LTSC Archives

Winsage

September 21, 2026

Microsoft: September updates break File History backup feature

Microsoft has issued a caution regarding the File History backup feature in Windows, indicating potential functionality issues on certain systems after installing the September 2026 security updates. Users may experience application crashes related to FileHistory.exe and KERNELBASE.dll, and may be unable to create or update backups. Misleading messages such as “Reconnect your drive” may appear, and the “Last Backup” timestamp may fail to update. Affected Windows versions include Windows 10 21H2 or later, Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2016/2019, and Windows 11 23H2 and later. Microsoft has acknowledged ongoing issues related to the September 2026 updates and is working on solutions.

Winsage

September 16, 2026

Windows Server 2022 Nears End of Mainstream Support

Organizations using Windows Server 2022 will lose mainstream support on October 13, 2026, although security updates will continue through extended support until October 2031. Customers are encouraged to plan for an upgrade to Windows Server 2025 to avoid potential security vulnerabilities and complications in future migrations. Microsoft recommends early evaluation and testing of Windows Server 2025 to ensure compatibility and smooth transition. Additionally, support for the Azure Edition’s hotpatching capability has been extended to October 2027, providing some customers more time to strategize their migration. However, remaining on Windows Server 2022 means missing out on new features and enhancements.

Winsage

September 16, 2026

Windows Server 2022 reaches end of mainstream support next month

Microsoft has announced that mainstream support for Windows Server 2022 will end next month, transitioning to an extended support phase that lasts until October 2031. Windows Server 2022 was released in September 2021 and will receive its final mainstream support update on October 13, 2026. After this date, it will continue to receive essential security updates at no extra cost until October 14, 2031. Hotpatching for Windows Server 2022 will be available until October 2027 for Datacenter: Azure Edition. Microsoft encourages administrators to upgrade to Windows Server 2025, which began rolling out to Windows Insiders in January 2024 and is expected to be generally available by November 2024. Windows Server 2025 will have mainstream support until November 13, 2029, followed by five years of extended support until November 14, 2034. A 180-day trial of Windows Server 2025 is available through the Microsoft Evaluation Center.

Winsage

September 15, 2026

Microsoft issues emergency Windows 11 update to fix its record-breaking patch

Microsoft has rolled out an emergency out-of-band update to address issues from its September Patch Tuesday update, which affected nearly 1,000 vulnerabilities and caused bugs in folder shares on Hyper-V-based Linux virtual machines, Remote Desktop Services sessions, and certain USB audio devices. The new update targets multiple versions of Windows 11 (26h1, 25H2, and 24H2) and also includes updates for Windows Server 2025, 2022, and LTSC versions of Windows 10 and Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2. In 2023, Microsoft has increasingly issued out-of-band updates, including four in January, two in March, and one in July, to resolve various issues.

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.