October 2027 for Datacenter: Azure Edition systems. The free Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) program has been extended by an additional year, and Windows 11 23H2 Enterprise and Education editions will end updates on November 10, 2026, with a recommendation to upgrade to Windows 11 25H2.

Winsage

August 16, 2026

Microsoft releases new Defender update for Windows 11, 10, Server ISO installations

Microsoft released its August 2026 Patch Tuesday updates, including the latest Defender package for ISO installations. The updates are aimed at combating malware threats and are issued approximately every three months for Windows installation images (WIM and VHD) and ISOs. The latest Windows 11 update is available through the Media Creation Tool (MCT). The security definitions were delivered through security intelligence update version 1.455.50.0, applicable to various platforms including Windows 11, Windows 10 ESU, Windows Server 2022, and others. The update includes enhancements to the anti-malware client, engine, and signature versions, with platform version 4.18.26070.9, engine version 1.1.26070.7, and security intelligence version 1.455.50.0. The previous security intelligence update was version 1.447.236.0, which introduced detections for various malware types. The most recent intelligence update is version 1.457.181.0.

Winsage

August 15, 2026

Windows 11 24H2, Windows Server 2022, Windows 10 Ent. LTSB 2016 get 60-day cut off warnings

Microsoft has issued a 60-day notice regarding the end-of-life dates for several products, following a previous 90-day warning. Mainstream support for Windows Server 2022 will end on October 13, 2026, affecting all editions. Users of Windows 11 version 24H2 Home and Pro, as well as Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016, will stop receiving updates. Microsoft recommends upgrading to Windows Server 2025, with an extended support phase lasting until October 14, 2031, for those unable to upgrade immediately. Windows 11 version 24H2 users must upgrade to version 25H2 to continue receiving updates, while Enterprise and Education variants will have a grace period until October 2027. Organizations using Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016 should transition to Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC 2024, with Extended Security Updates available for purchase for those who remain on the older system. A 180-day evaluation build of Windows Server 2025 can be downloaded for compatibility testing.

Winsage

August 6, 2026

Windows 10 LTSC 2021 has five months before security updates cost extra

Microsoft has announced that support for Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 will end on January 12, 2027, coinciding with the release of a final security update. Organizations can enroll in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program to maintain security updates beyond this date, which will cost per device in Year 1, with prices doubling each subsequent year until the program ends on January 8, 2030. ESU sales will start on September 1, 2026, and licenses are cumulative. The ESU program does not cover Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC, which is supported until January 13, 2032. Organizations using Microsoft’s cloud-based update services can receive a 25 percent discount on the Year 1 price. As of July, 16.9 percent of monitored devices were still running Windows 10, with migration to Windows 11 stalling due to compatibility issues and hardware requirements.

Winsage

July 23, 2026

Microsoft making a new feature mandatory requirement for Windows KMS activation

Microsoft has introduced enhancements to its Windows operating system security, including an update to Entra ID authentication with default passkeys and AI-enhanced security updates. A key advancement is the KMS Hardware-Secured initiative, which uses Trusted Platform Module (TPM)-based attestation to ensure KMS hosts operate on trusted hardware for Windows volume activation. This aims to combat risks from counterfeit KMS servers. Under the new model, KMS hosts will confirm their hardware identity using TPM before activating Windows devices. Starting in August 2026, Windows Server 2025 will provide readiness messaging for KMS host compliance with new security requirements. TPM attestation will be mandatory for KMS Hardware-Secured activation with the upcoming Windows Server 2028 LTSC release. Organizations are advised to prepare for this transition.